Resolve, To Improve Access to Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment Services for Children from Birth to 8 Years of Age
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1635
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: CARSON, FARNSWORTH, CLAXTON, DAVIS, GRATWICK, MOORE, MADIGAN, MEYER, PERRY, REED

Legislative Document
No. 1635
S.P. 524
In Senate, April 25, 2019
Resolve, To Improve Access to Early and Periodic Screening, 
Diagnostic and Treatment Services for Children from Birth to 8 
Years of Age
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator CARSON of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Representative FARNSWORTH of Portland and
Senators: CLAXTON of Androscoggin, DAVIS of Piscataquis, GRATWICK of Penobscot, 
MOORE of Washington, Representatives: MADIGAN of Waterville, MEYER of Eliot, 
PERRY of Calais, REED of Carmel.
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, research on early childhood emphasizes the importance of identifying 
child development challenges as early as possible and addressing the needs of young 
children from birth to 8 years of age to ensure their successful participation in early and 
lifelong learning; and
Whereas, data indicates that Maine ranks 50th in the nation for the rate of infants 
provided with early intervention services for developmental delays; and
Whereas, recent brain research has shown that it is essential to address child health 
and well-being issues as early as possible and to provide children with services they need 
to thrive in school; and
Whereas, the MaineCare program is underused for early and periodic screening, 
diagnostic and treatment services provided to eligible children; and
Whereas, there is a lack of information about the capacity of state or federally 
funded programs and services to serve the needs of Maine children from birth to 8 years 
of age that needs to be remedied as soon as possible; 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.  The Department of Health and Human Services to convene a 
stakeholder group.  Resolved:  That the Department of Health and Human Services, 
in consultation with the Department of Education, shall convene the participants in the 
federally funded Developmental Systems Integration initiative to determine the capacity 
of the State to respond to its child find responsibilities as required under the federal 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and to provide early and periodic screening, 
diagnostic and treatment services, referred to in this resolve as "EPSDT services," to 
children from birth to 8 years of age, the gaps in services and the costs of addressing 
those gaps.  The Department of Health and Human Services shall submit a report with the 
findings to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.  The report 
must include the following:
1.  Data on the number, ages and geographic locations of children from birth to 8 
years of age receiving EPSDT services;
2.  The capacity of the State to ensure that all children from birth to 8 years of age 
who require EPSDT services are located and identified by child find and receive services;
3.  Current levels of federal and state funding designated or available to support child 
find and EPSDT services for children from birth to 8 years of age;
4.  Barriers that impede access to child find and EPSDT services;
5.  Shortages of providers of child find and EPSDT services including a breakdown 
by county of those shortages and a breakdown by specific service;
6.  An assessment of the comprehensive developmental screening for children from 
birth to 8 years of age in relation to the recommendations of the American Academy of 
Pediatrics;
7.  An assessment of the deficits in comprehensive developmental screening; and
8.  An estimate of the costs to address the shortages in child find and EPSDT services 
and any recommendations to ensure or expand services so that all children from birth to 8 
years of age are adequately served regardless of health insurance status, age, geographic 
location or type of developmental delay or disability identified.
The department shall submit the report no later than December 30, 2019.  The Joint 
Standing Committee on Health and Human Services may report out legislation relating to 
the subject matter of the report to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This emergency resolve requires the Department of Health and Human Services, in 
consultation with the Department of Education, to convene the participants of the 
federally funded Developmental Systems Integration initiative to determine the capacity 
of the State to provide child find and early and periodic screening, diagnostic and 
treatment services to children from birth to 8 years of age, the gaps in services and the 
costs of addressing those gaps.  The report must be submitted to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Health and Human Services no later than December 30, 2019.