An Act To Clear Waiting Lists for and Ensure Timely Access to Mental Health Services for Maine Children
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 0496
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: GRAMLICH, BAILEY, CRAVEN, MADIGAN, PEBWORTH, PERRY, SACHS, STOVER, WHITE

Legislative Document
No. 496
H.P. 359
House of Representatives, February 19, 2021
An Act To Clear Waiting Lists for and Ensure Timely Access to 
Mental Health Services for Maine Children
(EMERGENCY)
Received by the Clerk of the House on February 17, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
Health and Human Services pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint 
Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative GRAMLICH of Old Orchard Beach.
Cosponsored by Senator BAILEY of York and
Representatives: CRAVEN of Lewiston, MADIGAN of Waterville, McCREIGHT of 
Harpswell, PEBWORTH of Blue Hill, PERRY of Calais, SACHS of Freeport, STOVER of 
Boothbay, WHITE of Waterville.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, behavioral health services are an important service for an individual's 
overall health and well-being; and
Whereas, rates of reimbursement for services create barriers to the abundance of 
services provided;
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:
Sec. 1.  Department of Health and Human Services to increase MaineCare 
rates.  That, no later than July 1, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services 
shall amend its rule Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 65, 
Behavioral Health Services, Children's Home and Community Based Treatment, and 
Section 97, Appendix D, Principles of Reimbursement for Child Care Facilities, to increase 
reimbursement rates by 30%.
Sec. 2.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Medical Care - Payments to Providers 0147
Initiative: Provides funding to increase rates in department rule Chapter 101: MaineCare 
Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 65, Behavioral Health Services, Children's Home 
and Community Based Treatment, by 30% and in Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits 
Manual, Chapter III, Section 97, Appendix D, Principles of Reimbursement for Child Care 
Facilities, by 30%, by July 1, 2021.
GENERAL FUND
2021-22
2022-23
All Other
$8,770,847
$8,770,847
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$8,770,847
$8,770,847
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND
2021-22
2022-23
All Other
$17,984,466
$17,984,466
__________
__________
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOTAL
$17,984,466
$17,984,466
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS
2021-22
2022-23
All Other
$1,118,937
$1,118,937
__________
__________
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL
$1,118,937
$1,118,937
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill provides funding to increase rates in rule Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits 
Manual, Chapter III, Section 65, Behavioral Health Services, Children's Home and 
Community Based Treatment and Section 97, Appendix D, Principles of Reimbursement 
for Child Care Facilities by 30% no later than July 1, 2021.