An Act to Ensure the Financial Stability of Behavioral Health Services Providers and Housing Assistance Providers
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 2082
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: BENNETT, SACHS, BALDACCI, ROTUNDO, TIMBERLAKE, CARLOW, MATLACK, SALISBURY, SHAGOURY, TALBOT ROSS
Amends: 34-B MRSA §3012

Legislative Document
No. 2082
S.P. 875
In Senate, January 3, 2024
An Act to Ensure the Financial Stability of Behavioral Health 
Services Providers and Housing Assistance Providers
(EMERGENCY)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203.
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator BENNETT of Oxford.
Cosponsored by Representative SACHS of Freeport and
Senators: BALDACCI of Penobscot, ROTUNDO of Androscoggin, TIMBERLAKE of 
Androscoggin, Representatives: CARLOW of Buxton, MATLACK of St. George, 
SALISBURY of Westbrook, SHAGOURY of Hallowell, Speaker TALBOT ROSS of Portland.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the Department of Health and Human Services has been slow to finalize 
contracts with and make payments to behavioral health services providers and housing 
assistance providers under the Bridging Rental Assistance Program and the federal shelter 
plus care program; and
Whereas, the department relies on these providers to provide services; and
Whereas, delays in contract awards, finalization and payments have required 
providers to access loans or lines of credit to bridge temporary financial gaps; and
Whereas, without timely payments from the department, providers must pay 
expenses, including rent to landlords for housing, out of the provider's own line of credit, 
which can create cash flow challenges that threaten the provider's solvency; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  34-B MRSA §3012 is enacted to read:
§3012.  Administrative expenses and interest charged to providers accessing lines of 
credit or loans
The department shall pay administrative expenses and interest charged on lines of 
credit or loans accessed by behavioral health services providers and housing assistance 
providers when a delay in awarding, finalization or payment of a department contract 
requires the provider to access the line of credit or loan.  For purposes of this section, 
"housing assistance providers" include the Bridging Rental Assistance Program established 
in section 3011 and the federal shelter plus care program authorized by the federal 
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, Public Law 100-77 (1987) as amended by the 
federal Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009, 
Public Law 111-22, Division B (2009).
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to pay administrative 
expenses and interest charged on lines of credit or loans accessed by behavioral health 
services providers and housing assistance providers when a delay in department contract 
award, finalization or payments requires the provider to access the line of credit or loan.