B. That preschool children with disabilities, from age 3 years of age to under age 6 years of age, have free, appropriate public education services available to them at no cost to the family; and

C. That infants and toddlers, from birth to under age 3 years of age, have early intervention services available to them by July 1, 1994 through and that, where applicable, 3rd-party payment or through a system of payments by families, including a schedule of sliding fees, are secured.

Sec. 3. 20-A MRSA §7732-A, sub-§9, as amended by PL 1995, c. 662, §5, is further amended to read:

9. Medicaid cost reimbursement. Following certification by enrollment with the Bureau of Medical Services within the Department of Human Services, seek reimbursement, whenever feasible, for targeted case management and for other Medicaid reimbursable services provided by regional site employees; and

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

The amendments to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, chapter 307-A clarify certain roles and responsibilities in the Child Development Services, or CDS, System, specifically:

1. That when the plan for meeting the requirements of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act exceeds federal minimum requirements, the Department of Education provide justification, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over educational matters, for the difference between the State's plan and the federal statute or regulation;

2. That regional boards are required to seek reimbursement from Medicaid for targeted case management and for Medicaid reimbursable services provided by regional site employees; and

3. That the department is responsible for developing a funding formula for yearly grants to the regional sites, and that this funding formula must ensure adequate yearly funding to the extent permitted by department funding and must provide incentives for cost containment.