An Act To Strengthen Supports for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism in Crisis

Sec. 1. 34-B MRSA §5206, sub-§8  is enacted to read:

Sec. 2. Department of Health and Human Services to study rate changes and rate structure for persons with intellectual disabilities or autism. The Department of Health and Human Services shall study the existing services for persons with intellectual disabilities or autism and determine the adequacy of the MaineCare reimbursement methodology and rates paid to providers for meeting the needs of persons with intellectual disabilities or autism at risk for out-of-home placement due to challenging behavior that affects health and safety. The department shall report its findings, along with recommendations and any suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services no later than January 30, 2020. The committee is authorized to report out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.

Sec. 3. Rulemaking. The Department of Health and Human Services shall provisionally adopt rules that are required pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 34-B, section 5206, subsection 8 no later than April 1, 2020.