Sec. 1. Improving delivery of services. The Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services and the Department of Human Services shall review their rules regarding the delivery of mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse services to older persons, identify barriers to the delivery of those services and revise rules as necessary to improve the delivery of those services. The departments shall include in the process central and regional office personnel and representatives of provider agencies and advocacy groups. In particular, the departments shall consider the use of a single form for the release of information, uniform service definitions and reimbursement codes and standard contract protocols for interagency referrals. By February 1, 2002, the departments shall report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services on their actions to improve the delivery of services. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined by the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.

Sec. 2. Access to services. The Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services and the Department of Human Services shall review their rules regarding access to services for older persons with coexisting dementia, mental illness, mental retardation or substance abuse, identify barriers to access to those services and revise rules as necessary to improve access to those services. The departments shall include in the process central and regional office personnel and representatives of provider agencies and advocacy groups. By February 1, 2002, the departments shall report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services on their actions to improve access to services. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined by the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.

Sec. 3. Semiannual reports. Beginning February 1, 2003 and semiannually thereafter, the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services and the Department of Human Services shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters regarding access to and the delivery of services for older persons with mental illness, mental retardation, dementia, aging or substance abuse problems.

Sec. 4. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.