127th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1577		LR 2589(02)
	An Act To Increase the Availability of Mental Health Services
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Health and Human Services
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Current biennium cost increase - General Fund Current biennium cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds Current biennium revenue increase - Other Special Revenue Funds
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to create priorities for placement of certain individuals in the custody of the Commissioner of Health and Human Services. The bill also requires that the DHHS, by December 31, 2016, shall develop a facility separate from the Riverview Psychiatric Center that will provide the least restrictive setting possible for forensic patients in the custody of the Commissioner of Health and Human Services and for whom the DHHS verified a hospital level of care is no longer needed. For comparison, the DHHS currently has a contract with an out of state provider to provide this service to similar individuals at a cost of $494 per bed per day. It is not known at this time how many total beds would be needed, what staffing levels would be or when it is feasible to assume this unit would be created. Some federal money may be available to offset some of the staffing costs of a new facility. Construction of a facility would be a cost of the General Fund. No estimate of the increased cost can be made at this time. This bill also requires the DHHS, by August 1, 2016 and at least every ninety days thereafter, to submit a written report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over the State’s psychiatric hospitals. Any additional costs to the DHHS to fulfill these reporting requirements are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.