Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services to Study the Scarcity of Licensed Clinical Behavioral Health Professionals Across the State
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1506
Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
Sponsors: SARGENT, INGWERSEN, CRAFTS, DODGE, GOLEK, GRAMLICH, MADIGAN, MATHIESON, MEYER, MOORE

Legislative Document
No. 1506
H.P. 961
House of Representatives, April 5, 2023
Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services to 
Study the Scarcity of Licensed Clinical Behavioral Health 
Professionals Across the State
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services 
suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative SARGENT of York.
Cosponsored by Senator INGWERSEN of York and
Representatives: CRAFTS of Newcastle, DODGE of Belfast, GOLEK of Harpswell, 
GRAMLICH of Old Orchard Beach, MADIGAN of Waterville, MATHIESON of Kittery, 
MEYER of Eliot, Senator: MOORE of Washington.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, this legislation must take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period 
in order for the stakeholder group established by the Department of Health and Human 
Services pursuant to this legislation to be timely convened; 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.  Department of Health and Human Services study required; training 
and recruitment of clinical behavioral health care professionals.  Resolved:  
That the Department of Health and Human Services shall convene a stakeholder group to 
study issues related to the training and recruitment of clinical behavioral health care 
professionals.  At a minimum, the department shall invite to be members of the stakeholder 
group representatives of major health care providers in the State, representatives of major 
behavioral health care providers in the State, representatives of a major mental health 
organization in the State, licensed clinical social workers and licensed professional 
counselors.  The stakeholder group shall review issues related to: the current number of 
psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, psychological nurse 
practitioners and licensed clinical professional counselors currently practicing in the State; 
the number of those professionals serving MaineCare patients; the number of additional 
professionals needed to meet the current unmet need in the State; the state of current 
waiting lists for mental health treatment; access to educational opportunities to train clinical 
behavioral health care professionals in the State; costs associated with education programs 
for clinical behavioral health care professionals in the State; methods to enable individuals 
to work in the clinical behavioral health care field while attaining a degree or certification, 
including opportunities to count time working in the field toward attaining an advanced 
degree or certification; and ways to recruit clinical behavioral health care professionals 
from out of state.  By December 6, 2023, the department shall submit a report related to the 
study, including recommendations and any suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Health and Human Services.  The committee may report out a bill relating 
to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve requires the Department of Health and Human Services to convene a 
stakeholder group to review issues related to the training and recruitment of clinical 
behavioral health care professionals.  The resolve requires the department to submit a report 
related to the study to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services and 
authorizes the committee to report out a bill relating to the report.