An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council Regarding Respectful Language
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1845
Amends: 4 MRSA §152, 5 MRSA §1642, 5 MRSA §4553-A, 5 MRSA §12004-I, 5 MRSA §12004-J, 5 MRSA §20005, 34-B MRSA §17001, 34-B MRSA §1223, 12 MRSA §10853, 15 MRSA §101-D, 15 MRSA §103, 17-A MRSA §253, 17-A MRSA §255-A, 17-A MRSA §260, 18-A MRSA §5, 19-A MRSA §701, 20-A MRSA §7001, 20-A MRSA §7258, 22 MRSA §1-A, 22 MRSA §42, 22 MRSA §802, 22 MRSA §812, 22 MRSA §1714-A, 22 MRSA §1812-B, 22 MRSA §1826, 22 MRSA §2053, 22 MRSA §3172-B, 22 MRSA §3174-I, 22 MRSA §3186, 22 MRSA §3187, 22 MRSA §3573, 22 MRSA §5104, 22 MRSA §5106, 22 MRSA §5304, 22 MRSA §5310, 22 MRSA §6110, 22 MRSA §6111, 22 MRSA §7302, 22 MRSA §7942, 22 MRSA §8752, 22-A MRSA §101, 22-A MRSA §203, 22-A MRSA §206, 22-A MRSA §207, 30-A MRSA §1561, 30-A MRSA §4349-A, 30-A MRSA §4722, 32 MRSA §63-A, 34-A MRSA §1001, 34-A MRSA §1206, 34-A MRSA §3031, 34-B MRSA §1001, 34-B MRSA §1207, 34-B MRSA §1208, 34-B MRSA §1218, 34-B MRSA §1402, 34-B MRSA §1407, 34-B MRSA §1408, 34-B MRSA §1431, 34-B MRSA §5001, 34-B MRSA §5002, 34-B MRSA §5003-A, 34-B MRSA §5004, 34-B MRSA §5005, 34-B MRSA §5201, 34-B MRSA §5206, 34-B MRSA §5431, 34-B MRSA §5432, 34-B MRSA §5433, 34-B MRSA §5434, 34-B MRSA §5435, 34-B MRSA §5437, 34-B MRSA §5438, 34-B MRSA §5461, 34-B MRSA §5462, 34-B MRSA §5467, 34-B MRSA §5468, 34-B MRSA §5469, 34-B MRSA §5470-B, 34-B MRSA §5474, 34-B MRSA §5475, 34-B MRSA §5476, 34-B MRSA §5477, 34-B MRSA §5478, 34-B MRSA §5601, 34-B MRSA §5602, 34-B MRSA §5603, 34-B MRSA §5604, 34-B MRSA §5604-A, 34-B MRSA §5605, 34-B MRSA §5606, 34-B MRSA §5610, 34-B MRSA §6001, 34-B MRSA §6201, 34-B MRSA §6205, 36 MRSA §1760, 36 MRSA §2551, 36 MRSA §2552, 36 MRSA §2557, 36 MRSA §2559, 36 MRSA §2871

Legislative Document 
No. 1845 
S.P. 640 
In Senate, March 6, 2012 
An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Department of 
Health and Human Services and the Maine Developmental 
Disabilities Council Regarding Respectful Language 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reported by Senator McCORMICK of Kennebec for the Joint Standing Committee on 
Health and Human Services pursuant to Public Law 2011, chapter 186, Part B, section 3. 
JOSEPH G. CARLETON, JR. 
Secretary of the Senate 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, treating a person with intellectual disabilities with respect, including in 
the language that is used in referring to the person, to the system of delivering services 
and to the services, offices and personnel of the Department of Health and Human 
Services, is important to the dignity of the person and should be accomplished at the 
earliest possible time; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
PART A 
Sec. A-1.  4 MRSA §152, sub-§4, as corrected by RR 2001, c. 2, Pt. A, §2, is 
amended to read: 
4.  Exclusive jurisdiction.  Original jurisdiction, not concurrent with that of the 
Superior Court, of mental health commitment hearings under Title 34-B, chapter 3, 
subchapter 4, mental retardation intellectual disability certification hearings under Title 
34-B, chapter 5, habitual truancy actions under Title 20-A, chapters 119 and 211 under 
which equitable relief may be granted and small claims actions under Title 14, chapter 
738; 
Sec. A-2.  5 MRSA §1642, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 96, is amended to 
read: 
6.  Social service.  "Social service" means any children's, youth, adult or elderly 
service and alcoholism, community action, developmental disability, drug or substance 
abuse, home-heating assistance, juvenile, mental health, mental retardation intellectual 
disability, older Americans, poverty, rehabilitation, transportation, weatherization or 
other social service that may be defined in the future and that is operated by the 
departments or the division utilizing state-administered funds, including related health 
and medical services and income supplementation programs. 
Sec. A-3.  5 MRSA §4553-A, sub-§1, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 385, §3, is 
amended to read: 
B.  Without regard to severity unless otherwise indicated:  absent, artificial or 
replacement limbs, hands, feet or vital organs; alcoholism; amyotrophic lateral 
sclerosis; bipolar disorder; blindness or abnormal vision loss; cancer; cerebral palsy; 
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Crohn's disease; cystic fibrosis; deafness or 
abnormal hearing loss; diabetes; substantial disfigurement; epilepsy; heart disease; 
HIV or AIDS; kidney or renal diseases; lupus; major depressive disorder; 
mastectomy; mental retardation intellectual disability; multiple sclerosis; muscular 
dystrophy; paralysis; Parkinson's disease; pervasive developmental disorders; 
rheumatoid arthritis; schizophrenia; and acquired brain injury; 
Sec. A-4.  5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§66, as amended by PL 2003, c. 417, §1 and 
affected by §4, is further amended to read: 
66.   
Sec. A-5.  5 MRSA §12004-J, sub-§15, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, §3 and 
affected by c. 695, Pt. D, §3, is amended to read: 
15.   
Sec. A-6.  5 MRSA §20005, sub-§6, as amended by PL 2007, c. 116, §§3 and 4, 
is further amended to read: 
6.  Contracts and licensing.  Through the director: 
A.    Administer all contracts with community service providers for the delivery of 
alcohol and drug abuse services;  
A-1.    Administer all contracts with community service providers for the delivery of 
gambling addiction counseling services; and 
B.    Establish operating and treatment standards and inspect and issue certificates of 
approval for approved treatment facilities, drug abuse treatment facilities or 
programs, including residential treatment centers, community-based service providers 
and facilities that are private nonmedical institutions pursuant to section 20024 and 
subchapter 5. 
The commissioner may delegate contract and licensing duties under this subsection to the 
Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Corrections or other 
divisions of the department as long as that delegation ensures that contracting for alcohol 
and other drug abuse services provided in community settings are consolidated within the 
Department of Health and Human Services, that contracting for alcohol and other drug 
abuse services delivered within correctional facilities are consolidated within the 
Mental Health and 
Mental 
Retardation 
Intellectual 
Disability 
Maine 
Developmental 
Disabilities Council 
Expenses Only 
34-B MRSA §17001 
Mental Health and 
Mental 
Retardation 
Intellectual 
Disability 
Maine 
Developmental 
Services Oversight 
and Advisory Board 
Per diem for 
noncompensated 
members, as 
specified by board 
rule or policy, and 
expenses for all 
members of the 
board 
34-B MRSA §1223 
Department of Corrections and that contracting for alcohol and other drug abuse services 
delivered within mental health and mental retardation facilities or as a component of 
programs serving persons with intellectual disabilities or autism are consolidated within 
the department. 
The commissioner may not delegate contract and licensing duties if that delegation results 
in increased administrative costs. 
The commissioner may not issue requests for proposals for existing contract services until 
the commissioner has adopted rules in accordance with the Maine Administrative 
Procedure Act to ensure that the reasons for which existing services are placed out for bid 
and the performance standards and manner in which compliance is evaluated are 
specified and that any change in provider is accomplished in a manner that fully protects 
the consumer of services. 
The commissioner shall establish a procedure to obtain assistance and advice from 
consumers of alcohol and other drug abuse services regarding the selection of contractors 
when requests for proposals are issued; 
Sec. A-7.  12 MRSA §10853, sub-§7, ¶A, as repealed and replaced by PL 2005, 
c. 397, Pt. C, §10, is amended to read: 
A.  Clients of the Department of Health and Human Services who reside in licensed 
facilities for persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism or 
licensed facilities for the treatment of mental illness; 
Sec. A-8.  15 MRSA §101-D, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 268, §3, is 
amended to read: 
4.  Commitment for observation.  The court may commit the defendant to the 
custody of the Commissioner of Health and Human Services for placement in an 
appropriate institution for the care and treatment of people with mental illness or mental 
retardation in an appropriate residential program that provides care and treatment for 
persons who have intellectual disabilities or autism, as set forth in this subsection. 
A.  If the State Forensic Service determines that observation of the defendant in an 
appropriate institution for the care of people with mental illness or mental retardation 
in an appropriate residential program that provides care and treatment for persons 
who have intellectual disabilities or autism will materially enhance its ability to 
perform an evaluation ordered pursuant to subsection 1, 2, 3 or 9, the State Forensic 
Service shall so advise the court.  The State Forensic Service may make this 
determination based upon consultation with the defendant’s attorney and the attorney 
for the State and the court and upon such other information as it determines 
appropriate.  In addition, the State Forensic Service may include such a determination 
in a report to the court that recommends further evaluation of the defendant. 
B.  Upon a determination by the State Forensic Service under paragraph A, a court 
having jurisdiction in a criminal case may commit the defendant to the custody of the 
Commissioner of Health and Human Services for placement in an appropriate 
institution for the care and treatment of people with mental illness or mental 
retardation in an appropriate residential program that provides care and treatment for 
persons who have intellectual disabilities or autism for observation for a period not to 
exceed 60 days.  If the State Forensic Service requires additional time for 
observation, it shall communicate its request and the reasons for that request to the 
court and to counsel for the parties.  The court shall accommodate a party's request to 
be heard on the issue of whether an extension should be granted and may extend the 
commitment for up to an additional 90 days.  Unless the defendant objects, an order 
under this paragraph must authorize the institution or residential program where the 
defendant is placed by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services to provide 
treatment to the defendant.  When further observation of the defendant is determined 
no longer necessary by the State Forensic Service, the commissioner shall report that 
determination to the court and the court shall terminate the commitment. 
C.  If the court has provided for remand to a correctional facility following the 
commitment under paragraph B, the correctional facility shall execute the remand 
order upon advice from the Commissioner of Health and Human Services that 
commitment is determined no longer necessary. 
Sec. A-9.  15 MRSA §101-D, sub-§5, ¶A, as amended by PL 2011, c. 464, §1, is 
further amended to read: 
A.  Commit the defendant to the custody of the Commissioner of Health and Human 
Services to be placed in an appropriate institution for the care and treatment of people 
with mental illness or mental retardation in an appropriate residential program that 
provides care and treatment for persons who have intellectual disabilities or autism 
for observation, care and treatment.  At the end of 30 days or sooner, and again in the 
event of recommitment, at the end of 60 days and one year, the State Forensic Service 
shall forward a report to the Commissioner of Health and Human Services relative to 
the defendant's competence to stand trial and its reasons.  The Commissioner of 
Health and Human Services shall without delay file the report with the court having 
jurisdiction of the case.  The court shall without delay set a date for and hold a 
hearing on the question of the defendant's competence to stand trial and receive all 
relevant testimony bearing on the question.  If the court determines that the defendant 
is not competent to stand trial, but there does exist a substantial probability that the 
defendant will be competent to stand trial in the foreseeable future, the court shall 
recommit the defendant to the custody of the Commissioner of Health and Human 
Services to be placed in an appropriate institution for the care and treatment of people 
with mental illness or mental retardation in an appropriate residential program that 
provides care and treatment for persons who have intellectual disabilities or autism 
for observation, care and treatment.  When a person who has been evaluated on 
behalf of the court by the State Forensic Service is committed into the custody of the 
Commissioner of Health and Human Services under this paragraph, the court shall 
order that the State Forensic Service share any information that it has collected or 
generated with respect to the person with the institution or residential program in 
which the person is placed.  If the defendant is charged with an offense under Title 
17-A, chapter 9, 11 or 13 or Title 17-A, section 506-A, 802 or 803-A and the court 
determines that the defendant is not competent to stand trial and there does not exist a 
substantial probability that the defendant can be competent in the foreseeable future, 
the court shall dismiss all charges against the defendant and, unless the defendant is 
subject to an undischarged term of imprisonment, order the Commissioner of Health 
and Human Services to commence involuntary commitment proceedings pursuant to 
Title 34-B, chapter 3, subchapter 4 or chapter 5, subchapter 3.  If the defendant is 
charged with offenses not listed in the previous sentence and the court determines 
that the defendant is not competent to stand trial and there does not exist a substantial 
probability that the defendant can be competent in the foreseeable future, the court 
shall dismiss all charges against the defendant and, unless the defendant is subject to 
an undischarged term of imprisonment, notify the appropriate authorities who may 
institute civil commitment proceedings for the individual.  If the defendant is subject 
to an undischarged term of imprisonment, the court shall order the defendant into 
execution of that sentence and the correctional facility to which the defendant must 
be transported shall execute the court's order; or 
Sec. A-10.  15 MRSA §103, first ¶, as amended by PL 2009, c. 268, §4, is further 
amended to read: 
When a court accepts a negotiated plea of not criminally responsible by reason of 
insanity or when a defendant is found not criminally responsible by reason of insanity by 
jury verdict or court finding, the judgment must so state.  In those cases the court shall 
order the person committed to the custody of the Commissioner of Health and Human 
Services to be placed in an appropriate institution for the care and treatment of persons 
with mental illness or mental retardation in an appropriate residential program that 
provides care and treatment for persons who have intellectual disabilities or autism for 
care and treatment.  Upon placement in the appropriate institution or residential program 
and in the event of transfer from one institution or residential program to another of 
persons committed under this section, notice of the placement or transfer must be given 
by the commissioner to the committing court. 
Sec. A-11.  17-A MRSA §253, sub-§2, ¶J, as amended by PL 2011, c. 423, §2, 
is further amended to read: 
J.  The actor owns, operates or is an employee of an organization, program or 
residence that is operated, administered, licensed or funded by the Department of 
Health and Human Services and the other person, not the actor's spouse, receives 
services from the organization, program or residence and the organization, program 
or residence recognizes the other person as a person with mental retardation an 
intellectual disability or autism.  It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this 
paragraph that the actor receives services for mental retardation an intellectual 
disability or autism or is a person with mental retardation an intellectual disability, as 
defined in Title 34-B, section 5001, subsection 3, or autism, as defined in Title 34-B, 
section 6002.  Violation of this paragraph is a Class C crime; 
Sec. A-12.  17-A MRSA §255-A, sub-§1, ¶¶Q and R, as corrected by RR 
2003, c. 2, §26, are amended to read: 
Q.  The actor owns, operates or is an employee of an organization, program or 
residence that is operated, administered, licensed or funded by the Department of 
Health and Human Services and the other person, not the actor's spouse, receives 
services from the organization, program or residence and the organization, program 
or residence recognizes that other person as a person with mental retardation an 
intellectual disability or autism.  It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this 
paragraph that the actor receives services for mental retardation an intellectual 
disability or autism or is a person with mental retardation an intellectual disability, as 
defined in Title 34-B, section 5001, subsection 3, or autism, as defined in Title 34-B, 
section 6002.  Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime; 
R.  The actor owns, operates or is an employee of an organization, program or 
residence that is operated, administered, licensed or funded by the Department of 
Health and Human Services and the other person, not the actor's spouse, receives 
services from the organization, program or residence and the organization, program 
or residence recognizes that other person as a person with mental retardation an 
intellectual disability or autism and the sexual contact includes penetration.  It is an 
affirmative defense to prosecution under this paragraph that the actor receives 
services for mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism or is a person with 
mental retardation an intellectual disability, as defined in Title 34-B, section 5001, 
subsection 3, or autism, as defined in Title 34-B, section 6002.  Violation of this 
paragraph is a Class C crime; 
Sec. A-13.  17-A MRSA §260, sub-§1, ¶I, as amended by PL 2005, c. 450, §3, is 
further amended to read: 
I.    The actor owns, operates or is an employee of an organization, program or 
residence that is operated, administered, licensed or funded by the Department of 
Health and Human Services and the other person, not the actor's spouse, receives 
services from the organization, program or residence and the organization, program 
or residence recognizes that other person as a person with mental retardation an 
intellectual disability or autism.  It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this 
paragraph that the actor receives services for mental retardation an intellectual 
disability or autism or is a person with mental retardation an intellectual disability, as 
defined in Title 34-B, section 5001, subsection 3, or autism, as defined in Title 34-B, 
section 6002.  Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime; 
Sec. A-14.  18-A MRSA §5-601, sub-§(a), as enacted by PL 1979, c. 540, §1, is 
amended to read: 
(a).    In any case in which a guardian or conservator may be appointed by the court 
under this Article, the court may appoint a public guardian or conservator as provided in 
this Part for persons who are mentally retarded and for incapacitated persons as defined in 
section 5-101, paragraph subsection (1), who are in need of protective services. 
Sec. A-15.  18-A MRSA §5-601, sub-§(b), as amended by PL 2005, c. 397, Pt. 
A, §12, is further amended to read: 
(b).    The Department of Health and Human Services shall act as the public guardian 
or conservator for persons with mental retardation and for other incapacitated persons in 
need of protective services. 
Sec. A-16.  18-A MRSA §5-606, as corrected by RR 2003, c. 2, §29 and amended 
by PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §§6 and 7, is further amended to read: 
§5-606.  Officials authorized to act as public guardian or conservator 
(a).    When the Department of Health and Human Services is appointed public 
guardian or conservator of a person with mental retardation, the authority of the public 
guardian or conservator must be exercised by the Commissioner of Health and Human 
Services and by any persons duly delegated by the commissioner to exercise such 
authority. 
(b).    When the Department of Health and Human Services is appointed public 
guardian or conservator of an incapacitated person, the authority of the public guardian or 
conservator shall must be exercised by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services 
and by any persons duly delegated by him the commissioner to exercise such authority. 
(c).    Persons duly delegated by the officials authorized to act under subsections (a) 
and subsection (b) may include a staff of competent social workers, or competent social 
workers assigned to the public guardian or conservator by the Department of Health and 
Human Services. In the event that the delegation is to an individual, such individual must 
be qualified therefor by reason of education or experience, or both, in administering to the 
needs of the individual or individuals over whom the individual is to exercise 
administrative or supervisory authority under the public guardian. 
Sec. A-17.  18-A MRSA §5-608, as amended by PL 1995, c. 395, Pt. G, §6 and 
affected by §20, is repealed. 
Sec. A-18.  18-A MRSA §5-609, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 540, §1, is amended to 
read: 
§5-609.  No change in rights to services 
The appointment of a public guardian or conservator in no way enlarges or 
diminishes the ward's or protected person's right to services made available to all 
mentally retarded or incapacitated persons in the State except for the provision of 
guardianship or conservatorship services as provided under this Article. 
Sec. A-19.  18-A MRSA §5-613, sub-§(2), as amended by PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. 
CCC, §6 and PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6, is further amended to read: 
(2).    Exception.  The Division of Mental Retardation or the Department of Health 
and Human Services is not liable for the costs set out in subsection (1) if the division or 
the department can demonstrate that the allegedly incapacitated person has assets against 
which the costs may be assessed or that another more appropriate funding source is 
available and subject to the court's jurisdiction. 
Sec. A-20.  19-A MRSA §701, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 
and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read: 
3.  Persons legally determined to be incapacitated under the law.  A person who 
is impaired by reason of mental illness or mental retardation to the extent that that person 
lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make, communicate or implement 
responsible decisions concerning that person's property or person is not capable of 
contracting has been found to be an incapacitated person, as defined in Title 18-A, section 
5-101, subsection (1), by a court of competent jurisdiction and for whom a guardian or 
limited guardian has been appointed may not contract marriage without the approval of 
the appointed guardian.  For the purposes of this section: For persons under limited 
guardianship, this subsection applies only if the court has granted the specific power to 
contract for marriage to the guardian. 
A.  "Mental illness" means a psychiatric or other disease that substantially impairs a 
person's mental health; and 
B.  "Mental retardation" means a condition of significantly subaverage intellectual 
functioning resulting in or associated with concurrent impairments in adaptive 
behavior and manifested during the developmental period. 
Sec. A-21.  20-A MRSA §7001, sub-§1-B, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 662, 
Pt. A, §15, is amended to read: 
B.  For children at least 3 years of age and under 20 years of age evaluated in 
accordance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 United 
States Code, Section 1414, subsections (a) to (c) as measured by both standardized, 
norm-referenced diagnostic instruments and appropriate procedures with delays or 
impairments such that the children need special education: 
(1)  A child at least 3 years of age and under 6 years of age with a significant 
developmental delay, at the discretion of the intermediate educational unit or 
school administrative unit, as defined in rules adopted by the department, in one 
or more of the following areas:  cognitive development; physical development, 
including vision and hearing; communication development; social or emotional 
development; adaptive development; or 
(2)  A child with at least one of the following: 
(a)  Mental retardation Intellectual disability; 
(b)  Hearing impairment, including deafness; 
(c)  Speech or language impairment; 
(d)  Visual impairment, including blindness; 
(e)  Serious emotional disturbance; 
(f)  Orthopedic impairment; 
(g)  Autism; 
(h)  Traumatic brain injury; 
(i)  Other health impairment; 
(j)  Specific learning disabilities; 
(k)  Deafness and blindness; and 
(l)  Multiple disabilities. 
Sec. A-22.  20-A MRSA §7258, sub-§§1-A and 1-B, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 
778, §1 and amended by PL 2001, c. 354, §3 and PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6, are further 
amended to read: 
1-A.  Care manager.  Within 2 years before the date that a student with mental 
retardation an intellectual disability, serious emotional disturbance or other 
developmental disabilities will graduate or finish school, the Department of Health and 
Human Services, in consultation with the pupil evaluation team of the school 
administrative unit, shall designate a case manager to participate in transition planning for 
that student.  The case manager shall convene an adult services transition team, ensure 
interagency coordination and access to adult services, serve as a single contact person for 
the student transitioning into the adult services and attend pupil evaluation team meetings 
or provide relevant information to the pupil evaluation team for transition planning 
purposes. 
1-B.  Annual report.  Beginning January 1, 1999 and annually thereafter, the 
department, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services, shall 
report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health 
and human services matters and to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs regarding transition planning for the 
adult services system and the number of persons 16 years of age or older on waiting lists 
for services for persons with autism or mental retardation intellectual disabilities provided 
by or under the authority of the department and the Department of Health and Human 
Services. 
Sec. A-23.  22 MRSA §1-A, sub-§3 is enacted to read: 
3.  Intermediate care facility for persons with intellectual disabilities.  
"Intermediate care facility for persons with intellectual disabilities" has the same meaning 
as in Title 34-B, section 1001, subsection 4-B. 
Sec. A-24.  22 MRSA §42, sub-§1-A, as amended by PL 1983, c. 284, §1, is 
further amended to read: 
1-A.  Administration of medication.  The administration of medication in boarding 
care facilities, drug treatment centers, day care facilities, children's homes and nursery 
schools and group home intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded shall 
persons with intellectual disabilities must be in accordance with rules established by the 
department.  In other facilities licensed or approved by the department, excluding those 
facilities licensed under section 1811, other than group home intermediate care facilities 
for the mentally retarded persons with intellectual disabilities, the department may 
establish rules for the administration of medication as it deems considers necessary.  In 
establishing rules for each type of facility, the department shall consider, among other 
factors, the general health of the persons likely to receive medication, the number of 
persons served by the facility and the number of persons employed at the facility who 
might be involved in the administration of medication.  Any rules for the administration 
of medication shall must be established in accordance with the Maine Administrative 
Procedure Act, Title 5, chapter 375. 
Sec. A-25.  22 MRSA §802, sub-§4-A, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 185, §2, is 
amended to read: 
A.  "Designated health care facility" means a licensed nursing facility, residential care 
facility, intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded persons with intellectual 
disabilities, multi-level health care facility, hospital or home health agency. 
Sec. A-26.  22 MRSA §812, sub-§1, ¶G, as amended by PL 2005, c. 383, §12, is 
further amended to read: 
G.  Undergoing a comprehensive medical assessment by the State Forensic Service.  
The court, in selecting the examination site, shall consider proximity to the court, 
availability of an examiner and the need to protect the public health.  No person may 
be presented for examination under this subsection without arrangements for 
examination having first been made by the court, clerk of the court or the petitioner 
with the State Forensic Service.  The opinion of the State Forensic Service must be 
reported to the court forthwith following the examination. 
The court shall order the individual to be further examined by a psychiatrist, 
neurologist and any additional expert if, based on the report of the State Forensic 
Service, it appears that: 
(1)  The individual suffers from a mental disease or defect that causes the 
individual to act in such a manner as to endanger others with risk of infection 
with a communicable disease; or 
(2) Further observation or examination is required. 
If, based on the examinations, the department determines that admission to an 
appropriate institution for the mentally ill persons with mental illness or mentally 
retarded a residential program for persons with intellectual disabilities is necessary, it 
shall petition for involuntary hospitalization pursuant to Title 34-B, chapter 3.  If the 
District Court orders the involuntary hospitalization of the individual pursuant to 
Title 34-B, chapter 3, the petition brought pursuant to section 811 must be dismissed 
without prejudice.  If it is determined that admission to an appropriate institution for 
the mentally ill persons with mental illness or the mentally retarded a residential 
program for persons with intellectual disabilities is not necessary, the head of the 
institution where the examinations have taken place shall notify the commissioner or 
the commissioner's designee, prior to discharging the respondent. 
In no event may the period of examination pursuant to this subsection exceed 60 days 
without further order by the court, which may extend commitment for further 
observation or examination for an additional 60 days, provided that the court finds 
facts sufficient to show that the individual suffers from a mental disease or defect that 
causes the individual to act in such a manner as to endanger others with risk of 
infection with a communicable disease; and 
Sec. A-27.  22 MRSA §1714-A, sub-§1, ¶F, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 9, Pt. G, 
§4, is amended to read: 
F.  "Nursing home" means any facility that meets the definition of section 1812-A, 
including an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded persons with 
intellectual disabilities. 
Sec. A-28.  22 MRSA §1812-B, as amended by PL 1983, c. 284, §2, is further 
amended to read: 
§1812-B.  Hospitals and nursing homes 
The administration of medication in facilities licensed under section 1811, except 
group home intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded persons with intellectual 
disabilities, may be delegated to unlicensed personnel when such personnel have received 
appropriate training and instruction and the programs of training and instruction have 
been approved by the State Board of Nursing. The administration of medication in group 
home intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded persons with intellectual 
disabilities may be performed by unlicensed personnel when these personnel have 
received appropriate training and instruction and the programs of training and instruction 
have been approved by the department.  Delegation of the administration of medication 
shall does not require the personal presence of the delegating professional nurse at the 
place where this service is performed, unless that personal presence is necessary to assure 
that medications are safely administered. The board shall issue such rules concerning 
delegation as it deems considers necessary to insure the highest quality of health care to 
the patient. The department shall issue such rules as it deems considers necessary to 
insure the highest quality of health care to residents of group home intermediate care 
facilities for the mentally retarded persons with intellectual disabilities. 
Sec. A-29.  22 MRSA §1826, sub-§2, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 291, §1, is 
amended to read: 
B.  Each contract or agreement shall must contain a complete copy of the department 
rules establishing residents' rights and shall must contain a written acknowledgement 
that the resident has been informed of those rights.  In the case of a mentally retarded 
or otherwise incompetent individual, the written acknowledgement of those rights 
shall be made by a representative of the resident If a resident is under full 
guardianship, there must be a written acknowledgement of the receipt of those rights 
by the guardian. If a resident is under limited guardianship, both the resident and the 
guardian must acknowledge receipt of the rights. All notices and information 
regarding rights must be written in language that is plain and understandable.  No 
provision in the contract or agreement may negate, limit or otherwise modify any 
provision of the residents' rights. 
Sec. A-30.  22 MRSA §2053, sub-§2-A, as repealed and replaced by PL 1995, c. 
179, §1, is amended to read: 
2-A.  Community health or social service facility.  "Community health or social 
service facility" means a community-based facility that provides medical or medically 
related diagnostic or therapeutic services, mental health or mental retardation services, 
services for persons with intellectual disabilities or autism, substance abuse services or 
family counseling and domestic abuse intervention services, and is licensed by the State. 
Sec. A-31.  22 MRSA §3172-B, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1981, c. 493, §2 and 
PL 1995, c. 560, Pt. K, §82 and affected by §83 and amended by PL 2001, c. 354, §3 and 
PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6, is further amended to read: 
1.  Fund. All moneys money received by the department under section 3172 which 
are that is generated by services rendered at any of the mental health and mental 
retardation institutions operated by that department shall must be credited to the General 
Fund. 
Sec. A-32.  22 MRSA §3172-B, sub-§4, as amended by PL 1979, c. 293, Pt. B, 
§1, is further amended to read: 
4.  Budget. Those mental health programs and mental retardation those programs 
providing services for persons with intellectual disabilities or autism receiving legislative 
approval for funding for fiscal year 1979 shall must be considered current services by the 
Bureau of the Budget. 
Sec. A-33.  22 MRSA §3174-I, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. FF, 
§12, is further amended to read: 
2.  Assessment for mental illness, intellectual disability, autism or related 
conditions.  The department shall assess every applicant to a nursing facility to screen for 
mental retardation and mental illness, intellectual disability, autism or other related 
conditions in accordance with the Federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, 
Public Law 100-203, Section 4211 federal Nursing Home Reform Act, Public Law 100-
203, Section 4211, 42 United States Code, Section 1396r.  Such assessments are intended 
to increase the probability that any individual who is mentally retarded has an intellectual 
disability, autism or other related condition or mentally ill a mental illness will receive 
active treatment for that individual's mental condition. 
Sec. A-34.  22 MRSA §3186, last ¶, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 869, §1, is 
amended to read: 
Principles of reimbursement established for intermediate care facilities for the 
mentally retarded shall persons with intellectual disabilities must be amended to 
implement the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Staff Retention.  These 
amendments shall become effective on April 1, 1989. 
Sec. A-35.  22 MRSA §3187, as amended by PL 2011, c. 380, Pt. XXX, §1, is 
further amended to read: 
§3187.  Principles of reimbursement; rules 
The department shall meet annually with providers of community-based intermediate 
care facilities for the mentally retarded persons with intellectual disabilities to review 
current principles of reimbursement under the federal Social Security Act, Title XIX, 42 
United States Code, Chapter 7, and discuss necessary and appropriate changes. 
Principles of reimbursement established for intermediate care facilities for the 
mentally retarded persons with intellectual disabilities must ensure maximum flexibility 
enabling facilities to shift variable cost funds within accounts established pursuant to the 
principles.  These principles may not set any artificial limits on specific variable cost 
accounts as long as facility totals are met. 
Rules regarding principles of reimbursement for intermediate care facilities for the 
mentally retarded persons with intellectual disabilities adopted pursuant to section 3173 
are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A, except that 
rules adopted to establish an approval process for capital expenditures to renovate or 
construct intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded persons with intellectual 
disabilities are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
Sec. A-36.  22 MRSA §3573, sub-§1, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 602, §1, is 
amended to read: 
B.  "Mental and physical impairments" include includes, but are is not limited to, the 
following conditions: mental retardation intellectual disability, autism, cerebral palsy, 
Asperger syndrome, mental illness, Prader-Willi syndrome and epilepsy. 
Sec. A-37.  22 MRSA §5104, sub-§5-A, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 329, §9, is 
amended to read: 
5-A.  Dependent adult.  "Dependent adult" means any adult who is wholly or 
partially dependent upon one or more other persons for care or support, either emotional 
or physical, and who would be in danger if that care or support were withdrawn.  For the 
purpose of this Part only, the term "dependent adult" excludes any adult who is mentally 
retarded. 
Sec. A-38.  22 MRSA §5104, sub-§7-A, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 329, §12, is 
amended to read: 
7-A.  Incapacitated adult.  "Incapacitated adult" means any adult who is impaired 
by reason of mental illness, mental deficiency, physical illness or disability to the extent 
that the adult lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make or communicate 
responsible decisions concerning that individual's person, or to the extent the adult cannot 
effectively manage or apply that individual's estate to necessary ends.  For the purpose of 
this Part only, the term "incapacitated adult" excludes any adult who is mentally retarded. 
Sec. A-39.  22 MRSA §5106, sub-§2, ¶E, as amended by PL 1989, c. 329, §16, 
is further amended to read: 
E.    Conducting a continuous evaluation of the impact, quality and value of facilities, 
programs and services, including their administrative adequacy and capacity. 
Activities operated by or with the assistance of the State and Federal Governments 
shall must be evaluated. Activities to be included, but to which the bureau shall is not 
be limited, are those relating to education, employment and vocational services, 
income, health, housing, transportation, community, social, rehabilitation, protective 
services and public guardianship or conservatorship for older people and 
incapacitated and dependent adults and programs such as the supplemental security 
income program, Medicare, Medicaid, property tax refunds and the setting of 
standards for the licensing of nursing, intermediate care and boarding homes. 
Included shall be are activities as authorized by this and so much of the several Acts 
and amendments to them enacted by the people of the State, and those authorized by 
United States Acts and amendments to them such as the: 
(1)  Elderly Householders Tax and Rent Refund Act of 1971; 
(2)  Priority Social Services Act of 1973; 
(3)  Chapter 470 of the public laws of 1969 creating the State Housing Authority; 
(4)  United States Social Security Act of 1935; 
(5)  United States Housing Act of 1937; 
(6)  United States Older Americans Act of 1965; 
(7)  United States Age Discrimination Act of 1967; 
(8)  Home Based Care Act of 1981; 
(9)  Congregate Housing Act of 1979; 
(10)  Adult Day Care Services Act of 1983; 
(11)  Adult Day Care Licensing Act of 1987; 
(12)  Adult Protective Services Act of 1981; and 
(13)  The Uniform Probate Code, Title 18-A; 
(14) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; 
(15) The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000; 
and 
(16) The ADA Amendments Act of 2008; 
Sec. A-40.  22 MRSA §5106, sub-§11-B, as amended by PL 2003, c. 653, §21, is 
further amended to read: 
11-B.  Adult protective services.  Administer a program of protective services as 
provided in chapter 958-A designed to protect incapacitated and dependent adults, other 
than adults who are mentally retarded, from abuse, neglect, exploitation and physical 
danger.  The program is described in the Adult Protective Services Act; 
Sec. A-41.  22 MRSA §5304, sub-§1-A is enacted to read: 
1-A.  Adult developmental services.  "Adult developmental services" has the same 
meaning as in Title 34-B, section 1001, subsection 1-A. 
Sec. A-42.  22 MRSA §5310, sub-§9, as enacted by PL 1973, c. 793, §12, is 
amended to read: 
9.    Carry on a continuing evaluation of the social services programs and activities 
affecting Maine's residents, to determine the needs and priorities for types of social 
services; the types of services available; the number, location and characteristics of 
people served by each type of service; the amount, type and source of resources 
supporting types of services, the administrative adequacy and capacity of social service 
agencies; and the quality and quantity of types of social services; as well as to determine 
the value and impact of programs operated by or administered with the assistance of the 
State and Federal Governments; including social services as authorized by this and the 
several Acts and amendments to them enacted by the People of the State of Maine; and 
those authorized by these United States Acts and amendments to them; the Social 
Security Act of 1935, the Economic Opportunity Act of 1965, and similar Acts. Such 
human services to be included, but to which the bureau shall is not be limited, are those 
relating to education, employment and vocational services, income, health, housing, 
community, mental health, mental retardation adult developmental, social, transportation 
and rehabilitation services for people, except older people. Maintaining statistical 
information through use of uniform methods, which are reasonable, feasible and 
economically efficient, shall must be specified for use by public and private agencies, 
organizations and individuals assisted by state or federal funds pursuant to this Part; 
Sec. A-43.  22 MRSA §6110, 4th ¶, as repealed and replaced by PL 1975, c. 523, 
§1, is amended to read: 
Services for the Mentally Retarded Persons with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism; 
Sec. A-44.  22 MRSA §6111, sub-§4, as amended by PL 1977, c. 317, §3, is 
further amended to read: 
4.  Maximum state share of cost. State funds appropriated for priority social 
services may be used to pay a portion of expenditures under each agreement for each type 
of social service in an amount not to exceed the maximum percentage for state funds of 
100% of the total expenditures for each type of priority social service as specified below. 
One hundred percent funding shall must be available for not more than 2 years 
consecutively or in total. State funds appropriated for priority social services may be used 
to pay a portion of expenditures under each agreement for each type of social service in 
an amount not to exceed the maximum percentage for state funds of the total expenditures 
for each type of priority social service as specified below when programs have been 
funded for a total of 2 years, consecutively or in total. The maximum percentage of state 
funds of the total expenditures for each type of service shall may not exceed:  
75% for homemaker service;  
75% for developmental day care, including family day care;  
75% for services for the mentally retarded persons with intellectual disabilities or autism;  
75% for meals for older people;  
75% for mental health services;  
75% for transportation services;  
75% for health and home care needs for the elderly.  
Sec. A-45.  22 MRSA §6111, sub-§5, as amended by PL 1981, c. 608, §3, is 
further amended to read: 
5.  Maximum use of nonstate resources. State funds paying a portion only of 
expenditures for priority social services shall be are valid only when "earned" or 
"matched" by expenditure of nonstate resources, which may be cash or in-kind. The 
expenditure of such resource shall must be in an amount at least equal to the minimum 
percentage for nonstate resources of the total expenditures for each type of priority social 
services as specified below. The minimum percentage for nonstate resources of the total 
expenditures for each type of service shall be is:  
25% for homemaker service;  
25% for developmental day care, including family day care;  
25% for services for the mentally retarded persons with intellectual disabilities or autism;  
25% for meals for older people;  
25% for mental health services;  
25% for transportation services;  
25% for health and home care needs for the elderly.  
Nonstate resources authorized to qualify to earn or match state funds shall include private 
funds such as gifts, grants, fees for service or contributions; in-kind resources that are 
actual out-of-pocket expenditures; or actual loss of revenue related directly and 
essentially as an integral part of the operation of a priority social service; and public 
revenues such as municipal taxes, a municipal or county amount of federal revenue 
sharing funds, other appropriate federal resources and state revenue sharing funds and 
such other public resources as may be received by, generated by or available to a 
municipal or county government or other political subdivision or quasi-governmental 
bodies.  
Sec. A-46.  22 MRSA §7302, sub-§6, as amended by PL 2001, c. 596, Pt. B, §10 
and affected by §25, is further amended to read: 
6.  Institutional settings. "Institutional settings" means residential care facilities, 
licensed pursuant to chapter 1664; intermediate care and skilled nursing facilities and 
units and hospitals, licensed pursuant to chapter 405; and state institutions for individuals 
who are mentally ill or mentally retarded or who have a mental illness or who have 
intellectual disabilities or autism or other related conditions. 
Sec. A-47.  22 MRSA §7942, sub-§7, as amended by PL 2003, c. 634, §8, is 
further amended to read: 
7.  State licensing rules.  "State licensing rules" refers to the department's rules 
governing the licensing and functioning of nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities 
for persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities and assisted living programs 
or residential care facilities. 
Sec. A-48.  22 MRSA §8752, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2009, c. 358, §1, is 
further amended to read: 
2.  Health care facility.  "Health care facility" or "facility" means a state institution 
as defined under Title 34-B, chapter 1 or a health care facility licensed by the division, 
except that it does not include a facility licensed as a nursing facility or licensed under 
chapter 1664. "Health care facility" includes a general and specialty hospital, an 
ambulatory surgical facility, an end-stage renal disease facility and an intermediate care 
facility for persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or other developmental 
disabilities. 
Sec. A-49.  22-A MRSA §101, sub-§1-A is enacted to read: 
1-A.  Adult developmental services.  "Adult developmental services" has the same 
meaning as in Title 34-B, section 1001, subsection 1-A. 
Sec. A-50.  22-A MRSA §203, sub-§1, ¶C, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. A, 
§1, is amended to read: 
C.  Mental retardation and developmental Developmental disability services; 
Sec. A-51.  22-A MRSA §206, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. N, §45, 
is amended to read: 
4.  Grievance procedures.  The commissioner shall establish procedures for hearing 
grievances of clients who receive mental health services or mental retardation adult 
developmental services or of children who receive behavioral health services.  The 
procedures must include the opportunity for a timely hearing before a state hearing 
examiner or an independent fair hearing examiner.  The commissioner may contract for 
the services of the hearing examiner, who shall conduct adjudicatory proceedings 
pursuant to the Maine Administrative Procedure Act. 
Sec. A-52.  22-A MRSA §207, sub-§7, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. N, §46, 
is amended to read: 
7.  Contracts with health care servicing entities.  The commissioner may enter into 
contracts with health care servicing entities for the financing, management and oversight 
of the delivery of mental health, mental retardation adult developmental and substance 
abuse services to clients pursuant to a state or federally sponsored health program in 
which the department participates or that the department administers.  For the purposes of 
this subsection, "health care servicing entity" means a partnership, association, 
corporation, limited liability company or other legal entity that enters into a contract with 
the State to provide or arrange for the provision of a defined set of health care services; to 
assume responsibility for some aspects of quality assurance, utilization review, provider 
credentialing and provider relations or other related network management functions; and 
to assume financial risk for provision of such services to clients through capitation 
reimbursement or other risk-sharing arrangements.  "Health care servicing entity" does 
not include insurers or health maintenance organizations. In contracting with health care 
servicing entities, the commissioner: 
A.  Shall include in all contracts with the health care servicing entities standards, 
developed in consultation with the Superintendent of Insurance, to be met by the 
contracting entity in the areas of financial solvency, quality assurance, utilization 
review, network sufficiency, access to services, network performance, complaint and 
grievance procedures and records maintenance; 
B.  Prior to contracting with any health care servicing entity, must have in place a 
memorandum of understanding with the Superintendent of Insurance for the 
provision of technical assistance, which must provide for the sharing of information 
between the department and the superintendent and the analysis of that information 
by the superintendent as it relates to the fiscal integrity of the contracting entity; 
C.  May require periodic reporting by the health care servicing entity as to activities 
and operations of the entity, including the entity’s activities undertaken pursuant to 
commercial contracts with licensed insurers and health maintenance organizations;  
D.  May share with the Superintendent of Insurance all documents filed by the health 
care servicing entity, including documents subject to confidential treatment if the 
information is treated with the same degree of confidentiality as is required of the 
department; and 
E.  May make all necessary rules for the administration of contracts with health care 
servicing entities. All rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical 
rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
Sec. A-53.  30-A MRSA §1561, sub-§1, ¶E, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 201, §1, 
is amended to read: 
E.  Is an inpatient at a state-funded mental health or mental retardation facility or is a 
resident at a state-funded facility for individuals with adult developmental 
disabilities; 
Sec. A-54.  30-A MRSA §4349-A, sub-§1, ¶C, as amended by PL 2001, c. 613, 
§2, is further amended to read: 
C.  Areas other than those described in paragraph A or B for the following projects: 
 (1)  A project certified to the Land and Water Resources Council established in 
Title 5, section 3331 by the head of the agency funding the project as necessary 
to remedy a threat to public health or safety or to comply with environmental 
clean-up laws; 
 (2)  A project related to a commercial or industrial activity that, due to its 
operational or physical characteristics, typically is located away from other 
development, such as an activity that relies on a particular natural resource for its 
operation; 
 (3)  An airport, port or railroad or industry that must be proximate to an airport, a 
port or a railroad line or terminal; 
 (4)  A pollution control facility; 
 (5)  A project that maintains, expands or promotes a tourist or cultural facility 
that is required to be proximate to a specific historic, natural or cultural resource 
or a building or improvement that is related to and required to be proximate to 
land acquired for a park, conservation, open space or public access or to an 
agricultural, conservation or historic easement; 
 (6)  A project located in a municipality that has none of the geographic areas 
described in paragraph A or B and that prior to January 1, 2000 formally 
requested but had not received from the office funds to assist with the preparation 
of a comprehensive plan or that received funds to assist with the preparation of a 
comprehensive plan within the previous 2 years. This exception expires for a 
municipality 2 years after such funds are received; 
 (7)  A housing project serving the following: individuals with mental illness, 
mental retardation, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, brain injuries, 
substance abuse problems or a human immunodeficiency virus; homeless 
individuals; victims of domestic violence; foster children; or children or adults in 
the custody of the State.  A nursing home is not considered a housing project 
under this paragraph; or 
 (8)  A project certified to the Land and Water Resources Council established in 
Title 5, section 3331 by the head of the agency funding the project as having no 
feasible location within an area described in paragraph A or B if, by majority 
vote of all members, the Land and Water Resources Council finds that 
extraordinary circumstances or the unique needs of the agency require state funds 
for the project.  The members of the Land and Water Resources Council may not 
delegate their authority under this subparagraph to the staffs of their member 
agencies. 
Sec. A-55.  30-A MRSA §4722, sub-§2, ¶C, as amended by PL 1991, c. 511, Pt. 
B, §1 and PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6, is further amended to read: 
C.    Any nursing home or related institution licensed or subject to license by the 
Department of Health and Human Services under Title 22, section 1817, except 
intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded persons with intellectual 
disabilities and persons with related conditions or the construction, substantial 
rehabilitation or improvement of homeless shelter facilities that may be related to an 
institution licensed or subject to license by the Department of Health and Human 
Services under Title 22, section 1817. 
Sec. A-56.  32 MRSA §63-A, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. E, §1, 
is further amended to read: 
1.  Membership.  The Nursing Home Administrators Licensing Board, as established 
by Title 5, section 12004-A, subsection 23, consists of 7 members appointed by the 
Governor.  The members must be residents of this State.  One member must be a 
registered nurse with not less than 5 years of active practice in nursing homes in the State.  
Two members must be public members as defined in Title 5, section 12004-A.  Three 
members must be administrators of nursing homes with not less than 5 years of active 
experience in the State.  One member must be an administrator of an intermediate care 
facility for the mentally retarded persons with intellectual disabilities with not less than 5 
years of active practice in that capacity. 
Sec. A-57.  34-A MRSA §1001, sub-§1-B is enacted to read: 
1-B.  Adult developmental services.  "Adult developmental services" has the same 
meaning as in Title 34-B, section 1001, subsection 1-A. 
Sec. A-58.  34-A MRSA §1206, sub-§1, ¶D, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 459, §6, 
is amended to read: 
D.    "Human service" means any alcoholism, children's community action, 
corrections, criminal justice, developmental disability, donated food, education, 
elderly, food stamp, income maintenance, health, juvenile, law enforcement, legal, 
medical care, mental health, mental retardation adult developmental, poverty, public 
assistance, rehabilitation, social, substance abuse, transportation, welfare or youth 
service operated by a community agency under an agreement financially supporting 
the service, wholly or in part, by funds authorized for expenditure for the department. 
Sec. A-59.  34-A MRSA §3031, sub-§2, ¶A, as amended by PL 1995, c. 462, Pt. 
D, §6, is further amended to read: 
A.    A client is exempt from payment of medical and dental services fees and fees for 
prescriptions, medication or prosthetic devices when the client: 
(1)  Receives treatment initiated by facility staff; 
(2)  Is a juvenile; 
(3)  Is pregnant; 
(4)  Is seriously mentally ill or developmentally disabled a person with a serious 
mental illness or developmental disability.  For the purposes of this paragraph, 
"seriously mentally ill" or "developmentally disabled" "a person with a serious 
mental illness or developmental disability" means a client who, as a result of a 
mental disorder or developmental disability, exhibits emotional or behavioral 
functioning that is so impaired as to interfere substantially with the client's 
capacity to remain in the general prison population without supportive treatment 
or services of a long-term or indefinite duration, as determined by the facility's 
psychiatrist or psychologist; 
(5)  Is an inpatient at a state-funded mental health or mental retardation facility or 
is a resident at a state-funded facility for individuals with adult developmental 
disabilities; 
(6)  Is undergoing follow-up treatment; 
(7)  Receives emergency treatment as determined by the facility's medical or 
dental staff; or 
(8)  Has less than $15 in the client's facility account and did not receive 
additional money from any source for 6 months following the medical or dental 
service or provision of the prescription, medication or prosthetic device. 
Sec. A-60.  34-B MRSA §1001, sub-§§1-A and 4-B are enacted to read: 
1-A.  Adult developmental services.  "Adult developmental services" means any 
support or assistance provided, licensed or funded in whole or in part by the department 
pursuant to chapter 5 or 6 to an adult with an intellectual disability or autism. 
4-B.  Intermediate care facility for persons with intellectual disabilities.  
"Intermediate care facility for persons with intellectual disabilities" means an 
intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded as defined in Section 1905(d) of the 
federal Social Security Act, 42 United States Code, Section 1396d(d) and its 
implementing regulations. 
Sec. A-61.  34-B MRSA §1207, sub-§3, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 459, §7, 
is repealed and the following enacted in its place: 
A.  A facility or a provider that receives funds from the department to provide 
services for persons eligible for such services under this Title shall send information 
and records to the commissioner, if requested by the commissioner pursuant to the 
department's obligation to maintain the overall responsibility for the care and 
treatment of persons receiving mental health services funded in full or in part by the 
State. 
Sec. A-62.  34-B MRSA §1208, sub-§1, ¶D, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 459, §7, 
is amended to read: 
D.  "Human service" means any alcoholism, children's community action, 
corrections, criminal justice, developmental disability, donated food, education, 
elderly, food stamp, income maintenance, health, juvenile, law enforcement, legal, 
medical care, mental health, mental retardation child and adult developmental, 
poverty, public assistance, rehabilitation, social, substance abuse, transportation, 
welfare or youth service operated by a community agency under an agreement 
financially supporting the service, wholly or in part, by funds authorized for 
expenditure by the department. 
Sec. A-63.  34-B MRSA §1208, sub-§1, ¶H, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 673, Pt. 
SSS, §1, is amended to read: 
H.  "Service provider" means a community agency providing services for children 
with mental health needs, mental retardation and intellectual disabilities or autism. 
Sec. A-64.  34-B MRSA §1208, sub-§7, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. SS, 
§1 and affected by §4, is amended to read: 
7.  Community agency staff retention.  The commissioner shall, through contracts 
and service agreements with community agencies, provide funding to retain qualified 
direct-care workers employed by community mental retardation services providers 
agencies providing services for children and adults with intellectual disabilities or autism. 
Sec. A-65.  34-B MRSA §1218, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1995, c. 560, Pt. K, 
§24, is further amended to read: 
2.  Services for persons with intellectual disabilities or autism.  The department 
shall provide accommodations and services ensuring access for persons who are deaf or 
hard-of-hearing to mental retardation programs funded or licensed by the department 
providing services for persons who have intellectual disabilities or autism.  These 
accommodations and services must include, but are not limited to, the following. 
A.  The department shall ensure the provision of appropriate assessments for clients 
who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.  Assessments must be performed by a person who is 
proficient in American Sign Language and must include an assessment of mental 
retardation intellectual disability or autism and an assessment of communication 
skills, including the capacity to communicate using American Sign Language.  The 
department shall survey the client population to determine which clients are deaf or 
hard-of-hearing. 
B.  For purposes of treatment, the department shall ensure the provision of interpreter 
services by a person proficient in American Sign Language. 
C.  The department shall ensure that mental retardation staff providing direct services 
to persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing have education and training in American 
Sign Language and deaf culture. 
D.  The department shall provide for the placement in comprehensive community 
mental retardation facilities of telecommunication devices for persons who are deaf 
or hard-of-hearing in any location that provides residential, employment or other 
community-based services for persons eligible under this Title. 
E.  The department shall ensure the provision of support and training for families 
with members with mental retardation who have an intellectual disability or autism 
who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. 
F.  The department shall establish therapeutic residence options for persons with 
mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism who are deaf or hard-of-hearing 
and in need of a residence.  The therapeutic residences must be operated in 
conjunction with existing rehabilitation, education, mental retardation treatment and 
housing and other community-based service resources.  The therapeutic residences 
must be staffed by individuals trained in mental retardation treatment providing 
services for persons with intellectual disabilities and autism and proficient in 
American Sign Language.  Therapeutic residence options must be flexible and allow 
for individual choice. 
G.  The department shall designate in each regional office one staff person who is 
responsible for the coordination of deaf services in that office.  The department shall 
provide ongoing training to regional office staff with the goal of having at least one 
person in each regional office who is proficient in American Sign Language. 
Sec. A-66.  34-B MRSA §1223, sub-§§1 and 8, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, 
§7 and affected by c. 695, Pt. D, §3, are amended to read: 
1.  Composition.  The Maine Developmental Services Oversight and Advisory 
Board, as established by Title 5, section 12004-J, subsection 15 and referred to in this 
section as “the board,” consists of 15 members appointed by the Governor from a list of 
nominees proposed by the board pursuant to procedures established in the rules of the 
board. 
A.  The board shall submit nominees to the Governor at least 90 days prior to the 
expected date of each vacancy. 
B.  In making nominations, the board shall endeavor to ensure adequate 
representation at all times from different service regions of the State and from 
interested stakeholder groups, including but not limited to: 
(1)  The protection and advocacy agency designated pursuant to Title 5, section 
19502; 
(2)  A statewide coalition that works to support and facilitate the ability of local 
and statewide self-advocacy organizations to network with each other and with 
national organizations; 
(3)  A nonprofit organization that serves teens and young adults in the State with 
emotional and intellectual disabilities; 
(4)  A statewide coalition that works to support and facilitate the ability of local 
and statewide self-advocacy organizations to network with each other and with 
national organizations; and 
(5)  The Maine Developmental Disabilities Council. 
C.  In making the nominations and appointments, the board and the Governor shall 
endeavor to ensure that at least 8 of the members of the board are persons with 
mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism or family members, guardians or 
allies of persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism who 
receive services funded by the Department of Health and Human Services.  Of these 
members, at least 4 must be persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or 
autism, referred to in this section as "self-advocates." 
Members of the board must include stakeholders involved in services and supports for 
persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism in the State and other 
individuals interested in issues affecting persons with mental retardation intellectual 
disabilities or autism.  Employees of the Department of Health and Human Services may 
not be appointed as members of the board. 
8.  Oversight and advisory functions.  The board shall: 
A.  Provide independent oversight over programs and services for adults with mental 
retardation intellectual disabilities or autism that are provided, authorized, funded or 
supported by the department or any other agency or department of State Government.  
The board shall focus on systemic concerns affecting the rights of persons with 
mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism, including but not limited to 
issues surrounding health and safety, inclusion, identification of needs and desires of 
persons eligible for services by the department, the timely meeting of the identified 
needs and effective and efficient delivery of services and supports; and 
B.  Provide advice and systemic recommendations to the commissioner, the Governor 
and the Legislature regarding policies, priorities, budgets and legislation affecting the 
rights and interests of persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or 
autism. 
Sec. A-67.  34-B MRSA §1223, sub-§9, ¶¶A and D, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 
356, §7 and affected by c. 695, Pt. D, §3, are amended to read: 
A.  The board shall hold at least one hearing or other forum each year that is open to 
the public in order to gather information about the availability, accessibility and 
quality of services available to persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities 
or autism and their families. 
D.  The board shall report at least annually to the Governor and the Legislature on its 
activities and recommendations regarding policies, priorities, budgets and legislation 
affecting the rights and interests of persons with mental retardation intellectual 
disabilities or autism.  The board's annual report must include the board's assessment 
of its operations and progress in addressing the priorities established pursuant to 
paragraph C.  The board's annual report must be made public and widely 
disseminated in a manner designed to inform interested stakeholders. 
Sec. A-68.  34-B MRSA §1223, sub-§10, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, §7 and 
affected by c. 695, Pt. D, §3, is amended to read: 
10.  Access to information.  The board is entitled to access to information from the 
department necessary to carry out its functions.  Except as provided in paragraphs B, C, D 
and E, information provided pursuant to this subsection may not contain personally 
identifying information about a person with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or 
autism. 
A.  The department shall provide the board, on a schedule to be agreed upon between 
the board and the department, reports on case management, reportable events, adult 
protective and rights investigations, unmet needs, crisis services, quality assurance, 
quality improvement, budgets and other reports that contain data about or report on 
the delivery of services to or for the benefit of persons with mental retardation 
intellectual disabilities or autism, including reports developed by or on behalf of the 
department and reports prepared by others about the department. 
B.  The chief advocate and the manager of adult protective services in the Office of 
Adults with Cognitive and Physical Disability Services within the department, when 
requested by the board or pursuant to a written agreement with the board, shall 
release to the board information pertaining to alleged abuse, exploitation or neglect or 
alleged dehumanizing practice or violation of rights of a person with mental 
retardation intellectual disabilities or autism.  The board shall maintain the 
confidentiality of information disclosed to it or discovered by it as required by section 
1207. 
C.  The board may request and review reports of actions taken by an entity to which a 
referral is made under subsection 9, paragraph F. If these reports are likely to reveal 
personally identifying information, the board shall conduct reviews in executive 
session and shall take all actions necessary and appropriate to preserve the 
confidentiality of the information. 
D.  The board may examine confidential information in individual records with 
written permission of the person or that person's guardian.  If the person or that 
person's guardian provides the board with written permission to examine confidential 
information, the board must maintain the confidentiality of the information as 
required by section 1207. 
E.  The board or the board's staff may receive and examine confidential information 
when otherwise authorized to do so by law, including but not limited to when serving 
on a committee established by the department for which access to such information is 
necessary to perform the function of the committee. 
Sec. A-69.  34-B MRSA §1402, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1995, c. 560, Pt. K, 
§27, is further amended to read: 
1.  Commissioner's duty.  In every state institution to which a person with mental 
illness or mental retardation an intellectual disability may be committed, the 
commissioner shall organize and administer the duties set forth in subsection 2. 
Sec. A-70.  34-B MRSA §1402, sub-§2, ¶C, as amended by PL 1995, c. 560, Pt. 
K, §27, is further amended to read: 
C.  Acquire and disseminate knowledge of mental disease, mental retardation 
intellectual disabilities, autism and allied other related conditions with a view to 
promoting a better understanding and the most enlightened public sentiment and 
policy in these matters, and in this work the department may cooperate with local 
authorities, schools and social agencies. 
Sec. A-71.  34-B MRSA §1407, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 459, §7, is amended to 
read: 
§1407.  Appointment of physician 
In every state institution to which a mentally ill or mentally retarded person with 
mental illness or a person with an intellectual disability or autism may be committed, the 
commissioner shall appoint a physician experienced in the care and treatment of such 
persons and the necessary assistants to the physician. 
Sec. A-72.  34-B MRSA §1408, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 459, §7, is amended to 
read: 
§1408.  Cooperation with state departments 
Whenever it is deemed determined advisable, the chief administrative officer of any 
institution providing services for the mentally ill or mentally retarded persons with mental 
illness, intellectual disabilities or autism may cooperate with state departments to 
examine upon request and recommend suitable treatment and supervision for: 
1.  Mental illness, intellectual disability or autism.  Persons thought to be mentally 
ill or mentally retarded have a mental illness, an intellectual disability or autism; and 
2.  Juvenile Court.  Children brought before any Juvenile Court. 
Sec. A-73.  34-B MRSA §1431, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 459, §7, is 
amended to read: 
2.  Requirements.  The chief administrative officer of any state institution, or a 
person designated by him the chief administrative officer, may place any person who has 
been hospitalized as mentally ill or mentally retarded based on a diagnosis of mental 
illness, intellectual disability or autism, except residents described in chapter 3, 
subchapter IV 4, Article II article 2, on indefinite convalescence status, if the officer or 
his the officer's designee determines that the residential facility in which the person will 
be residing is at least equivalent in the quality of living conditions to the state institution 
in which the person is hospitalized. 
Sec. A-74.  34-B MRSA §5001, sub-§1-B, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, §8 and 
affected by §31, is amended to read: 
1-B.  Correspondent.  "Correspondent" means a person designated by the Consumer 
Advisory Board or its successor to act as a next friend of a person with mental retardation 
an intellectual disability or autism. 
Sec. A-75.  34-B MRSA §5001, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 459, §7, is 
amended to read: 
2.  Incapacitated person.  "Incapacitated person" means any person who is impaired 
by reason of mental retardation intellectual disability or autism to the extent that he the 
person lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make, communicate or implement 
responsible personal decisions concerning his person or property or decisions regarding 
the person's property. 
Sec. A-76.  34-B MRSA §5001, sub-§2-A, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, §10 
and affected by §31, is amended to read: 
2-A.  Individual support coordinator.  "Individual support coordinator" means a 
regional staff member of the department with the responsibility for coordinating the 
personal planning and professional services for a person with mental retardation or autism 
eligible for adult developmental services under this Title. 
Sec. A-77.  34-B MRSA §5001, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1989, c. 73, §3, is 
further amended to read: 
3.  Intellectual disability.  "Mental retardation Intellectual disability" means a 
condition of significantly subaverage intellectual functioning resulting in or associated 
with concurrent impairments in adaptive behavior and manifested during the 
developmental period. 
Sec. A-78.  34-B MRSA §5001, sub-§3-A, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 73, §4, is 
repealed. 
Sec. A-79.  34-B MRSA §5001, sub-§3-B, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, §11 
and affected by §31, is amended to read: 
3-B.  Person.  "Person" means an adult with mental retardation an intellectual 
disability or autism. 
Sec. A-80.  34-B MRSA §5001, sub-§3-C, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, §12 
and affected by §31, is amended to read: 
3-C.  Personal planning.  "Personal planning" means a process that assists and 
supports each person with mental retardation who has an intellectual disability or autism 
in creating a vision for how to live in and be a part of the community. 
Sec. A-81.  34-B MRSA §5001, sub-§3-D, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, §13 
and affected by §31, is amended to read: 
3-D.  Personal planning team.  "Personal planning team" means the person with 
mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism, the person's guardian, if any, the 
person's individual support coordinator or case manager and other individuals chosen or 
identified by the person to participate in personal planning. 
Sec. A-82.  34-B MRSA §5002, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 459, §7, is amended to 
read: 
§5002.  Policy 
1.  Services.  It is the policy of the State to provide education, training and 
habilitative services to mentally retarded persons with intellectual disabilities or autism 
who need those services, except that nothing in this chapter may replace or limit the right 
of any mentally retarded person with an intellectual disability or autism to treatment by 
spiritual means alone, through prayer, if that treatment is requested by the person or by 
his the person's next of kin or guardian. 
2.  Setting.  It is the policy of the State that the setting for the services described in 
subsection 1 shall must, consistent with adequate care and treatment:  
A.  Impose the fewest possible restrictions on the liberty of mentally retarded persons 
with intellectual disabilities or autism; and 
B.  Be as close as possible to the patterns and norms of the mainstream of society. 
Sec. A-83.  34-B MRSA §5003-A, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, §16 and 
affected by §31, is amended to read: 
§5003-A.  System of care for clients with intellectual disabilities or autism 
1.  System of care.  The Legislature declares that the system of care through which 
the State provides services to and programs for persons with mental retardation 
intellectual disabilities or autism must be designed to protect the integrity of the legal and 
human rights of these persons and to meet their needs consistent with the principles 
guiding delivery of services as set forth in section 5610. 
2.  Responsibilities of the department.  To facilitate the development of a system 
that meets the needs of persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism, 
the commissioner shall: 
A.  Provide a mechanism for the identification, evaluation, treatment and 
reassessment of and the provision of services to persons with mental retardation 
intellectual disabilities or autism that is consistent with the principles guiding 
delivery of services, as set forth in section 5610, through appropriate personal 
planning offered to persons served by the department in accordance with section 
5470-B; 
B.  Identify the needs and desires of persons with mental retardation intellectual 
disabilities or autism through appropriate personal planning and record any unmet 
needs of persons served or eligible for service by the department for development of 
budget requests to the Governor that are adequate to meet such needs; 
C.  Provide programs, insofar as resources permit, for appropriate services and 
supports to persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism 
regardless of age, severity of need or ability to pay; 
D.  Support the establishment of community services for persons eligible to receive 
services from the department by promoting access to professional services in the 
person’s community. Such support may be provided directly or through contracts 
with qualified providers.  For persons who have professional service needs identified 
through personal planning, the department shall monitor the provision of those 
services; 
E.  Eliminate the department's own duplicative and unnecessary administrative 
procedures and practices in the system of care for persons with mental retardation 
intellectual disabilities or autism, encourage other departments to do the same and 
clearly define areas of responsibility in order to use present resources economically; 
F.  Strive toward having a sufficient number of personnel who are qualified and 
experienced to provide treatment that is beneficial to persons with mental retardation 
intellectual disabilities or autism; and 
G.  Encourage other departments to provide to persons with mental retardation 
intellectual disabilities or autism those services that are required by law, and in 
particular: 
(1)  The commissioner shall work actively with the Commissioner of Education 
to ensure that persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism 
receive appropriate services upon being diagnosed with either disability 
regardless of the degree of retardation or autism functional limitation or 
accompanying disabilities or handicaps; 
(2)  The commissioner shall advise other departments about standards and 
policies pertaining to administration, staff, quality of care, quality of treatment, 
health and safety of clients, rights of clients, community relations and licensing 
procedures and other areas that affect persons with mental retardation intellectual 
disabilities or autism residing in facilities licensed by the department; and  
(3)  The commissioner shall inform the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over human resources matters about areas where 
increased cooperation by other departments is necessary in order to improve the 
delivery of services to persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or 
autism. 
3.  Plan.  The commissioner shall prepare a plan pursuant to this subsection. 
A.  The plan must indicate the most effective and efficient manner in which to 
implement services and programs for persons with mental retardation intellectual 
disabilities or autism while safeguarding and respecting the legal and human rights of 
these persons. 
B.  The plan must be prepared once every 2 years and must be submitted to the joint 
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human 
services matters by no later than January 15th of every odd-numbered year. 
C.  The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health 
and human services matters shall study the plan and make recommendations to the 
Legislature with respect to funding improvements in programs and services to 
persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism. 
D.  The plan must describe the system of mental retardation intellectual disability and 
autism services in each of the mental retardation adult developmental service regions 
and statewide. 
E.  The plan must include both existing service resources and deficiencies in the 
system of services. 
F.  The plan must include an assessment of the roles and responsibilities of mental 
retardation intellectual disability and autism agencies, human service agencies, health 
agencies and involved state departments and suggest ways in which these 
departments and agencies can better cooperate to improve the service systems. 
G.  The plan must be made public within the State in such a manner as to facilitate 
public involvement. 
H.  The commissioner must ensure that the development of the plan includes the 
participation of community mental retardation intellectual disability and autism 
service providers, consumer and family groups and other interested persons or groups 
in annual statewide hearings, as well as informal meetings and work sessions. 
I.  The commissioner must consider community service needs, relate these identified 
needs to biennial budget requests and incorporate necessary service initiatives into a 
comprehensive planning document. 
4.  General Fund account; Medicaid match; intellectual disability; autism.  The 
commissioner shall establish a General Fund account to provide the General Fund match 
for mental retardation intellectual disability or autism Medicaid eligible services.  Any 
unencumbered balances of General Fund appropriations remaining at the end of each 
fiscal year must be carried forward to be used for the same purposes. 
5.  Medicaid savings.  Intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation 
intellectual disabilities or autism and providers of freestanding day habilitation programs 
shall submit payment to the department equal to 50% of any Medicaid savings due the 
State pursuant to the principles of reimbursement, as established under Title 22, sections 
3186 and 3187, that are reported in any unaudited cost report for fiscal years ending June 
30, 1995 and thereafter.  Payment is due with the cost report.  After audit, any amount 
submitted in excess of savings allocated to the facility or provider pursuant to the 
principles of reimbursement must be returned to the facility or provider.  Notwithstanding 
requirements or conditions contained in the principles of reimbursement, any amount due 
the State after final audit in excess of savings paid on submission of a cost report must be 
paid to the State within 90 days following receipt of the department's final audit report. 
6.  Required reporting by the department.  The department shall make available, 
on at least an annual basis, a report or reports regarding the services and support provided 
by the department to persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism. 
A.  The goal of the reporting under this subsection is to provide the public with 
information on outcome measures established by the department.  These measures 
may include, but are not limited to,  whether: 
(1)  Persons served by the department are healthy and safe; 
(2)  Needs of persons are being met; 
(3)  People are included in their communities; and 
(4)  The system of care under this section is efficient and effective. 
B.  At a minimum, the department’s report or reports under this subsection must offer 
information on the following: 
(1)  Unmet needs; 
(2)  Reportable events; 
(3)  Adult protective services; 
(4)  Crisis services; 
(5)  Persons’ and families’ satisfaction with services; 
(6)  Case management ratios; 
(7)  Evaluations of costs of services; 
(8)  Grievances; 
(9)  Quality assurance and quality improvement efforts; and 
(10)  New initiatives. 
C.  A report under this subsection must be provided to the joint standing committee 
of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters.  The 
commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall appear in person before the 
committee and shall present the report. The report must be posted on the 
department’s publicly accessible website and must be made easily available to 
persons served by the department, families, guardians, advocates, Legislators and the 
provider community. 
Sec. A-84.  34-B MRSA §5004, as corrected by RR 2003, c. 2, §103, is amended 
to read: 
§5004.  Sexual activity with recipient of services prohibited 
A person who owns, operates or is an employee of an organization, program or 
residence that is operated, administered, licensed or funded by the Department of Health 
and Human Services may not engage in a sexual act, as defined in Title 17-A, section 
251, subsection 1, paragraph C, with another person or subject another person to sexual 
contact, as defined in Title 17-A, section 251, subsection 1, paragraph D, if the other 
person, not the actor's spouse, is a person with mental retardation an intellectual disability 
or autism who receives therapeutic, residential or habilitative services from the 
organization, program or residence. 
Sec. A-85.  34-B MRSA §5005, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, §17 and 
affected by §31, is amended to read: 
1.  Establishment.  The Office of Advocacy, referred to in this section as "the 
office," is established within the department to provide the services described in 
subsection 3 to individuals with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism. 
Sec. A-86.  34-B MRSA §5005, sub-§2, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, §17 
and affected by §31, is amended to read: 
A.  The chief advocate shall report administratively to the commissioner and advise 
and consult with and inform the commissioner on the issues described in this section.  
The chief advocate shall provide the commissioner with regular reports on the 
office’s findings, conclusions and recommendations regarding individual and 
systemic violations of the rights of individuals with mental retardation intellectual 
disabilities or autism. 
Sec. A-87.  34-B MRSA §5005, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, §17 and 
affected by §31, is amended to read: 
3.  Duties.  The office, through the chief advocate and other advocates, shall: 
A.  Receive complaints made by or on behalf of individuals with mental retardation 
intellectual disabilities or autism and represent their interests in any matter pertaining 
to their rights and dignity; 
B.  Investigate the claims, grievances and allegations of violations of the rights of 
individuals with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism; 
C.  Intercede on behalf of individuals with mental retardation intellectual disabilities 
or autism with officials of any provider of service administered, licensed or funded 
by the department, except that the office may refuse to take action on any complaint 
that it considers to be trivial or moot or for which there is clearly another remedy 
available; 
D.  Assist individuals with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism in any 
hearing or grievance proceeding pertaining to their rights and dignity; 
E.  Refer individuals with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism to 
other agencies or entities and collaborate with those agencies or entities for the 
purpose of advocating for the rights and dignity of those individuals; 
F.  Act as an information source regarding the rights of all individuals with mental 
retardation intellectual disabilities or autism, keeping itself informed about all laws, 
administrative rules and institutional and other policies relating to the rights and 
dignity of those individuals and about relevant legal decisions and other 
developments related to the fields of mental health, mental retardation intellectual 
disabilities and autism, both in this State and in other parts of the country; and 
G.  Make and publish reports necessary to the performance of the duties described in 
this section.  The chief advocate may report findings of the office to groups outside 
the department, such as legislative bodies, advisory committees, commissions, law 
enforcement agencies and the press, and may authorize the advocates in the office to 
so communicate.  At least annually, the chief advocate shall report both in person and 
in writing to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
health and human services matters regarding the performance of the duties described 
in this section. 
Sec. A-88.  34-B MRSA §5005, sub-§4, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, §17 
and affected by §31, is amended to read: 
B.  An advocate has concerns regarding the rights or dignity of a person with mental 
retardation an intellectual disability or autism. 
Sec. A-89.  34-B MRSA §5005, sub-§6, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, §17 
and affected by §31, is amended to read: 
A.  Any request by or on behalf of an individual with mental retardation an 
intellectual disability or autism for action by the office and all written records or 
accounts related to the request are confidential as to the identity of the individual. 
Sec. A-90.  34-B MRSA §5005, sub-§7, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, §17 and 
affected by §31, is amended to read: 
7.  Protection for advocates.  Advocates may not be disciplined or sanctioned for 
any action taken pursuant to this section on behalf of individuals with mental retardation 
intellectual disabilities or autism. 
Sec. A-91.  34-B MRSA §5201, sub-§§2, 3 and 4, as amended by PL 2007, c. 
356, §18 and affected by §31, are further amended to read: 
2.  Statewide system.  The planning, promotion, coordination and development of a 
complete and integrated statewide system of services for adults with mental retardation 
intellectual disabilities or autism; 
3.  Liaison.  Serving as liaison, coordinator and consultant to the several state 
departments in order to develop the statewide system of services for adults with mental 
retardation intellectual disabilities or autism; 
4.  Community-based services.  Ensuring that adults with mental retardation 
intellectual disabilities or autism residing in community residential facilities, including 
nursing homes, boarding homes, foster homes, group homes or halfway houses licensed 
by the Department of Health and Human Services, are provided, insofar as possible, with 
residential accommodations and access to habilitation services appropriate to their needs;  
Sec. A-92.  34-B MRSA §5201, sub-§§6 and 7, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, 
§18 and affected by §31, are amended to read: 
6.  Individual support coordinators.  Providing persons with mental retardation 
intellectual disabilities or autism who are eligible for MaineCare services with case 
management services. 
A.  Case management services as defined in rules may be provided by qualified staff 
employed by the department or a contracted agency. 
B.  Unless otherwise specified in personal planning: 
(1)  Case managers shall maintain at least monthly contact with each person in 
order to ensure that the quality and availability of services and consumer 
satisfaction are maintained at a high level; and 
(2)  Visits to the person’s home must occur at least twice a year. 
C.  The department shall ensure that case managers maintain adequate written and 
electronic records to permit monitoring and accountability. 
D.  The department shall provide sufficient numbers of case managers and 
supervisors to fulfill the duties specified in this subsection and shall maintain an 
overall ratio of one case manager to every 35 people in each region. The ratio must be 
calculated separately for staff employed by the department and by contracted 
agencies, and this ratio must be maintained for each group; 
7.  Crisis and respite.  Provision of crisis and respite services to persons with mental 
retardation intellectual disabilities or autism in accordance with section 5206; and 
Sec. A-93.  34-B MRSA §5206, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, §19 and affected 
by §31, is amended to read: 
§5206.  Crisis and respite services 
The department shall provide crisis and respite services throughout the State in 
accordance with this section. 
1.  Crisis services.  The department shall maintain the capacity to intervene in 
personal crises that could lead to the loss of the home, program or employment of a 
person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism. Such capacity must 
include: 
A.  Assessment, consultation, planning, training and support for persons with mental 
retardation intellectual disabilities or autism and their families or allies both before 
and after a crisis occurs;  
B.  Providing staff support to prevent or respond to a crisis at the site of the crisis 
when appropriate; 
C.  Ensuring mental health supports when necessary, including access to a licensed 
mental health provider, inpatient treatment when indicated, psychiatric services and 
mental health aftercare services; and 
D.  Identifying appropriate professional services for the person in crisis. 
2.  Out-of-home services.  The department shall provide out-of-home services in 
accordance with this subsection. 
A.  The department shall maintain an adequate capacity to provide out-of-home 
safety and support by trained staff with appropriate professional backup resources for 
a person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism experiencing a 
crisis that cannot be safely managed at the person’s residence.  
B.  Unless otherwise specified in personal planning, crisis intervention services must 
be provided at a person’s home, program or workplace when prevention efforts are 
not successful.  The services must assist with admission to an appropriate out-of-
home service in the event that intervention in the home, program or workplace is 
inappropriate. 
3.  Transportation.  The department may not routinely use law enforcement entities 
to transport persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism in crisis. 
Transportation of persons in crisis by law enforcement personnel may occur only if such 
transportation has been specifically authorized by the person’s guardian or personal 
planning team or when determined by law enforcement personnel to be necessary to 
provide for the safety of the person or others. 
4.  Post-crisis review.  A post-crisis review must occur no more than 10 working 
days after any out-of-home crisis placement. The review must include significant 
providers and supporters, including appropriate members of the person’s planning team. 
The review must identify possible causes of the person’s crisis and must recommend for 
the personal planning team changes in the person’s environment, services and supports to 
prevent crises in the future. 
5.  Respite services.  The department shall maintain and fund a statewide respite 
system for planned or unplanned respite for persons with mental retardation intellectual 
disabilities or autism and their families. The department shall, when appropriate, use the 
natural supports of a person in the development of respite services. For purposes of this 
subsection, "natural supports" means those supports provided by persons who are not 
disability service providers but who provide assistance, contact or companionship to 
enable a person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism to participate 
independently in employment or other community settings. 
6.  Information regarding use.  The department shall maintain information 
regarding use of crisis and respite services sufficient to plan and budget for adequate 
crisis and respite services. The information must include an assessment of the needs, both 
met and unmet, for crisis and respite services. The department shall provide information 
regarding the availability of services under this section and the proper means to obtain 
them to persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism, their parents 
and allies, providers of services and other interested persons. 
7.  Training.  The department shall offer regular and ongoing information, 
consultation and training on crisis prevention and intervention and respite services to its 
own staff, providers, and persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or 
autism and their families, guardians, correspondents and allies. 
Sec. A-94.  34-B MRSA §5431, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 459, §7, is amended to 
read: 
§5431.  Purpose 
The purpose of this Article is to assist in the establishment and expansion of 
community-based mental retardation adult developmental services and programs for 
mentally retarded persons with intellectual disabilities or autism residing in the 
community and residing in privately-operated privately operated residential care 
facilities. 
Sec. A-95.  34-B MRSA §5432, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 459, §7, is 
amended to read: 
1.  Community participation.  Encourage persons in local communities to 
participate in the provision of supportive services for mentally retarded persons with 
intellectual disabilities or autism, so that persons in the community may have a better 
understanding of the need for those services; 
Sec. A-96.  34-B MRSA §5433, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 459, §7, is 
amended to read: 
2.  Services and programs.  Provide and help finance mental retardation adult 
developmental services and programs throughout the State for mentally retarded persons 
with intellectual disabilities or autism residing in the community and residing in 
privately-owned privately owned residential care facilities; 
Sec. A-97.  34-B MRSA §5433, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1985, c. 768, §6, is 
further amended to read: 
3.  Cooperation.  Cooperate with other state agencies, municipalities, other 
governmental units, unincorporated associations and nonstock corporations in order to 
provide and help finance services and programs for mentally retarded persons with 
intellectual disabilities or autism; 
Sec. A-98.  34-B MRSA §5434, sub-§§1 and 3, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 459, 
§7, are amended to read: 
1.  Authorization.  A municipality or other governmental unit, such as a county, 
school district or health district, through its local board of health or other town or 
governmental agency approved by the commissioner, may adopt and carry out a program 
of mental retardation adult developmental services established or approved by the 
commissioner and appropriate money for that purpose. 
3.  Grants.  Upon application to the department by a municipality or other 
governmental unit, the commissioner may grant to the applicant money to be used for 
carrying out its mental retardation adult developmental services, including any necessary 
capital expenditures or purchase of buildings. 
Sec. A-99.  34-B MRSA §5435, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 459, §7, is 
amended to read: 
1.  Department grants.  Upon application to the department by an unincorporated 
association or nonstock corporation organized for the improvement of community health 
and welfare, the commissioner may grant to the applicant money to be used for carrying 
out its mental retardation adult developmental services, including any necessary capital 
expenditures or purchase of buildings. 
Sec. A-100.  34-B MRSA §5435, sub-§2, ¶B, as amended by PL 1995, c. 560, 
Pt. K, §53, is further amended to read: 
B.  The department shall give consideration to the ability of the municipality or 
governmental unit to support the mental retardation adult developmental services, as 
reflected by the State's evaluation of the component communities. 
Sec. A-101.  34-B MRSA §5437, first ¶, as amended by PL 1995, c. 560, Pt. K, 
§54, is further amended to read: 
The department shall establish a contingency fund for use by community-based 
intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or 
autism and department clients residing in licensed boarding and foster homes or 
intermediate care facilities or participating in appropriate day treatment programs.  This 
fund must be used in accordance with the following provisions. 
Sec. A-102.  34-B MRSA §5437, sub-§3, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 486, §2, 
is amended to read: 
A.  Payment for special client assessment and treatment services not reimbursed 
through the principles of reimbursement for intermediate care facilities for the 
mentally retarded persons with intellectual disabilities or autism; 
Sec. A-103.  34-B MRSA §5438, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 152, §1, is amended 
to read: 
§5438.  Services for adults with diagnoses of intellectual disabilities or other 
developmental disabilities 
To the extent possible using available resources, the department shall provide adults 
with diagnoses of mental retardation intellectual disabilities and other developmental 
disabilities choices from among an array of supports and services, including but not 
limited to: employment supports, personal supports, day programs and residential 
services.  The department shall pursue appropriate resources for the supports and services 
needed by adults covered under this chapter. 
Sec. A-104.  34-B MRSA §5461, sub-§§1, 2, 4 and 5, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 
459, §7, are amended to read: 
1.  Advocate.  "Advocate" means a person:  
A.  Who is familiar with the procedures involved both in admitting mentally retarded 
persons to a facility and in providing services to those persons with intellectual 
disabilities or autism; and 
B.  Who is capable of advocating solely on behalf of a mentally retarded person with 
an intellectual disability or autism. 
2.  Client.  "Client" means a person asking the department for mental retardation 
adult developmental services or the person for whom those services are asked. 
4.  Comprehensive evaluation.  "Comprehensive evaluation" means a 
comprehensive set of evaluations which that:  
A.  Results in the distinguishing of mental retardation intellectual disabilities and 
autism from other conditions; 
B.  Determines the severity of disability resulting from mental retardation an 
intellectual disability or autism and other conditions; and 
C.  Estimates the degree to which mental retardation the intellectual disability or 
autism and other conditions can be ameliorated. 
5.  Facility.  "Facility" means a residential facility operated, administered, licensed or 
funded by the department to provide services for mentally retarded clients persons who 
have intellectual disabilities or autism. 
Sec. A-105.  34-B MRSA §5461, sub-§7-A, ¶C, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 580, 
§11, is amended to read: 
C.  A reasonable certainty that severe physical or mental impairment or injury will 
result to the mentally retarded person who has an intellectual disability as manifested 
by recent evidence of his the person's actions or behavior which that demonstrates his 
an inability to avoid or protect himself that person from that impairment or injury 
and, after consideration of less restrictive treatment settings and modalities, a 
determination that suitable community resources for his the person's care are 
unavailable. 
Sec. A-106.  34-B MRSA §5461, sub-§8, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 459, §7, is 
amended to read: 
8.  Person in need of institutional services.  "Person in need of institutional 
services" means a person who, because of mental retardation an intellectual disability, 
autism or other related condition, and other severely disabling conditions, is unable to 
care for himself provide self-care and to avoid or protect himself that person from severe 
physical or psychological impairment, and who needs habilitation in an institutional 
setting designed to improve his the person's ability to care for and protect himself the 
person. 
Sec. A-107.  34-B MRSA §5461, sub-§10, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 580, 
§12, is amended to read: 
B.    Where licensure, certification or registration is not required, a person possessing 
a master's degree in the appropriate discipline or a person possessing a bachelor's 
degree in the appropriate discipline and 3 years' experience in treating mentally 
retarded persons with intellectual disabilities or autism or 3 years' experience in a 
related human services field. 
Sec. A-108.  34-B MRSA §5462, as amended by PL 2003, c. 389, §6, is further 
amended to read: 
§5462.  Procedure policies 
1.  Steps.  It is the policy of the State that, in order to ensure that mentally retarded 
persons with intellectual disabilities or autism receive needed services, to the extent 
possible, the following steps shall must be taken for each person found by the department 
to be mentally retarded have an intellectual disability or autism and be in need of 
services:  
A.  An assessment of the person's needs; 
B.  The development of a personal plan or service plan for the delivery and 
coordination of services to the person through a personal planning process.; 
C.  A determination of the suitability and quality of needed services which that are 
available to the person, first in the community and 2nd in state-operated facilities; 
and 
D.  Insofar as possible, obtaining high quality and suitable services for the person. 
2.  Persons involved with procedures.  It is the policy of the State that:  
A.  To the extent possible, the mentally retarded person with an intellectual disability 
or autism and his the person's guardian or next of kin be involved with the steps 
specified in subsection 1; and 
B.  An advocate be available to the mentally retarded person with an intellectual 
disability or autism throughout the steps specified in subsection 1. 
Sec. A-109.  34-B MRSA §5467, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2003, c. 389, §9, is 
further amended to read: 
1.  Application.  An application for mental retardation adult developmental services, 
on a form provided by the commissioner, must be initiated at or referred to a regional 
office of the department.  Except for referrals identifying a possible need for adult 
protective services, the department shall accept only those referrals to which the client or 
client's guardian has consented. 
Sec. A-110.  34-B MRSA §5467, sub-§2, ¶D, as amended by PL 2003, c. 389, 
§9, is further amended to read: 
D.    Ensure the client's access to an advocate throughout the process of mental 
retardation adult developmental services under sections 5467 to 5474; 
Sec. A-111.  34-B MRSA §5468, sub-§2, as repealed and replaced by PL 1983, 
c. 580, §18, is amended to read: 
2.  Comprehensive evaluation.  The comprehensive evaluation shall must be 
conducted by a person who is a licensed physician, licensed clinical psychologist or 
licensed psychological examiner and who has had training and experience in the 
diagnosis and treatment of mentally retarded persons with intellectual disabilities or 
autism. 
Sec. A-112.  34-B MRSA §5469, as amended by PL 2003, c. 388, §1 and c. 389, 
§§11 and 12, is further amended to read: 
§5469.  Report 
Within 90 days of the day of the application made under section 5467, the department 
shall obtain a report of the comprehensive evaluation made under section 5468, which 
must state specifically whether or not the client is mentally retarded has an intellectual 
disability or autism. 
1.  Client without an intellectual disability or autism.  If the comprehensive 
evaluation concludes that the client is not mentally retarded does not have an intellectual 
disability or autism, the department shall deny the application for services, care and 
treatment, but shall make appropriate referrals in cases where clear needs of the client 
exist. 
2.  Client with an intellectual disability or autism.  If the comprehensive evaluation 
concludes that the client is mentally retarded has an intellectual disability or autism and is 
in need of services:  
A.  The department, through the regional office, shall determine the client's case 
management status and develop a personal plan or service plan; and 
B.  The department, through the planning team, shall develop a personal plan or 
service plan for the client within 45 days of the date of the determination of 
eligibility.  Implementation of the plan is governed by section 5471, subsection 4. 
3.  Preschool child.  If the report of the comprehensive evaluation concludes that a 
child, aged 0 to 5 years, is developmentally delayed and is in need of infant development 
services or other early intervention services:  
A.  The department, through the regional office, shall develop a personal plan or 
service plan, or both; and 
B.  If a personal plan is to be developed, the department, through the planning team, 
shall develop and begin to implement a personal plan for the client within 60 days of 
the application made under section 5467. 
Sec. A-113.  34-B MRSA §5470-B, sub-§§1 to 4, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 
356, §21 and affected by §31, are amended to read: 
1.  Right to personal planning.  Every adult with mental retardation an intellectual 
disability or autism who is eligible for services must be provided the opportunity to 
engage in a personal planning process in which the needs and desires of the person are 
articulated and identified. 
2.  Process.  The personal planning opportunities afforded to a person with mental 
retardation an intellectual disability or autism pursuant to subsection 1 must: 
A.  Be understandable to that person and in plain language and, if that person is deaf 
or nonverbal, uses sign language or speaks another language, the process must 
include qualified interpreters; 
B.  Focus on the choices made by that person; 
C.  Reflect and support the goals and aspirations of that person; 
D.  Be developed at the direction of that person and include people whom the person 
chooses to participate. The planning process must minimally include the person, the 
person's guardian, if any, the correspondent, if any, and the person's case manager; 
E.  Be flexible enough to change as new opportunities arise; 
F.  Be offered to that person at least annually or on a schedule established through the 
planning process and be reviewed according to a specified schedule and by a person 
designated for monitoring; 
G.  Include all of the needs and desires of that person without respect to whether 
those desires are reasonably achievable or the needs are presently capable of being 
addressed; and 
H.  Include a provision for ensuring the satisfaction of that person with the quality of 
the plan and the supports that the person receives. 
3.  Action plans and unmet needs.  The ongoing personal planning for a person with 
mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism must include an action plan that 
describes the services to be provided, the process of providing the services and who is 
responsible for overseeing the provision of the services. In cases where resources 
required to address identified needs or desires are not available, the action plan must 
identify interim measures based on available resources that address the needs or desires 
as nearly as possible and identify steps toward meeting the person’s actual identified 
needs. 
Unmet needs must be documented continually, collated annually and used for appropriate 
development activities on a regional and statewide basis. 
4.  Review of personal plans.  The person with mental retardation an intellectual 
disability or autism or another member of the planning team may initiate a review of the 
person’s personal plan when needed or desired. 
A.  A review under this subsection must be done by meeting or by other means 
sufficient to address the needed or desired changes. The review must include the 
person, the person's guardian, if any, and the person's case manager.   Invitations to 
participate may also be sent to others who may be anticipated to assist the person in 
pursuing articulated needs and desires unless the person or a private guardian objects. 
B.  Events that could lead to the loss of the person’s home, job or program and events 
defined in a departmental rule or in the person’s plan must lead to a plan review. 
Sec. A-114.  34-B MRSA §5470-B, sub-§8, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, 
§21 and affected by §31, is amended to read: 
B.  The department shall ensure the provision of regular and ongoing training in 
personal planning to persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism 
and their families, guardians, correspondents and allies as well as its own staff and 
providers.  The department shall regularly provide persons with mental retardation 
intellectual disabilities or autism and their families, guardians and allies with 
informational materials regarding personal planning. 
Sec. A-115.  34-B MRSA §5474, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 459, §7, is 
amended to read: 
3.  Emergency admission.  When immediate detention of a person believed to be 
mentally retarded have an intellectual disability or autism is necessary, the person may be 
temporarily restrained in accordance with section 5477. 
Sec. A-116.  34-B MRSA §5475, sub-§2, ¶C, as amended by PL 2003, c. 389, 
§18, is further amended to read: 
C.  Unless waived by a client and the client's counsel, cause the client who is the 
subject of the proceeding to be examined by a professional.  
(1)  The client or the client's counsel may choose the professional, if the 
professional the client chooses is reasonably available.  
(2)  The professional may not be the same one who performed any part of the 
evaluation required under section 5468 or who participated in the development of 
the personal plan or service plan.  
(3)  Upon completion of the examination, the professional shall report to the 
court the professional's opinion whether the client is mentally retarded has an 
intellectual disability or autism and requires treatment, stating the professional's 
reasons for the professional's opinion; 
Sec. A-117.  34-B MRSA §5476, as amended by PL 2003, c. 389, §19, is further 
amended to read: 
§5476.  Judicial commitment 
Any client recommended for admission to a mental retardation facility that provides 
services for persons with intellectual disabilities or autism may be admitted by judicial 
commitment according to the following procedures. 
1.  Application to the District Court. If the chief administrative officer of the 
facility determines that the admission of the client pursuant to section 5473, subsection 2, 
is not suitable, or if the client declines admission pursuant to section 5473, subsection 2, 
the chief administrative officer may apply to the District Court having territorial 
jurisdiction over the facility for the issuance of an order of judicial commitment. 
2.  Time of application. The chief administrative officer shall file the application 
within 5 days from the day of admission of the client under this section, excluding 
Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. 
3.  Accompanying documents. The application shall must be accompanied by:  
A.  A written application, made subject to the prohibitions and penalties of section 
3805 and made by any health officer, law enforcement officer or other person, 
stating:  
(1)  His The belief that the client is mentally retarded has an intellectual disability 
or autism and poses a likelihood of serious harm; and  
(2)  The grounds for this belief; 
B.  A dated certificate, signed by a private licensed physician or a private licensed 
clinical psychologist, stating that:  
(1)  He The physician or psychologist has examined the client on the date of the 
certificate, which date may not be more than 3 days before the date of admission 
to the facility; and  
(2)  He The physician or psychologist is of the opinion that the client is mentally 
retarded has an intellectual disability or autism and poses a likelihood of serious 
harm; and 
C.  A certificate of the facility's examining physician or psychologist, stating that he 
the physician or psychologist has examined the client and it is his of the opinion that 
the client is mentally retarded has an intellectual disability or autism and poses a 
likelihood of serious harm:  
(1)  The examiner may not be the certifying examiner under paragraph B; and  
(2)  If the examination is not held within 24 hours after the time of admission or 
if the facility's examining physician or psychologist fails or refuses to make the 
required certification, the client shall must be immediately discharged. 
4.  Notice of receipt of application. The giving of notice of receipt of application 
under this section is governed as follows.  
A.  Upon receipt by the District Court of the application and accompanying 
documents specified in this section, the court shall cause written notice of the 
application:  
(1)  To be given personally or by mail to the client within a reasonable time 
before the hearing, but not less than 3 days before the hearing; and  
(2)  To be mailed to the client's guardian, if known, and to his the client's spouse, 
his the client's parent or one of his the client's adult children, or if none of these 
persons exist or if none of them can be located, to one of his the client's next of 
kin or an advocate. 
B.  A docket entry is sufficient evidence that notice under this subsection has been 
given. 
5.  Examination. Examinations under this section are governed as follows.  
A.  Upon receipt by the District Court of the application and the accompanying 
documents specified in this section, the court shall forthwith cause the client to be 
examined by 2 examiners.  
(1)  Each examiner shall must be either a licensed physician or a licensed clinical 
psychologist.  
(2)  One of the examiners shall must be a physician or psychologist chosen by the 
client or by his the client's counsel, if the chosen physician or psychologist is 
reasonably available.  
(3)  Neither examiner appointed by the court may be the certifying examiner 
under subsection 3, paragraph B or C. 
B.  The examination shall must be held at the facility or at any other suitable place 
not likely to have a harmful effect on the well-being of the client. 
C.  If the unanimous reports of the examiners are to the effect that the client is not 
mentally retarded does not have an intellectual disability or autism or does not pose a 
likelihood of serious harm, the application shall must be dismissed and the client 
shall be ordered discharged forthwith. 
D.    If the report of either or both of the examiners is to the effect that the client is 
mentally retarded has an intellectual disability or autism and poses a likelihood of 
serious harm, the hearing shall must be held on the date, or on the continued date, 
which that the court has set for the hearing. 
6.  Hearing. Hearings under this section are governed as follows.  
A.    The District Court shall hold a hearing on the application not later than 15 days 
from the date of the application.  
(1)  On a motion by any party, the hearing may be continued for cause for a 
period not to exceed 10 additional days.  
(2)  If the hearing is not held within the time specified, or within the specified 
continuance period, the court shall dismiss the application and order the client 
discharged forthwith.  
(3)  In computing the time periods set forth in this paragraph, the District Court 
Rules of Civil Procedure shall apply. 
B.  The hearing shall must be conducted in as informal a manner as may be consistent 
with orderly procedure and in a physical setting not likely to have a harmful effect on 
the well-being of the person. 
C.  The court shall receive all relevant and material evidence which that may be 
offered in accordance with accepted rules of evidence and accepted judicial 
dispositions.  
(1)  The client, the applicant and all other persons to whom notice is required to 
be sent shall must be afforded an opportunity to appear at the hearing to testify.  
(2)  The client and the applicant shall must be afforded the opportunity to cross-
examine witnesses.  
(3)  The court may, in its discretion, receive the testimony of any other person 
and may subpoena any witness. 
D.  The client shall must be afforded an opportunity to be represented by counsel and, 
if neither the client nor others provide counsel, the court shall appoint counsel for the 
client. 
E.  In addition to proving that the client is mentally retarded has an intellectual 
disability or autism, the applicant shall show:  
(1)  By evidence of the client's actions and behavior, that the client poses a 
likelihood of serious harm; and  
(2)  That after full consideration of less restrictive treatment settings and 
modalities, judicial commitment to a mental retardation facility that provides 
services for persons with intellectual disabilities or autism is the best least 
restrictive available means for the treatment or security of the client. 
F.  In each case, the applicant shall submit to the court, at the time of the hearing, 
testimony indicating the individual treatment plan to be followed by the facility's 
staff, if the client is committed under this section, and shall bear any expense for this 
purpose. 
G.  A stenographic or electronic record shall must be made of the proceedings in all 
judicial commitment hearings.  
(1)  The record, all notes, exhibits and other evidence shall be are confidential.  
(2)  The record, all notes, exhibits and other evidence shall must be retained as 
part of the District Court records for a period of 2 years from the date of the 
hearing. 
H.  The hearing shall be is confidential.  No report of the proceedings may be 
released to the public or press, except by permission of the client, or his the client's 
counsel and with approval of the presiding District Court Judge, except that the court 
may order a public hearing on the request of the client or his the client's counsel. 
7.  Court findings. Procedures dealing with the District Court's findings under this 
section are as follows.  
A.  The District Court shall so state in the record, if it finds upon completion of the 
hearing and consideration of the record:  
(1)  Clear and convincing evidence that the client is mentally retarded has an 
intellectual disability and that his the client's recent actions and behavior 
demonstrate that he the client poses a likelihood of serious harm;  
(2)  That judicial commitment to the facility is the best available means for 
treatment or security of the client; and  
(3)  That it is satisfied with the individual treatment plan offered by the facility. 
B.  If the District Court makes the findings described in paragraph A, subparagraphs 
and 2, but is not satisfied with the individual treatment plan offered, it may continue 
the case for not longer than 10 days, pending reconsideration and resubmission of an 
individual treatment plan by the facility. 
8.  Commitment. Upon making the findings described in subsection 7, the court may 
order commitment of the client to the facility for a period not to exceed 4 months in the 
first instance and not to exceed one year after the first and all subsequent hearings.  
A.  The court may issue an order of commitment immediately after the completion of 
the hearing or it may take the matter under advisement and issue an order within 24 
hours of the hearing. 
B.  If the court does not issue an order of commitment within 24 hours of the 
completion of the hearing, it shall dismiss the application and shall order the person 
discharged forthwith. 
9.  Continued judicial commitment. If the chief administrative officer of the facility 
determines that continued judicial commitment is necessary for a person who has been 
ordered by the District Court to be committed, he the officer shall, not later than 30 days 
prior to the expiration of a period of commitment ordered by the court, make application 
in accordance with this section to the District Court which that has territorial jurisdiction 
over the facility for a hearing to be held under this section. 
10.  Transportation. Unless otherwise directed by the court, the sheriff of the county 
in which the District Court has jurisdiction and in which the hearing takes place shall 
provide transportation to any facility to which the court has committed the person. 
11.  Expenses. With the exception of expenses incurred by the applicant pursuant to 
subsection 6, paragraph F, the District Court shall be is responsible for any expenses 
incurred under this section, including fees of appointed counsel, witness and notice fees 
and expenses of transportation for the person. 
12.  Appeals. A person ordered by the District Court to be committed to the facility 
may appeal from that order to the Superior Court.  
A.  The appeal shall must be on questions of law only. 
B.  Any findings of fact of the District Court may not be set aside unless clearly 
erroneous. 
C.  The order of the District Court shall remain remains in effect pending the appeal. 
D.  The District Court Rules of Civil Procedure and the Maine Rules of Civil 
Procedure apply to the conduct of the appeals, except as otherwise specified in this 
subsection. 
13.  Rules. If necessary, the commissioner shall promulgate adopt rules for the 
effective implementation of this section. 
Sec. A-118.  34-B MRSA §5477, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1983, c. 580, §24, is 
further amended to read: 
1.  Protective custody.  If a law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to 
believe, based upon his personal observation, that a person may be mentally retarded 
have an intellectual disability, that he the person presents a threat of imminent and 
substantial physical harm to himself self-harm or harm to other persons and that an 
emergency exists requiring immediate residential placement:  
A.  The officer may take the person into protective custody; and 
B.  If the officer does take the person into protective custody, the officer shall deliver 
the person forthwith, within 18 hours, for examination by an available licensed 
physician or licensed psychologist as provided in subsection 4. 
Sec. A-119.  34-B MRSA §5477, sub-§4, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 459, §7, 
is amended to read: 
B.  The written application shall must be accompanied by a dated certificate, signed 
by a licensed physician or a licensed clinical psychologist, stating:  
(1)  He The physician or psychologist has examined the person on the date of the 
certificate, which date may not be more than 3 days before the date of admission 
to the facility; and  
(2)  He The physician or psychologist is of the opinion that the person is a 
mentally retarded person has an intellectual disability and is in need of 
institutional protective services. 
Sec. A-120.  34-B MRSA §5478, sub-§1, as repealed and replaced by PL 1983, 
c. 580, §26, is amended to read: 
1.  Authority to continue treatment.  A client who has been admitted to a facility by 
judicial certification, or who has been retained in a facility pursuant to this section, may 
continue extended care and treatment in that facility for an additional period, not to 
exceed 2 years, only after judicial certification under section 5474 or after waiver of that 
process as provided in this section, except that waiver of the judicial certification process 
is not permitted for any mentally retarded person with an intellectual disability under 
public guardianship. 
Sec. A-121.  34-B MRSA §5601, sub-§5, as amended by PL 1993, c. 326, §3, is 
further amended to read: 
5.  Normalization principle.  "Normalization principle" means the principle of 
assisting the person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism to obtain 
an existence as close to normal as possible and making available to that person patterns 
and conditions of everyday life that are as close as possible to the norms and patterns of 
the mainstream of society. 
Sec. A-122.  34-B MRSA §5601, sub-§5-A, as amended by PL 2011, c. 186, Pt. 
A, §5, is further amended to read: 
5-A.  Person receiving services.  "Person receiving services" means a person with 
mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism receiving services from the 
department or from an agency or facility licensed or funded to provide services to persons 
with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism except those presently serving 
sentences for crime. 
Sec. A-123.  34-B MRSA §5601, sub-§5-B, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 186, Pt. 
A, §6, is amended to read: 
5-B.  Provider.  "Provider" means an entity, organization or individual providing 
services to an adult with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism, funded in 
whole or in part or licensed or certified by the department. 
Sec. A-124.  34-B MRSA §5601, sub-§7-A, as amended by PL 2011, c. 186, Pt. 
A, §11, is further amended to read: 
7-A.  Supports.  "Supports" means actions or assistance that empowers a person with 
mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism to carry out life activities, build 
relationships and learn the skills necessary to meet the person's needs and desires. 
Sec. A-125.  34-B MRSA §5602, as amended by PL 1993, c. 326, §8, is further 
amended to read: 
§5602.  Purpose 
It is the intent of the Legislature to guarantee individual dignity, liberty, pursuit of 
happiness and the protection of the civil and legal rights of persons with mental 
retardation intellectual disabilities or autism and to articulate rights of persons with 
mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism, so that these rights may be exercised 
and protected. 
Sec. A-126.  34-B MRSA §5603, as amended by PL 2011, c. 186, Pt. A, §14, is 
further amended to read: 
§5603.  Entitlement 
Each person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism is entitled to 
the rights enjoyed by citizens of the State and of the United States, unless some of these 
rights have been limited or suspended by a court of competent jurisdiction. 
1.  Person committed to the commissioner.  The rights and basic protections set out 
in section 5605 of a person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism 
who is committed to the commissioner as not criminally responsible pursuant to Title 15, 
section 103 or as incompetent to stand trial pursuant to Title 15, section 101-D may be 
limited or suspended only if the commissioner submits to the applicable court a written 
treatment plan that specifies each limitation of a right or basic protection and the 
treatment plan has been approved by the court. 
Sec. A-127.  34-B MRSA §5604, as amended by PL 2011, c. 186, Pt. A, §§15 to 
17, is further amended to read: 
§5604.  Protection 
The Legislature finds and declares that the rights of persons with mental retardation 
intellectual disabilities or autism can be protected best under a system of services that 
operates according to the principles of normalization and full inclusion and that the 
State's system of services must operate according to these principles with the goals of: 
1.  Community-based services.  Continuing the development of community-based 
services that provide reasonable alternatives to institutionalization in settings that are 
least restrictive to the person receiving services;  
2.  Independence and productivity.  Providing habilitation, education and other 
training to persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism that will 
maximize each person's potential to lead an independent and productive life and that will 
afford opportunities for full inclusion into the community where each person lives; and 
3.  Grievance right.  Providing a person with mental retardation an intellectual 
disability or autism with the right to appeal a decision regarding actions or inactions by 
the department that affects the person's life. The department shall establish in rule a 
process for hearing such grievances pursuant to Title 22-A, section 206, subsection 4.  
The rules must contain strict time frames for the resolution of grievances. The rules may 
provide for resolution of grievances through mediation.  
A.  The department shall provide easily accessible and regular notice of the grievance 
process to persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism served by 
the department.  This notice must be included in informational materials provided to 
such persons, as well as to guardians, families, correspondents and allies.  Notice of 
the right to appeal must be prominently displayed in regional offices and on the 
department’s publicly accessible website and must be readily available from provider 
agencies. Notice of the right to appeal must be included in all substantive 
correspondence regarding personal planning. Written notice of the right to appeal 
must also be provided when there is a denial or reduction of services or supports to 
persons served by the department. All notices and information regarding the 
grievance process must be written in language that is plain and understandable and 
must include the address and telephone number of the Office of Advocacy and the 
protection and advocacy agency designated pursuant to Title 5, section 19502. 
B.  The department must make available a one-page form that enables a person with 
mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism to file a grievance.  A grievance 
may also be filed through an oral request.  If a grievance is filed through an oral 
request, the person receiving the grievance shall reduce the grievance to writing using 
a one-page form made available by the department. 
C.  The department shall offer regular training in the grievance process for persons 
served by the department, their families, guardians and allies and department and 
service provider staff. 
D.  If an appeal proceeds to a hearing, the hearing officer's decision constitutes final 
agency action for the purposes of Rule 80C of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure 
unless final decision-making authority has been reserved by the commissioner. If the 
commissioner makes the final decision and modifies or rejects the hearing officer’s 
recommended decision, the commissioner must state in writing the basis for the 
commissioner's decision.  When the commissioner rejects or modifies a hearing 
officer’s factual findings or makes additional factual findings, the commissioner shall 
articulate the evidentiary basis for such rejection or modification with appropriate 
references to the record.  The commissioner shall give substantial deference to a 
hearing officer’s determinations on matters of credibility relating to testimony that 
was heard by the hearing officer, and when rejecting or modifying such 
determinations of credibility, the commissioner shall state with particularity the 
reasons with appropriate references to evidence in the record.  In the event the 
commissioner fails to issue a written final decision within 30 days of the date of the 
recommended decision, the recommended decision of the hearing officer is deemed 
the final decision of the commissioner. 
The rights and basic protections of a person with mental retardation an intellectual 
disability or autism under section 5605 may not be restricted or waived by that person's 
guardian, except as permitted by rules adopted pursuant to this section. 
The department has authority to adopt rules to implement this section.  Rules adopted 
pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, 
subchapter 2-A. 
Sec. A-128.  34-B MRSA §5604-A, sub-§§2 and 3, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 
356, §24 and affected by §31, are amended to read: 
2.  Maintain reporting system.  The department shall maintain a reportable event 
and adult protective services system that provides for receiving reports of alleged 
incidents, prioritizing such reports, assigning reports for investigation by qualified 
investigators, reviewing the adequacy of the investigations, making recommendations for 
preventive and corrective actions as appropriate and substantiating allegations against 
individuals who have been found under the Adult Protective Services Act to have abused, 
neglected or exploited persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism. 
The department shall fully establish the reportable event and adult protective services 
system through rulemaking. 
3.  Violation.  All persons with knowledge of an alleged violation of the rights of an 
individual with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism as set out in section 
5605 shall promptly report the details of the alleged violation to the Office of Advocacy 
as set forth in department rules. 
Sec. A-129.  34-B MRSA §5605, as amended by PL 2011, c. 186, Pt. A, §§18 to 
34, is further amended to read: 
§5605.  Rights and basic protections of a person with an intellectual disability or 
autism 
A person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism is entitled to the 
following rights and basic protections. 
1.  Humane treatment.  A person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or 
autism is entitled to dignity, privacy and humane treatment. 
2.  Practice of religion.  A person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or 
autism is entitled to religious freedom and practice without any restriction or forced 
infringement on that person's right to religious preference and practice. 
3.  Communications.  A person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or 
autism is entitled to private communications. 
A.  A person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism is entitled to 
receive, send and mail sealed, unopened correspondence. A person who is a provider 
may not delay, hold or censor any incoming or outgoing correspondence of any 
person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism, nor may any such 
correspondence be opened without the consent of the person or the person's legal 
guardian. 
B.  A person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism is entitled to 
reasonable opportunities for telephone and Internet communication. 
C.  A person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism is entitled to 
an unrestricted right to visitations during reasonable hours unless this right has been 
restricted pursuant to rules adopted pursuant to section 5604. 
4.  Work.  A person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism 
engaged in work programs that require compliance with state and federal wage and hour 
laws is entitled to fair compensation for labor in compliance with regulations of the 
United States Department of Labor. 
5.  Vote.  A person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism may 
not be denied the right to vote. 
6.  Personal property.  A person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or 
autism is entitled to the possession and use of that person's own clothing, personal effects 
and money, except when temporary custody of clothing or personal effects by a provider 
is necessary to protect the person or others from imminent injury or unless this right has 
been restricted pursuant to rules adopted pursuant to section 5604. 
7.  Nutrition.  A person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism is 
entitled to nutritious food in adequate quantities and meals may not be withheld for 
disciplinary reasons. 
8.  Medical care.  A person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or 
autism is entitled to receive prompt and appropriate medical and dental treatment and 
care for physical and mental ailments and for the prevention of any illness or disability, 
and medical treatment must be consistent with the accepted standards of medical practice 
in the community, unless the religion of the person with mental retardation an intellectual 
disability or autism so prohibits. 
A.    Medication may be administered only at the written order of a physician. 
B.    Medication may not be used as punishment, for the convenience of staff, as a 
substitute for a habilitation plan or in unnecessary or excessive quantities. 
C.  Daily notation of medication received by each person with mental retardation an 
intellectual disability or autism must be kept in the records of the person with mental 
retardation an intellectual disability or autism. 
D.    Periodically, but no less frequently than every 6 months, the drug regimen of 
each person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism must be 
reviewed by a physician or other appropriate monitoring body, consistent with 
appropriate standards of medical practice. 
E.  All prescriptions must have a termination date. 
G.  Prior to instituting a plan of experimental medical treatment or carrying out any 
surgical procedure, express and informed consent must be obtained from the person 
with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism, unless the person has been 
found to be legally incompetent, in which case the person's guardian may consent. 
 (1)  Before making a treatment or surgical decision, the person must be given 
information, including, but not limited to, the nature and consequences of the 
procedures, the risks, benefits and purposes of the procedures and the availability 
of alternate procedures. 
 (2)  The person or, if legally incompetent, that person's guardian may withdraw 
express and informed consent at any time, with or without cause, before 
treatment or surgery. 
H.  Notwithstanding the absence of express and informed consent, emergency 
medical care or treatment may be provided to any person with mental retardation an 
intellectual disability or autism who has been injured or who is suffering from an 
acute illness, disease or condition if delay in initiation of emergency medical care or 
treatment would endanger the health of the person. 
I.  Notwithstanding the absence of express and informed consent, emergency surgical 
procedures may be provided to any person with mental retardation an intellectual 
disability or autism who has been injured or who is suffering from an acute illness, 
disease or condition if delay in initiation of emergency surgery would substantially 
endanger the health of the person. 
9.  Sterilization.  A person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism 
may not be sterilized, except in accordance with chapter 7. 
10.  Social activity.  A person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or 
autism is entitled to opportunities for behavioral and leisure time activities that include 
social interaction in the community, as set out in section 5610.  This right may be waived 
or restricted only under the rules adopted pursuant to section 5604 or pursuant to a 
treatment plan approved pursuant to section 5603, subsection 1. 
11.  Physical exercise.  A person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or 
autism is entitled to opportunities for appropriate physical exercise, including the use of 
available indoor and outdoor facilities and equipment. 
12.  Discipline.  Discipline of persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities 
or autism is governed as follows. 
B.  Corporal punishment or any form of inhumane discipline is not permitted. 
C.  Seclusion as a form of discipline is not permitted. 
E.  A provider of residential services may establish house rules in a residential unit 
owned or operated by the provider.  A person receiving services who resides in the 
unit is entitled to participate, as appropriate, in the formulation of the house rules.  A 
house rule must be uniformly applied to all residents of the residential unit where the 
rules apply.  A copy of the house rules must be posted in a residential unit where the 
rules apply and a copy of the rules must be given to all residents who receive services 
and, if any resident is under guardianship, to the guardian of the person receiving 
services. 
13.  Behavioral support, modification and management.  Behavior modification 
and behavior management of and supports for a person with mental retardation an 
intellectual disability or autism are governed as follows. 
A.  A person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism may not be 
subjected to a behavior modification or behavior management program to eliminate 
dangerous or maladaptive behavior without first being assessed by a physician to 
determine if the proposed program is medically contraindicated and that the 
dangerous or maladaptive behavior could not be better treated medically. 
A-1.   Support programs may contain both behavior modification and behavior 
management components.   
A-2.  The following practices are prohibited as elements of behavior modification or 
behavior management programs: 
(1)  Seclusion; 
(2)  Corporal punishment; 
(3)  Actions or language intended to humble, dehumanize or degrade the person; 
(4)  Restraints that do not conform to rules adopted pursuant to this section; 
(5)  Totally enclosed cribs or beds; and 
(6)  Painful stimuli. 
B.  Behavior modification and behavior management programs may be used only to 
correct behavior more harmful to the person than the program and only: 
(1)  On the recommendation of the person's personal planning team; 
(2)  For an adult 18 years of age or older, with the approval, following a case-by-
case review, of a review team composed of an advocate from the Office of 
Advocacy; a representative designated by the Office of Adults with Cognitive 
and Physical Disability Services; and a representative designated by the Maine 
Developmental Services Oversight and Advisory Board; and 
(3)  For a child under 18 years of age, with the approval, following a case-by-
case review, of a review team composed of an advocate from the Office of 
Advocacy, a team leader of the department's children's services division and the 
children's services medical director or the director's designee.  Until rules are 
adopted by the department to govern behavioral treatment reviews for children, 
the team may not approve techniques any more aversive or intrusive than are 
permitted in rules adopted by the Secretary of the United States Department of 
Health and Human Services regarding treatment of children and youth in 
nonmedical community-based facilities funded under the Medicaid program. 
14-A.  Restraints.  A person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or 
autism is entitled to be free from restraint unless: 
A.  The restraint is a short-term step to protect the person from imminent injury to 
that person or others; or 
B.  The restraint has been approved as a behavior management program in 
accordance with this section. 
A restraint may not be used as punishment, for the convenience of the staff or as a 
substitute for habilitative services.  A restraint may impose only the least possible 
restriction consistent with its purpose and must be removed as soon as the threat of 
imminent injury ends.  A restraint may not cause physical injury to the person receiving 
services and must be designed to allow the greatest possible comfort and safety.   
Daily records of the use of restraints identified in paragraph A must be kept, which may 
be accomplished by meeting reportable event requirements. 
Daily records of the use of restraints identified in paragraph B must be kept, and a 
summary of the daily records pertaining to the person must be made available for review 
by the person's planning team, as defined in section 5461, subsection 8-C, on a schedule 
determined by the team.  The review by the personal planning team may occur no less 
frequently than quarterly.  The summary of the daily records must state the type of 
restraint used, the duration of the use and the reasons for the use.  A monthly summary of 
all daily records pertaining to all persons must be relayed to the Office of Advocacy. 
14-D.  Reimbursement provided.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
department shall provide reimbursement within available resources for durable medical 
equipment that provides a safe sleeping environment for individuals under 16 years of 
age if: 
A.  The durable medical equipment is necessary to correct or ameliorate a behavioral 
health condition;  
B.  The durable medical equipment is the least restrictive alternative for the treatment 
of the behavioral health condition; 
C.  The durable medical equipment is approved on a case-by-case basis by a review 
team composed of the same representatives as the team conducting children's 
behavioral treatment reviews under subsection 13, paragraph B, subparagraph (3); 
and 
D.  The department determines that the durable medical equipment is cost-effective in 
comparison to the provision of other covered services or equipment that can 
sufficiently correct or ameliorate the behavioral health condition. 
The department may adopt rules as necessary to implement this subsection.  Rules 
adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, 
chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
15.  Records.  All records of persons receiving services must remain confidential as 
provided in section 1207. 
A.  The person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism or, if the 
person is incompetent, a parent or guardian is entitled to have access to the records 
upon request. 
B.  The commissioner is entitled to have access to the records of a provider if 
necessary to carry out the statutory functions of the commissioner's office. 
16.  Therapeutic devices or interventions.  Therapeutic devices or interventions 
must be prescriptively designed by a qualified professional and applied with concern for 
principles of good body alignment and circulation and allowance for change of position.  
The department may adopt rules concerning the use of therapeutic devices or 
interventions.  Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as 
defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
17.  Safety devices and practices.  A safety device or practice must be prescribed by 
a physician.  A safety device must be designed and applied with concern for principles of 
good body alignment and circulation and allowance for change of position.  The 
department may adopt rules concerning the use and approval of safety devices or 
practices.  Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined 
in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
The department may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.  Rules 
adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, 
chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
Sec. A-130.  34-B MRSA §5606, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1993, c. 326, §10, is 
further amended to read: 
3.  Prohibited acts; penalty; defense.  A person is guilty of violation of the rights of 
a person with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism who is receiving 
services if that person intentionally violates or abuses any rights or privileges of persons 
receiving services granted by this subchapter. 
A.  Violation of the rights of a person with mental retardation an intellectual 
disability or autism who is receiving services is a Class E crime. 
B.  Good-faith compliance with the provisions of this subchapter in connection with 
evaluation, admission, habilitation programming, education, treatment or discharge of 
a person receiving services is a defense to prosecution under this subchapter. 
Sec. A-131.  34-B MRSA §5610, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 356, §27 and 
affected by §31, is amended to read: 
1.  Guiding service delivery.  The delivery of services by providers of services and 
the department to persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities and autism is 
guided by the following. 
A.  Persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism have the same 
rights as all citizens, including the rights to live, work and participate in the life of the 
community. 
B.  Community inclusion is achieved by connecting persons and their families, 
whenever possible, to local and generic supports within the community and by the 
use of residential services that are small and integrated into the community. 
C.  Real work for real pay for persons in integrated settings in the community is the 
cornerstone of all vocational and employment services. 
D.  Service delivery to persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities and 
autism is based on the following fundamentals: 
(1) Maximizing the growth and development of the person and inclusion in the 
community; 
(2) Maximizing the person's control over that person's life; 
(3) Supporting the person in that person's own home; 
(4) Acknowledging and enhancing the role of the family, as appropriate, as the 
primary and most natural caregiver; and 
(5) Planning for the delivery of community services that: 
(a) Promotes a high quality of life; 
(b) Is based on ongoing individualized assessment of the strengths, needs and 
preferences of the person and the strengths of that person's family; and 
(c) Identifies and considers connections in other areas of the person's life, 
including but not limited to family, allies, friends, work, recreation and 
spirituality. 
Sec. A-132.  34-B MRSA §6001, as amended by PL 2001, c. 354, §3 and PL 
2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6, is further amended to read: 
§6001.  Legislative intent 
It is the intent of the Legislature that social and habilitative services directed at 
persons who have been diagnosed as being autistic having autism or having other 
pervasive developmental disorders be developed and planned for, to the extent that 
resources permit, by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Division 
of Mental Retardation. 
Sec. A-133.  34-B MRSA §6201, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1995, c. 560, Pt. K, 
§67, is further amended to read: 
2.  Child in need of treatment.  "Child in need of treatment" means:  
B.  A child 17 years of age or younger who has treatment needs related to mental 
illness, mental retardation an intellectual disability, autism, other developmental 
disabilities or emotional or behavioral needs that are not under current statutory 
authority of other state agencies; or 
C.  A person 18 years of age or older and under 21 years of age who has treatment 
needs related to mental illness, mental retardation an intellectual disability, autism, 
other developmental disabilities or emotional or behavioral needs if the department 
has determined that it is in the interest of that person to receive treatment through the 
department. 
Sec. A-134.  34-B MRSA §6205, as amended by PL 2003, c. 706, Pt. A, §14, is 
further amended to read: 
§6205.  Services for juveniles committed to the youth development centers 
1.  Department authority.  The department may provide consultation services to any 
juvenile with mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism committed to the Long 
Creek Youth Development Center or the Mountain View Youth Development Center if 
those services are requested by the Commissioner of Corrections or the commissioner's 
designee.  Consultation services may include participation by appropriate department 
professionals on the Classification Committee of the Long Creek Youth Development 
Center or the Classification Committee of the Mountain View Youth Development 
Center in order to assist in the design of individual treatment plans to provide habilitation, 
education and skill training to juveniles with mental retardation an intellectual disability 
or autism in residence at the Long Creek Youth Development Center or the Mountain 
View Youth Development Center. 
2.  Support services.  Whenever a program has been designed for a juvenile with 
mental retardation an intellectual disability or autism by the Classification Committee of 
the Long Creek Youth Development Center or the Classification Committee of the 
Mountain View Youth Development Center and the classification committee has included 
participation by the department professionals, the department shall provide, insofar as 
possible, support services to implement that program. 
3.  Case management.  The department may provide case management services to 
juveniles with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism who are released from 
the Long Creek Youth Development Center or the Mountain View Youth Development 
Center. 
Sec. A-135.  36 MRSA §1760, sub-§28, as amended by PL 1999, c. 708, §28; PL 
2001, c. 354, §3; and PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6, is further amended to read: 
28.  Community mental health facilities, community adult developmental 
services facilities and community substance abuse facilities. Sales to mental health 
facilities, mental retardation adult developmental services facilities or substance abuse 
facilities that are: 
A.  Contractors under or receiving support under the Federal Community Mental 
Health Centers Act, or its successors; or 
B.  Receiving support from the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant 
to Title 5, section 20005 or Title 34-B, section 3604, 5433 or 6204. 
Sec. A-136.  36 MRSA §2551, sub-§1-B, as amended by PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. 
DDD, §2, is further amended to read: 
1-B.  Community support services for persons with intellectual disabilities or 
autism.  "Community support services for persons with mental retardation intellectual 
disabilities or autism" means services: 
A.  That are provided by community-based agencies to children or adults with mental 
retardation intellectual disabilities or autism and include assistance with the 
acquisition, retention or improvement of self-help, socialization and adaptive living 
skills; and 
B.  That take place in a nonresidential setting separate from the home or facility in 
which the child or adult resides, except when a physician has ordered that such 
services be provided in the child's or adult's home, and focus on enabling the child or 
adult to attain or maintain maximum functional levels. 
"Community support services for persons with mental retardation intellectual disabilities 
or autism" includes only those services provided by designated agencies under a contract 
with the Department of Health and Human Services. 
Sec. A-137.  36 MRSA §2551, sub-§1-G is enacted to read: 
1-G.  Adult developmental services facility.  "Adult developmental services 
facility" means a facility that provides to an adult with an intellectual disability or autism 
any support or assistance that is provided, licensed or funded in whole or in part by the 
Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to Title 34-B, chapter 5 or 6. 
Sec. A-138.  36 MRSA §2551, sub-§7-B, as amended by PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. 
DDD, §3, is further amended to read: 
7-B.  Home support services.  "Home support services" means services provided to 
adults with mental retardation intellectual disabilities or autism, including direct 
assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, personal hygiene and other activities of daily 
living. These services include only those services provided by designated agencies under 
a contract with the Department of Health and Human Services and: 
A.  May include assistance with instrumental activities of daily living such as 
assistance with the preparation of meals, but does not include the cost of the meals 
themselves; 
B.  If specified in the adult's care plan, may include such housekeeping chores as bed 
making, dusting and vacuuming that are incidental to the care furnished, or are 
essential to the health and welfare of the adult; and 
C.  May be provided by a provider unrelated to the adult or by an adult relative other 
than an adult recipient's spouse, but may not be provided in the same setting where 
residential training is provided. 
Sec. A-139.  36 MRSA §2552, sub-§1, ¶I, as amended by PL 2009, c. 434, §29, 
is further amended to read: 
I.  Community support services for persons with mental retardation intellectual 
disabilities or autism;  
Sec. A-140.  36 MRSA §2557, sub-§6, as amended by PL 2007, c. 438, §60, is 
further amended to read: 
6.  Community mental health facilities, community adult developmental services 
facilities and community substance abuse facilities.  Sales to mental health facilities, 
mental retardation adult developmental services facilities or substance abuse facilities that 
are: 
A.  Contractors under or receiving support under the federal Community Mental 
Health Centers Act, or its successors; or 
B.  Receiving support from the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant 
to Title 5, section 20005 or Title 34-B, section 3604, 5433 or 6204; 
Sec. A-141.  36 MRSA §2559, as amended by PL 2009, c. 213, Pt. S, §13 and 
affected by §16, is further amended to read: 
§2559.  Application of revenues 
Revenues derived by the tax imposed by this chapter must be credited to a General 
Fund suspense account.  On or before the last day of each month, the State Controller 
shall transfer a percentage of the revenues received by the State Tax Assessor during the 
preceding month pursuant to the tax imposed by section 2552, subsection 1, paragraphs A 
to F and L to the Local Government Fund as provided by Title 30-A, section 5681, 
subsection 5.  The balance remaining in the General Fund suspense account must be 
transferred to service provider tax General Fund revenue.  On or before the 15th day of 
each month, the State Controller shall transfer all revenues received by the assessor 
during the preceding month pursuant to the tax imposed by section 2552, subsection 1, 
paragraphs G to J to the Medical Care Services Other Special Revenue Funds account, 
the Other Special Revenue Funds Mental Health Services - Community Medicaid 
program, the Medicaid Services - Mental Retardation Adult Developmental Services 
program and the Office of Substance Abuse - Medicaid Seed program within the 
Department of Health and Human Services. 
Sec. A-142.  36 MRSA §2871, sub-§3-B is enacted to read: 
3-B.  Intermediate care facility for persons with intellectual disabilities.  
"Intermediate care facility for persons with intellectual disabilities" has the same meaning 
as in Title 34-B, section 1001, subsection 4-B. 
Sec. A-143.  36 MRSA §2871, sub-§6, as amended by PL 2003, c. 2, Pt. GG, §1 
and affected by §3, is further amended to read: 
6.  Residential treatment facility.  "Residential treatment facility" means an 
intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded persons with intellectual disabilities, 
or a level I assisted living facility for the mentally retarded persons with intellectual 
disabilities or autism, that falls within the definitions provided by the United States Social 
Security Act, 42 United States Code, Section 1396(d) and that provides services to 
individuals with developmental disabilities.  "Residential treatment facility" also means a 
community-based facility that provides similar services to the developmentally disabled 
under a waiver granted pursuant to the United States Social Security Act, 42 United 
States Code, Section 1396n(c) to the extent permitted by federal law and regulations. 
Sec. A-144.  Maine Revised Statutes headnote amended; revision clause.  
In the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 34-B, chapter 5, in the chapter headnote, the words 
"mental retardation" are amended to read "intellectual disabilities and autism" and the 
Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or 
republishing the statutes. 
Sec. A-145.  Maine Revised Statutes headnote amended; revision clause.  
In the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 34-B, chapter 5, subchapter 2, in the subchapter 
headnote, the words "mental retardation services" are amended to read "services for 
persons with intellectual disabilities or autism" and the Revisor of Statutes shall 
implement this revision when updating, publishing or republishing the statutes. 
Sec. A-146.  Maine Revised Statutes headnote amended; revision clause.  
In the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 34-B, chapter 5, subchapter 3, in the subchapter 
headnote, the words "services for mentally retarded persons" are amended to read 
"services for persons with intellectual disabilities or autism" and the Revisor of Statutes 
shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or republishing the statutes. 
Sec. A-147.  Maine Revised Statutes headnote amended; revision clause.  
In the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 34-B, chapter 5, subchapter 4, in the subchapter 
headnote, the words "rights of persons with mental retardation or autism" are amended to 
read "rights of persons with intellectual disabilities or autism" and the Revisor of Statutes 
shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or republishing the statutes. 
PART B 
Sec. B-1.  Rename Consent Decree Reinvestment Fund - BDS-MR 
program.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Consent Decree 
Reinvestment Fund - BDS-MR program within the Department of Health and Human 
Services is renamed the Consent Decree Reinvestment Fund - Intellectual Disabilities 
Services program. 
Sec. B-2.  Rename Community Development Fund - Mental Retardation 
program.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Community Development 
Fund - Mental Retardation program within the Department of Health and Human Services 
is renamed the Community Development Fund - Intellectual Disabilities Services 
program. 
Sec. B-3.  Rename Community Development - Mental Retardation 
program.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Community Development - 
Mental Retardation program within the Department of Health and Human Services is 
renamed the Community Development - Intellectual Disabilities Services program. 
Sec. B-4.  Rename MR/Elderly PNMI Room and Board program.  
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the MR/Elderly PNMI Room and Board 
program within the Department of Health and Human Services is renamed the PNMI 
Room and Board program. 
Sec. B-5.  Rules, forms, policies and publications.  When adopting or 
amending its rules and developing, publishing and issuing forms, policies and 
publications, the Department of Health and Human Services, as appropriate, shall replace 
references to "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" with references to "intellectual 
disability" and "person with an intellectual disability" and shall ensure that language 
referring to persons with disabilities is consistent with the recommendations of the 
respectful language working group contained in the report submitted by the Maine 
Developmental Disabilities Council to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and 
Human Services pursuant to Resolve 2007, chapter 62. 
Sec. B-6.  Intent; effect.  This Act is not intended to and does not change the 
eligibility requirements for services or benefits or result in an expansion of services or 
benefits provided by the Department of Health and Human Services. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
Part A of this bill implements the recommendations of the Department of Health and 
Human Services and the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council regarding respectful 
language developed pursuant to Public Law 2011, chapter 186, Part B and makes other 
minor technical amendments to those statutory provisions to conform them to current 
drafting standards. 
Part B renames certain programs within the Department of Health and Human 
Services.  It also directs the department, when adopting or amending its rules and when 
developing, publishing and issuing forms, policies and publications, to replace references 
to "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" with references to "intellectual disability" 
and "person with an intellectual disability" and to ensure that language referring to 
persons with disabilities is consistent with the recommendations of the respectful 
language working group contained in the report submitted by the Maine Developmental 
Disabilities Council to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services 
pursuant to Resolve 2007, chapter 62. 
Approved: 03/02/12
LD 1845
LR 2710(01)
Fiscal Detail and Notes
The additional costs to the Department of Health and Human Services can be absorbed utilizing existing budgeted 
resources.
An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Department of Health and Human Services and 
the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council Regarding Respectful Language
Fiscal Note for Original Bill
Committee: Health and Human Services
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Minor cost increase - General Fund
LR2710(01) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1