AUGUSTA - Rep. Laura Supica, D-Bangor, introduced LD 968, Resolve, To Expand Mental Health Crisis Intervention Mobile Response Services, before the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services on Monday. The bill earned the support of the Bangor Police Department, who submitted testimony in support of the measure.
The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to expand mental health crisis intervention mobile response units to provide 24/7 services to the entire state. The department is directed to do this using funding provided in the proposal for behavioral health crisis center services.
"Right now, we rely on the criminal justice system to care for individuals dealing with non-acute mental health crises," said Supica. "This is not an effective or fiscally responsible response to the issue. That's why I've proposed LD 968, so that we can to properly invest in county-based services that better support individuals in crisis. By expanding mobile response units in Maine, we can alleviate the burden placed on law enforcement officers, save municipalities money and better serve those in need."
The committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.
Supica, a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs, is serving her first term in the Maine House of Representatives. She represents part of Bangor.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Supica], c. 812-1111