Resolve, to Maintain Access to Home and Community-based
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1509
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: STOVER, MOORE

Legislative Document
No. 1509
H.P. 993
House of Representatives, April 8, 2025
Resolve, to Maintain Access to Home and Community-based 
Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism Spectrum 
Disorder or Brain Injury
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative STOVER of Boothbay.
Cosponsored by Senator MOORE of Washington and
Representatives: CRAFTS of Newcastle, DUCHARME of Madison, GATTINE of Westbrook, 
GRAMLICH of Old Orchard Beach, JAVNER of Chester, MCCABE of Lewiston, POIRIER 
of Skowhegan, Senator: RENY of Lincoln.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, 5,000 adults with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder or brain 
injury rely on MaineCare services to ensure access to individualized employment, 
community engagement, daily living and vital residential and intensive care and support 
services each day in Maine; and
Whereas, the community-based providers that deliver these services rely on 
MaineCare service reimbursement rates to deliver these services; and
Whereas, pursuant to current law, in September of 2023, the Department of Health 
and Human Services initiated a rate determination process for rule Chapter 101: MaineCare 
Benefits Manual, Chapters II and III, Sections 18, 20, 21 and 29 and a lifespan home and 
community-based services program and providers of these services participated in a survey 
providing cost data from fiscal year 2023 for the rate study and determination process; and
Whereas, the subsequent rates proposed from this determination process have not 
been released for public comment or adopted as anticipated as of January 1, 2025; and
Whereas, the implementation date for the rate determination for these MaineCare 
services has been tied to the launch of new services for adults with disabilities under a new 
state waiver, referred to as "the Lifespan Waiver," the launch date of which has been pushed 
back an additional year to July 2026; 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. Rate studies and rate determinations required for services for adults 
with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder or brain injury. 
Resolved:  That, no later than July 1, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services 
shall propose and implement the rates as determined by the rate study started by the 
department  in 2023 and carried out pursuant to the provisions of the Maine Revised 
Statutes, Title 22, section 3173‑J for services provided by home and community-based 
services providers under rule Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapters II and 
III, Sections 18, 20, 21 and 29.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Department of Health and Human Services to propose and 
implement the rates as determined by the department's rate study  begun in 2023 and carried 
out pursuant to the provisions of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 3173‑J for 
services provided by home and community-based services providers under rule Chapter 
101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapters II and III, Sections 18, 20, 21 and 29 to adults 
with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder or brain injury.