Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following:
‘Resolve, To Improve Early Diagnosis, Treatment and Outcomes for Youth and Young Adults with, or at Risk for, Serious Mental Health Conditions’
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and inserting the following:
‘Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, this legislation directs the Department of Health and Human Services to apply for federal grant funding to provide services and supports to address serious mental health conditions, co-occurring disorders and the risks for developing serious mental health conditions among youth 16 to 26 years of age; and
Whereas, the immediate enactment of this legislation is necessary in order to meet the timelines for grant applications established by the Federal Government; and
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
Sec. 1. Federal grant funding. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall apply for, accept, receive and use as appropriate for and on behalf of the State any grant money provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration under the "Now is the Time" Healthy Transitions: Improving Life Trajectories for Youth and Young Adults with, or at Risk for, Serious Mental Health Conditions grant program to provide services and supports to address serious mental health conditions, co-occurring disorders and the risks for developing serious mental health conditions among youth 16 to 26 years of age. For youth with existing mental health conditions, including those experiencing early signs of serious mental illness, the grant funds must be used to improve access to relevant child-serving or adult-serving systems and implement effective evidence-based services and continuity of care to improve transitions to adulthood and to improve outcomes. If any grant money is received pursuant this section, the department shall ensure that the MaineCare program provides access to care coordination and assertive community treatment services for eligible persons who are 26 years of age or younger who meet the criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, published by the American Psychiatric Association and who experience significant impairment in function as determined by a licensed mental health provider.
The department shall apply for grant money for which it is eligible as soon as practicable, but not later than June 1, 2014.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.