‘Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  Maine is in the midst of an epidemic of opioid use disorder in which over 2,100 Maine individuals have died as a result of opioid overdoses since 2009; and

Whereas,  individuals in Maine suffering from opioid and other substance use disorder lack access to treatment and support; and

Whereas,  individuals can successfully recover from opioid and other substance use disorder with appropriate treatment and support; and

Whereas,  this legislation seeks to address this urgent issue by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to oversee and provide funding to support a statewide comprehensive system of services that provides access to integrated medication-assisted treatment; 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,

PART A

Sec. A-1. 5 MRSA §20003, sub-§13-A  is enacted to read:

Sec. A-2. 5 MRSA §20003, sub-§15-A  is enacted to read:

Sec. A-3. 5 MRSA §20003, sub-§16-A  is enacted to read:

Sec. A-4. 5 MRSA §20003, sub-§19-A  is enacted to read:

Sec. A-5. 5 MRSA §20003, sub-§19-B  is enacted to read:

Sec. A-6. 5 MRSA §20054  is enacted to read:

§ 20054.  Hub-and-spoke model

No later than October 1, 2018, the department shall ensure that a continuum of evidence-based treatment and recovery support services for opioid use disorder is accessible to all people in this State through contracts with hubs and spokes. Hub providers may refer patients to spokes when clinically appropriate, and spokes may refer patients to hubs when clinically appropriate. The department shall provide funds to hubs and spokes to support the development of treatment capacity. The department shall also provide funds to hubs and spokes for treatment, including medication, for individuals who lack insurance or the ability to pay for treatment. The department shall provide funds to support recovery support services for individuals receiving treatment from hubs and spokes. The department shall ensure that individuals have access to the appropriate levels of care that meet the individuals' need, as determined by an assessment by a treating clinician. A hub is eligible to receive funding under this section only if the hub has the capacity to assess and treat or refer patients with multiple behavioral health diagnoses. A hub shall provide or contract for comprehensive services including intensive outpatient programs and integrated medication assisted treatment for individuals with acute needs. A hub shall provide or coordinate with recovery support services.

PART B

Sec. B-1. Department of Health and Human Services to seek federal funding. The Department of Health and Human Services, referred to in this Part as "the department," shall assess federal funding opportunities to support integrated medication-assisted treatment and a hub-and-spoke model of delivery of services for opioid and substance use disorder as described in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 20054 and distribute resources to hubs and spokes based on identified needs.

Sec. B-2. Development of grant funding for education. The department shall provide grant funding, when available, to hubs or other qualified entities to provide assistance with the development of hub-and-spoke infrastructure, as well as initial training and ongoing education to hub-and-spoke providers across the State. Qualified entities may include providers that deliver health care services to meet the health needs of target populations.

Sec. B-3. Provide treatment to uninsured individuals seeking treatment. The department shall provide funds to support treatment for uninsured individuals seeking integrated medication-assisted treatment.

Sec. B-4. Evaluation and assessment. The department shall develop assessment measures for performance evaluation of the hub-and-spoke model. Assessment measures must include statistics regarding referrals of individuals seeking substance use disorder treatment; treatment for substance use disorder; success rates, including recovery engagement, adherence to medication-assisted treatment protocols, stability and workplace participation; wait time for services; and any other relevant measures.

Sec. B-5. 211 Maine information. The department shall support the development of a plan to create a statewide resource and referral center for substance use disorder treatment and recovery resources that uses the existing 211 Maine service and links it with comprehensive, statewide information on available treatment and recovery resources. The department shall work collaboratively with the United Ways of Maine and 211 Maine to develop this plan, as well as with substance use disorder treatment providers and individuals from the substance use disorder recovery community.

Sec. B-6. Report. No later than February 1, 2019, the department shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters on the progress and implementation of the hub-and-spoke model, federal funding, grants dispersed, evaluation and assessment measures and improvement of the 211 Maine service. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters is authorized to report out legislation to the First Regular Session of the 129th Legislature related to the report.

PART C

Sec. C-1. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF

Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Z199

Initiative: Provides funding beginning in fiscal year 2018-19 to hubs and spokes to cover costs of intensive, intermediate and long-term treatment, including, but not limited to, the cost of medication, screening, behavioral health treatment, urine drug screens, office visits and recovery support services for individuals with opioid use disorder, including those who are uninsured. The department may use a portion of the funds to support training and education of hubs and spokes.

GENERAL FUND	2017-18	2018-19
All Other	$0	$6,663,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$0	$6,663,000

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