Resolve, To Establish a Demonstration Project To Create Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Programs for Immigrant and Refugee Populations
Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 0037
Committee Amendment CA_A_S124 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to S.P. 17, L.D. 37, "Resolve, To 
Establish a Demonstration Project To Create Mental Health and 
Substance Abuse Treatment Programs 
for 
Immigrant 
and Refugee 
Populations" 
Amend the resolve by striking out the title and substituting 
the following: 
'Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services 
To 
Seek 
Federal 
Funding 
To 
Serve 
Immigrant 
and 
Refugee 
Populations 
in 
Heed 
of 
Mental 
Health 
and 
Substance 
Abuse 
Treatment' 
Further amend the resolve by striking out everything after 
the title and before the summary and inserting in its place the 
following: 
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts 
and 
Legislature 
do 
not 
become 
effective 
until 
adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
resolves 
of 
the 
days 
after 
Whereas, immigrants and refugees who have relocated to Maine 
are at considerable risk for mental illness and substance abuse; 
and 
Whereas, Maine's mental health system lacks the cultural 
diversity necessary to adequately respond to the needs of Maine's 
immigrant and refugee communities; and 
• Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts 
create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of 
Maine 
and 
require 
the 
following 
legislation 
as 
immediately 
necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and 
safety; now, therefore, be it 
Page l-LR0179(2) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~t::; 
~. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT A'to s. P. 17, L. D. 37 
Sec. 1. Department of Health and Human Services to seek federal 
funding to serve immigrant and refugee populations in need of mental 
health and substance abuse treatment. Resolved: 
That the Department 
of Health and Human Services shall seek funding from the federal 
Substance Abuse 
and Mental Health Services Administration in 
order to provide substance abuse and mental health treatment 
programs for immigrant or refugee persons residing in the State. 
If a federal grant is received for this purpose, the department 
may use the funding for development and operation of one or more 
programs on a 
statewide basis to serve immigrant or refugee 
persons who are in need of substance abuse or mental health 
treatment services in accordance with any federal restrictions or 
conditions placed upon the receipt of the funding; 
and be it 
further 
Sec. 2. Reporting date established. Resolved: 
That, by November 
15, 
2005, 
the Department of Health and Human Services shall 
report to the Joint Standing Committee 
on Health and Human 
Services and the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and 
Financial Affairs. 
The report is not limited to but must address: 
1. 
The progress the department has made in securing the 
federal funding identified in section 1 of this resolve; 
2. 
If funds have been received, the progress the department 
has made in developing the programs authorized in section 1 of 
this resolve; 
3. 
The staff development and training efforts involved with 
the programs; 
4. 
The location or locations of the programs; and 
5. 
The number of immigrant or refugee persons served to 
date. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the 
preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved. I 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ·A· to S. P. 17, L. D • 37 
SUMMARY 
This amendment changes the title and replaces the bill. 
It 
directs the Department of Health and Human Services to seek 
federal funding to provide substance abuse and mental health 
treatment programs for immigrant or refugee persons residing in 
the State and to provide a progress report to certain legislative 
committees. 
FISCAL .\"OTE REQl.!IRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/29/05 ~ae. 
LD37 
LR0179(02) 
Resolve, To Establish a Demonstration Project To Create Mental Health and Substance Abuse 
Treatment Programs for Immigrant and Refugee Populations 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "A, 
Committee: Appropriations and Financial Affairs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Potential current biennium cost increase - Federal Expenditures Fund 
Potential current biennium revenue increase - Federal Expenditures Fund 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Any additional costs to the Department of Health and Human Services in implementing this bill can be absorbed by 
the department utilizing existing resources. If the department secures additional federal grants for this purpose, the 
Office of Substance Abuse account is assumed to have sufficient federal allocation to spend such funds and, if 
necessary, can seek additional federal allocation through the financial order process. 
LR0179(2) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1