§1217. Application of consent decree

It is the intent of the Legislature that the principles of the consent decree issued on August 2, 1990 by the Superior Court, Kennebec County, in Civil Action Docket No. 89-88 as they relate to the development of a comprehensive mental health system apply to all persons with severe and prolonged mental illness. The individualized support plan process as contained in the decree in paragraphs 49 through 74, to the extent possible and within available resources, must be applicable to current and future patients of the former Bangor Mental Health Institute and the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center. In addition, patient assessments must be provided to Bangor Mental Health Institute and Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center patients beginning July 1, 1991 and must be completed quarterly until individualized support plan implementation is developed.

Sec. 68. 35-A MRSA §7104, sub-§5, as amended by PL 2005, c. 305, §1 and c. 336, §3, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

5.__Funds for Communications Equipment Fund.__The commission shall annually transfer $85,000 from a state universal service fund established pursuant to this section to the Communications Equipment Fund established under Title 26, section 1419-A.

If the Department of Labor, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services does not receive from federal or other sources funds in addition to the $85,000 sufficient to carry out the purposes of Title 26, section 1419-A, the commission, at the request of the Department of Labor, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, may transfer from the state universal service fund to the Communications Equipment Fund an additional $37,500.

The commission may, upon the request of the Department of Labor, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services and after a finding that the funds are necessary and that sufficient attempts have been made by the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services to maximize federal support to support emergency alert telecommunications service, transfer up to $60,000 in fiscal year 2005-06, up to $90,000 in fiscal year 2006-07 and up to $120,000 in any subsequent fiscal year from the state universal service fund established by this section to the Communications Equipment Fund established under Title 26, section 1419-A for the exclusive purpose of supporting the discount program established under Title 26, section 1419-A, subsection 6.