| | | Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts and resolves of the Legislature | | do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless | | enacted as emergencies; and |
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| | | Whereas, funds have been appropriated for use by the | | Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services for the | | development of short-term residential services for children | | with mental retardation or autism; and |
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| | | Whereas, these funds are scheduled to lapse if not expended by | | July 1, 2003; and |
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| | | 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 |
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| | | Sec. 1. Services for children with autistic disorders or mental retardation. Resolved: | | That, notwithstanding Public Law 2001, chapter 439, Part A, | | the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services shall | | use funds appropriated for the purpose of developing short- | | term residential services for children with mental retardation | | or autism in Public Law 2001, chapter 439, Part A to address | | the crisis-related needs of children with autistic disorders | | or mental retardation. The department shall provide training | | to reduce the reliance on emergency rooms, crisis intervention | | teams and inpatient services by children with autistic | | disorders or mental retardation. The department may either | | provide the training or contract out this requirement through | | the request-for-proposal process, but the training must begin | | no later than May 1, 2003. |
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| | | Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the | | preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved. |
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| | | Public Law 2001, chapter 439, Part A appropriated $150,000 | | in fiscal year 2001-02 and $150,000 in fiscal year 2002-03 to | | be used by the Department of Behavioral and Developmental | | Services for the development of short-term residential | | services for children with mental retardation or autism. | | Although a request for proposal was done, no contract was | | completed in fiscal year 2001-02, and $150,000 lapsed to the | | General Fund. |
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| | | This resolve directs the department to provide training to | | reduce the reliance on emergency rooms, crisis intervention | | teams |
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