Resolve, Directing the Commissioner of Health and Human Services To Convene a Study Group To Review the Crisis Response System in the State

Sec. 1. Commissioner of Health and Human Services to convene study group on crisis response system. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Health and Human Services shall convene a study group of interested parties to review the crisis response system in the State. The study group members must be selected to ensure geographic diversity and must include representatives of advocates for persons with mental illness and representatives of persons with lived experience of mental illness, providers of crisis services, hospitals, providers of residential and community-based behavioral health treatment and nursing care, jail administrators, the Maine Sheriffs' Association and police departments.

Sec. 2. Study group duties. Resolved: That in conducting the review of the crisis response system in the State, the study group convened under section 1 shall evaluate:

1. Average call times;

2. The average time spent on hold to connect to referral services;

3. Wait times for mobile units;

4. Any decline in the number of crisis teams and crisis stabilization unit beds available across the State and where those declines have occurred;

5. The average length of stay in crisis stabilization units; and

6. Other data considered pertinent by the study group.

Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That the study group convened under section 1 shall develop recommendations regarding ways to structure state funding of child and adult crisis services for behavioral health. The study group shall submit a report, including any recommended legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services no later than December 15, 2019. The joint standing committee may submit legislation related to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.

summary

This resolve requires the Commissioner of Health and Human Services to convene a study group of interested parties to review the crisis response system in the State. The study group is required to submit its report, including any recommended legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services no later than December 15, 2019. The joint standing committee may submit legislation related to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.