Resolve, to Increase the Availability of Community Children's Behavioral Health Services by Providing Training and Career Opportunities for Behavioral Health Professionals
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1440
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: MADIGAN, GRAMLICH, PERRY

Legislative Document
No. 1440
H.P. 936
House of Representatives, March 30, 2023
Resolve, to Increase the Availability of Community Children's 
Behavioral Health Services by Providing Training and Career 
Opportunities for Behavioral Health Professionals
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative MADIGAN of Waterville.
Cosponsored by Representatives: GRAMLICH of Old Orchard Beach, PERRY of Calais.
Sec. 1. Department of Health and Human Services to develop course 
curriculum, credential and career path for behavioral health professionals 
serving children in the community.  Resolved:  That the Department of Health and 
Human Services, Office of MaineCare Services and Office of Child and Family Services 
shall coordinate in the development of a course curriculum, credential and career path for 
behavioral health professionals.  The course curriculum must be offered through 
community college courses around the State or by a contracted agency with multiple sites 
around the State.  Individuals participating in the course curriculum must have a high 
school diploma or equivalent and a driver's license.  The course curriculum must lead to a 
credential that is sufficient to satisfy department licensing requirements for any behavioral 
health professional providing services to children in the community.  The department shall 
also coordinate the development of a career path for behavioral health professionals serving 
children in the community.  The career path must allow for individuals who have met the 
course curriculum requirements with a corresponding credential that is portable across 
behavioral health fields.
Sec. 2. Incentives.  Resolved:  That the Department of Health and Human Services 
shall explore options for providing incentives to individuals wishing to pursue the course 
curriculum developed pursuant to section 1, including but not limited to grants or free or 
reduced tuition.
Sec. 3. Weekly supervision requirements.  Resolved:  That, no later than 
January 1, 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services shall require that all 
behavioral health professionals receive no less than one hour per week of supervision by a 
licensed clinician.  The supervision may be in a group or individual setting.
Sec. 4. MaineCare rates for behavioral health professionals serving 
children in the community.  Resolved:  That the Department of Health and Human 
Services shall amend its rules in Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Section 28, 
Rehabilitative and Community Support Services for Children with Cognitive Impairments 
and Functional Limitations, and Section 65, Behavioral Health Services, to increase 
MaineCare rates for services provided by behavioral health professionals to children in the 
community.  Rate increases must apply only to those behavioral health professionals who 
have completed the course curriculum requirements and received the credential pursuant 
to section 1 to allow for a livable wage to be earned by the behavioral health professional.  
The department shall increase the rates to take effect as new behavioral health professionals 
complete the course curriculum and credential requirements.  Rules adopted pursuant to 
this section are routine technical rules as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, 
chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
SUMMARY
This resolve requires the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of 
MaineCare Services and Office of Child and Family Services to coordinate the 
development of a course curriculum, credential and career path for behavioral health 
professionals providing services to children in the community.  The course curriculum must 
be offered through community college courses around the State or by a contracted agency 
with multiple sites around the State.  The course curriculum must lead to a credential that 
is portable and sufficient to satisfy department licensing requirements for any behavioral 
health professional serving children in the community.  The department shall explore 
options for providing incentives to individuals wishing to pursue the course curriculum, 
including but not limited to grants or free or reduced tuition.  The resolve also requires 
MaineCare program rates to be increased for services provided by behavioral health 
professionals with the training.  The resolve requires that all behavioral health professionals 
providing services to children in the community receive one hour per week of clinical 
supervision.