An Act To Provide for the Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Educational and Behavioral Assessment of Children Entering State Custody
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0582
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: GRATWICK, TUCKER, BRAKEY, CHIPMAN, CUSHING, DIAMOND, LIBBY, BERRY, HICKMAN, MALABY
Amends: 22 MRSA §4063-A

Legislative Document
No. 582
S.P. 197
In Senate, February 16, 2017
An Act To Provide for the Comprehensive Medical, Dental, 
Educational and Behavioral Assessment of Children Entering State 
Custody
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator GRATWICK of Penobscot.
Cosponsored by Representative TUCKER of Brunswick and
Senators: BRAKEY of Androscoggin, CHIPMAN of Cumberland, CUSHING of Penobscot, 
DIAMOND of Cumberland, LIBBY of Androscoggin, Representatives: BERRY of 
Bowdoinham, HICKMAN of Winthrop, MALABY of Hancock.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  22 MRSA §4063-A, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 194, is amended to read: 
§4063-A.  Medical and psychological examination; comprehensive assessment 
reimbursable 
1.  Physical examination required.  The department shall ensure that a child ordered 
into its custody receives an appointment for a medical examination by a licensed 
physician, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner within 10 3 working days after the 
department's custody of the child commences. 
2.  Psychological assessment.  If the physician or nurse practitioner who performs a 
physical examination pursuant to subsection 1 determines that a psychological assessment 
of the child is appropriate, the department shall ensure that an appointment is obtained for 
such an assessment within 30 days of the physical examination. 
3.  Comprehensive medical, dental, educational and mental health assessment.  
Within 60 days after the department’s custody of a child commences, the department 
shall ensure that the child receives an appointment for a comprehensive medical, dental, 
educational and mental health assessment by a licensed pediatrician and a licensed child 
psychologist and provide reimbursement, including reimbursement for obtaining and 
reviewing relevant records, under MaineCare for the assessment.  The department shall 
adopt routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A to 
implement this subsection. 
SUMMARY 
This bill shortens the time requirement for the physical examination of a child 
ordered into the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services from 10 days 
after the department's custody of the child commences to 3 days and allows a physician's 
assistant to conduct the examination.  It also requires, within 60 days after the 
department's custody of a child commences, that the child receives an appointment for a 
comprehensive medical, dental, educational and mental health assessment by a licensed 
pediatrician and a licensed child psychologist and that reimbursement, including 
reimbursement for obtaining and reviewing relevant records, is provided under 
MaineCare for the assessment.  The department is directed to adopt routine technical 
rules pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.