AUGUSTA - Gov. Janet Mills signed into law last week a bill sponsored by Rep. Jay McCreight, D-Harpswell, that will help address Maine's need for clinical behavioral health care services while also increasing the state's qualified counseling workforce.
LD 1920 will have Maine join the Counseling Compact, a multi-state agreement allowing professional counselors who are both licensed at the clinical level and residing in a member state to practice in other member states without needing multiple licenses. This will give out-of-state professionals relocating to Maine the ability start their practices without the current delays.
"We have a significant and increasing need for behavioral health care services in Maine, with many people waiting for help," said McCreight. "This new law will help eliminate barriers to interstate professional counseling practices, improve patient access to these services and ensure that the highest quality standards are maintained."
The bill was unanimously passed in the House and Senate before it was signed by Gov. Mills. The new law will go into effect 90 days after the current session of the Legislature adjourns.
McCreight, House chair of the Legislature's Marine Resources Committee and a member of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, is serving her fourth term in the Maine House and represents Harpswell, West Bath and northeastern Brunswick.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [McCreight], c. 812-1111