Resolve, To Increase Funding for Evidence-based Therapies for Treating Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Children (AFTER DEADLINE)
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1868
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: MADIGAN, BREEN, AUSTIN, DENNO, DOORE, HANDY, HYMANSON, MALABY, TALBOT ROSS, WARREN

Legislative Document
No. 1868
H.P. 1304
House of Representatives, March 20, 2018
Resolve, To Increase Funding for Evidence-based Therapies for 
Treating Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Children
(AFTER DEADLINE)
(EMERGENCY)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205.
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative MADIGAN of Waterville.
Cosponsored by Senator BREEN of Cumberland and
Representatives: AUSTIN of Skowhegan, DENNO of Cumberland, DOORE of Augusta, 
HANDY of Lewiston, HYMANSON of York, MALABY of Hancock, TALBOT ROSS of 
Portland, WARREN of Hallowell.
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day 
period because MaineCare reimbursement rates for evidence-based therapies for treating 
emotional and behavioral problems in children have not been adjusted in 8 years and are 
insufficient to enable some providers to continue to provide services; 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
Sec. 1.  
Department of Health and Human Services to increase 
MaineCare reimbursement for outpatient psychosocial treatments for 
children.  Resolved:  That the Department of Health and Human Services shall 
increase reimbursement rates under rule Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, 
Chapters II and III, Sections 28, 65 and 97 for evidence-based therapies for treating 
emotional and behavioral problems in children.  These therapies include multisystemic 
therapy, multisystemic therapy for problem sexualized behavior and functional family 
therapy.  These rates must be sufficient to cover all costs to the provider of delivering the 
services, including additional training, to attract enough providers to clear waiting lists 
for services and to attract providers to all areas of the State, including underserved rural 
areas.  These rates must be set on a per case per week basis.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve requires the Department of Health and Human Services to increase the 
MaineCare reimbursement rates for evidence-based therapies for treating emotional and 
behavioral problems in children to rates that cover all costs to the provider of delivering 
the services, including additional training, clear waiting lists and attract providers to all 
areas of the State, including underserved rural areas.  These rates must be set on a per 
case per week basis.