Resolve, To Provide Training on Autistic Behaviors to Crisis Professionals
Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 0800
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: BLAIS, BERUBE, GILMAN, WESTON, LEWIN, SHIELDS

Legislative Document 
No. 800 
S.P.279 
In Senate, February 20, 2003 
Resolve, To Provide Training on Autistic Behaviors to Crisis 
Professionals 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Senator BLAIS of Kennebec. 
Cosponsored by Representative BERUBE of Lisbon and 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Senators: GILMAN of Cumberland, WESTON of Waldo, Representatives: LEWIN of Eliot, 
SHIELDS of Auburn. 
Prinled on recycled paper 
Emergency 
Legislature 
do 
preamble. 
Whereas~ Acts 
not 
become 
effective 
and 
resolves 
of 
the 
until 
days 
after 
adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, funds 
have 
been 
appropriated 
Department 
of 
Behavioral 
and 
Developmental 
development of short-term residential services 
for 
use 
by 
the 
Services 
for 
the 
for children with 
mental retardation or autism: and 
Whereas, these funds are scheduled to lapse if not expended 
by July 1, 2003; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts 
create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution ')[ 
Maine 
and 
require 
the 
following 
legislation 
as 
immediately 
necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and 
safety; now, therefore, be it 
Sec. 1. Services for children with autistic disorders or mental 
retardation. 
Resolved: 
That. 
notwithstanding 
Public 
Law 
200L 
chapter 
439, 
Part 
A, 
the 
Department 
of 
Behavioral 
and 
Developmental 
Services 
shall 
use 
funds 
appropriated 
for 
the 
purpose 
of 
developing 
short-term 
residential 
services 
for 
children with mental retardation or autism in Public Law 200L 
chapter 439, 
Part 
A to 
address 
the crisis-related needs 
of 
children with autistic disorders or mental 
retardation. 
Th~ 
department shall provide 
training to 
reduce 
the 
reliance 
emergency rooms, crisis intervention teams and inpatient service~ 
by children with autistic disorders or mental retardation. 
The 
department may either provide the training or contract out this 
requirement 
through the request-for-proposal process, 
but 
the 
training must begin no later than May 1, 2003. 
Emergency clause. 
In Vlew of the emergency cited J.n 
the 
preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
Public Law 2001, chapter 439, Part A appropriated $150,000 
in fiscal year 2001-02 and $150,000 in fiscal year 2002-03 to be 
used by the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services 
for 
the 
development 
of 
short-term 
residential 
services 
for 
children with mental retardation or autism. 
Although a request 
for proposal was done, no contract was completed in fiscal year 
2001-02, and $150,000 lapsed to the General Fund. 
This resolve directs the department to provide training to 
reduce the reliance on emergency rooms, crisis intervention teams 
and inpatient services by children with autistic disorders or 
mental 
retardation. 
The 
department 
may 
either 
provide 
the 
training or contract out this requirement through a request for 
proposal. 
The training must begin no later than May 1, 2003.