An Act to Improve the Transition to Adult Services for Children with Intellectual Disabilities
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1106
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: POIRIER, CARNEY, BRADSTREET, COLLAMORE, FAULKINGHAM, JAVNER, MOONEN, MORIARTY, RECKITT
Amends: 20-A MRSA §7202, 34-B MRSA §5201

Legislative Document
No. 1106
H.P. 702
House of Representatives, March 9, 2023
An Act to Improve the Transition to Adult Services for Children 
with Intellectual Disabilities
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative POIRIER of Skowhegan.
Cosponsored by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland and
Representatives: BRADSTREET of Vassalboro, COLLAMORE of Pittsfield, 
FAULKINGHAM of Winter Harbor, JAVNER of Chester, MOONEN of Portland, 
MORIARTY of Cumberland, RECKITT of South Portland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §7202, sub-§11, as corrected by RR 2011, c. 1, §28, is 
amended to read:
11.  Transitional services for students with disabilities.  Plan, coordinate and 
implement services for students with disabilities who are in transition from school to 
community in accordance with rules adopted by the department and assist in providing 
outreach and education regarding services provided by the Department of Health and 
Human Services pursuant to Title 34-B, section 5201, subsection 3-A.  Rules adopted 
pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, 
subchapter 2‑A; and
Sec. 2.  34-B MRSA §5201, sub-§3-A is enacted to read:
3-A.  Transitional services and outreach.  Providing outreach and education 
regarding services provided pursuant to this section and transitional services pursuant to 
Title 20-A, section 7202, subsection 11, to a child with a disability as defined in Title 20-A, 
section 7001, subsection 1-B receiving services in school administrative units and that 
child's family.  The department shall regularly provide educational information about 
services available to adults receiving services under this chapter, transitional services and 
assistance with any relevant applications for services, including services that have waiting 
lists, to families beginning when the child receiving services in a school administrative unit 
is 15 years of age;
Sec. 3.  Department of Health and Human Services liaison team.  The 
Department of Health and Human Services shall establish a liaison team within the 
department to provide education and outreach to children with intellectual disabilities 
receiving services in school administrative units and those children's families regarding 
transitional services provided under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 7202, 
subsection 11 and services those children will be eligible for under Title 34-B, chapter 5 as 
adults.  The liaison team shall provide such education and outreach at schools and other 
appropriate locations, meet with families and provide assistance with applications for adult 
services that have waiting lists.  Education and outreach services must be provided on a 
regular basis at least annually.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a liaison 
team within the department to provide education and outreach to children with intellectual 
disabilities receiving services at school and those children's families on transitional services 
and services available to adults with intellectual disabilities.  This team must provide 
educational and outreach services, including assistance with applications for services with 
waiting lists, at schools and other appropriate locations.  School administrative units are 
required to assist the liaison team with providing transitional services.  Education and 
outreach services must be provided on a regular basis, at least annually, beginning when 
the child receiving services at school is 15 years of age.