An Act to Improve
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1216
Committee Amendment CA_A_S561 (Senate)
Amends: 34-B MRSA §1001, 34-B MRSA §3621, 34-B MRSA §3625

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "^4- " to S,P. 505, L.D. 1216, "An Act to Improve
Behavioral Health Crisis Services and Suicide Prevention Services"
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the
following;
'See. 1. 34-B MRSA §1001, sub-§4-C is enacted to read:
4-C. 9-8-8. "9-8-8" means the telephone number designated as the universal telephone
number within the United States for the purpose of the national suicide prevention and
mental health crisis hotline system operating throueh the 9-8-8 smoide_aMcrisis lifeline,
See. 2. 34-B MRSA §1001, sub-§4-D is enacted to read:
4-D. 9-8-8 suicide and crisis Hfellne. "9-8-8^ suicide and crisis lifeline" means a
national network of local crisis services that provide free and confidential emotional
support to peocle in suicidal crisis, behavioral health crisis or emotional distress 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week in the United States. The 9-8-8 suicide and crisis lifeline, or its
successor, is the national suicide prevention and mental health cnsishotHne system
maintained by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use
under the federal Public Health Service Act. 42 United States Code. Section 290bb-36c,
Sec. 3. 34"B MRSA c. 3, sub-c. 3, art. 2, headnote is amended to read;
ARTICLE 2
CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAM
Sec. 4. 34-B MRSA §3621, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 349, Pt. H, §21, is repealed.
Sec. 5. 34-B MRSA §3625 is enacted to read:
S3625. Crisis intervention suouort
Page I - 132LR1956(02)
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "^ " to S.P. 505, L,D. 1216 (,c>' S^<^
The department shall establish crisis intervention support services in all 16 counties.
These services must be comimmitv-based Droerams tliat provide counseUne. consultation,
evaluation, treatment, referral, education and training services, delivered bv a crisis
intervention team, includine mobile crisis intervention teams. The crisis intervention
support services must includei
1. Emereencv room services. Crisis intervention and psychiatric emereencv seryices
based in a hospital emergency room;
2. Outreach services. Outreach services and crisis intervention beyond the hospital
setting; and
3. Telenhone hotline services. A communitv-based telephone crisis intervention
hotline, which must coordinate with the 9-8-8 suicide and crisis lifeline, offering
counseline. consultation, evaluation, treatment and referral services 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week,'
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section
number to read consecutively.
SUMMARY
This amendment replaces the bill, which is a concept draft. The amendment repeals a
section of law that requires crisis intervention services in 4 counties and replaces it with a
requirement for crisis intervention support services to be made available by the Department
of Health and Human Services in all 16 counties in the State. It requires that a community-
based telephone crisis intervention hotline be provided by crisis intervention support
services. The hotline must coordinate with the national 9"8-8 suicide and crisis lifeline,
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)
Page2"132LR19S6(02)
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Approved; 03/17/26 t-Ki-
LD 1216 LR 1956(02)
An Act to Improve Behavioral Health Crisis Services and Suicide Prevention Services
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ^"/^-'^le/
Committee: Health and Human Services
Fiscal Note Required; Yes
Fiscal Note
Minor cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
Any additional costs to the Department of Health and Human Services to implement the provisions of this bill are
expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.
LR1956(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1