Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services To Develop a Comprehensive Statewide Strategic Plan To Serve Maine People with Behavioral Health Needs throughout Their Lifespans
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1262
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: BREEN, WARREN, FAY, MADIGAN, TALBOT ROSS

Legislative Document
No. 1262
S.P. 412
In Senate, March 29, 2021
Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services 
To Develop a Comprehensive Statewide Strategic Plan To Serve 
Maine People with Behavioral Health Needs throughout Their 
Lifespans
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on March 25, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
Health and Human Services pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator BREEN of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Representative WARREN of Hallowell and
Representatives: FAY of Raymond, MADIGAN of Waterville, TALBOT ROSS of Portland.
Sec. 1.  Department of Health and Human Services to develop a 
comprehensive statewide strategic plan to serve people in the State with 
behavioral health needs throughout their lifespans.  Resolved: That, within 
existing resources, the Department of Health and Human Services shall develop a vision 
and comprehensive statewide strategic plan to serve people in the State with behavioral 
health needs throughout their lifespans, referred to in this resolve as "the plan."  For 
purposes of this resolve, "behavioral health" includes a wide range of mental disorders and 
illnesses, substance use disorder and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum 
disorder.
Sec. 2.  Plan participation.  Resolved: That the department's Office of Child and 
Family Services, office of behavioral health and office of aging and disability services shall 
draft the plan in collaboration with the Legislature, other agencies of the executive branch, 
indigenous and tribal populations of the State, the Permanent Commission on the Status of 
Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal Populations, consumer groups, service providers, 
public safety organizations, law enforcement organizations, hospitals and the LGBTQ 
community.  For purposes of this resolve, "LGBTQ" includes but is not limited to lesbian, 
gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual.
Sec. 3.  Elements of plan.  Resolved: That, in drafting the plan, the department 
shall address, as they relate to behavioral health:
1.  Protection of consumer choice;
2.  Evidence-based treatments;
3.  Early screenings, detection and interventions for all children up to 6 years of age;
4.  Identifying and serving children from 6 years of age to 20 years of age in school 
settings, including screenings and providing early interventions where appropriate;
5.  Public health screenings for families at risk of adverse childhood experiences;
6.  Children in state custody;
7.  Children who are incarcerated;
8.  Best practices for a successful transition from children's to adult services;
9.  Adults who are incarcerated;
10.  Workforce development at all levels;
11.  Availability of diagnosis and treatment in the least restrictive environment at all 
levels, including:
A.  Hotlines and so-called warmlines;
B.  Suicide prevention;
C.  Crisis services, including response to 9-1-1 calls, safety assessments and 
stabilization;
D.  Outpatient treatment;
E.  Medication management;
F.  Intensive outpatient treatment;
G.  Assertive community treatment;
H.  Community integration and support;
I.  Case management;
J.  Medication-assisted treatment;
K.  Residential treatment for children and adults;
L.  In-home support services;
M.  Supported employment;
N.  Supported short-term and long-term housing;
O.  Applied behavioral analysis;
P.  Occupational therapy;
Q.  Relationship development intervention;
R.  Speech therapy;
S.  Telehealth;
T.  Technology-assisted interventions;
U.  Peer support; and
V.  Family support;
12.  Discharge planning from inpatient settings;
13.  Annual goals to best serve people in the State with behavioral health needs 
throughout their lifespans;
14.  Methods of measuring and sharing progress toward carrying out the purposes of 
this resolve with the Legislature; and
15.  A financial plan and budget and sources of revenue to best serve people in the State 
with behavioral health needs throughout their lifespans.
Sec. 4.  Report.  Resolved: That, by December 7, 2022, the department shall submit 
the plan along with any recommendations and suggested legislation to the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters.  
The joint standing committee having jurisdiction over health and human services matters 
may report out legislation based upon the plan to the First Regular Session of the 131st 
Legislature.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Department of Health and Human Services, including the 
department's Office of Child and Family Services, office of behavioral health and office of 
aging and disability services and a variety of other interested parties and stakeholders, to 
develop a vision and comprehensive statewide strategic plan to serve people in the State 
with behavioral health needs throughout their lifespans.