Resolve, To Assist Families with Substance Abuse Issues Reference to theCornmittee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 7JI4~ 1/7. 7J?!I£;1wlw~(l
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0941
Sponsors: BEAUDETTE, SULLIV AN, BOLAND, CONNOR, PRATT

MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE 
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124th MAl E LEGISLATURE 
Legislative Document 
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No. 941 
H.P.644 
House of Representatives, March 10,2009 
Resolve, To Assist Families with Substance Abuse Issues 
Reference to theCornmittee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
7JI4~ 1/7. 7J?!I£;1wlw~(l 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative BEAUDETTE ofBiddefard. (BY REQUEST) 
Cosponsored by Senator SULLIV AN of Yark and 
Representatives: BOLAND of Sanford, CONNOR of Kennebunk, JOYofCrystal, PRATT of 
Eddington. 
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Printed on recycled pilpcr 
Sec. 1. Involuntary treatment of adults with substance abuse treatment 
needs. Resolved: That the Departrrlent of Health and Human Services, Office of 
Substance Abuse shall develop a· plan· for a parent-initiated process of involuntary 
treatment for adults with addiction and substance abuse treatment needs; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Plan. Resolved: That, in developing the plan, the Department of Health 
and Human Services, Office of Substance Abuse shall evaluate options for the process of 
involuntary treatment and-consider the following elements: 
1. A court-ordered process that may be initiated only by a parent of the adult for 
whom substance abuse treatment is being sought; 
2. A process that includes an examination by a qualified medical professional for 
the person for whom treatment is being sought to ascertain the extent of substance use, 
.abuse or addiction and to certify the need for involuntary treatment; 
3. Custody, transportation, responsibility for payment and emergency procedures 
related to the involuntary treatment as well as provisions for discharge planning for 
inpatient treatment and plans for continuity of care; 
4. Provisions to protect the rights of the person subject to the involuntary treatment 
process; and 
5. Guidelines governing the court order, including the review and duration of the 
order, as well as guidelines for the court hearing and appeals process; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Report recommendations. Resolved: That the Department of Health 
and Human Services, Office of Substance Abuse shall present the plan and 
recommendations, including any necessary legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee 
on Health and Human Services by January 1, 2010. The joint standing committee is 
authorized to submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve requires the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of 
Substance Abuse to develop a plan and recommendations, including any necessary 
legislation, for a parent-initiated process of involuntary treatment for adults with 
addiction and substance abuse treatment needs. It requires the office to submit the plan 
and legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services by 
January 1, 2010 and authorizes the joint standing committee to submit a bill to the Second 
Regular Session of the 124th Legislature. 
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