129th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1007		LR 2085(03)
	Resolve, To Change the Educational Requirements of Certain Behavioral Health Professionals
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with: C "A" (H-499)
	Committee: Health and Human Services
Fiscal Note
Potential current biennium cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	Changing the educational requirements to qualify to be a behavioral health professional (BHP) providing children's home and community-based treatment will lead to an increase in the number of BHPs and an increase in the amount of professional training required by BHPs. Currently, the training for BHPs is provided through a 3rd-party contract funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This bill allows the DHHS to amend or establish contracts to stay within existing resources while training a greater number of individuals. The DHHS may make any changes necessary, including choosing to charge fees from individuals or their employers, in order to offer the training within existing resources. As this bill provides no new funding, the impact of these new costs on other programs in the DHHS cannot be determined at this time.