130th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 1968 LR 2352(02)
An Act To Expand Access to Mental Health and Crisis Care for Individuals in Jails and Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
Committee: Health and Human Services
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
FY 2021-22 FY 2022-23 Projections  FY 2023-24 Projections  FY 2024-25
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $0 $1,698,000 $1,494,887 $1,527,974
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $0 $1,698,000 $1,494,887 $1,527,974
Fiscal Detail and Notes
The bill includes General Fund appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services of $1,698,000 in fiscal year 2022-23 to establish 10 Intensive Case Manager positions and one Social Services Program Manager position for case management, coordination of housing, substance use services and mental health services, a needs study to identify the current and predicted residential needs of individuals with behavioral health diagnoses and to establish one Social Services Program Manager position for coordination, oversight of a report, reporting to the legislature, developing policy changes and managing the system's changes following a needs study.
This legislation requires the Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA) to implement the so-called Frequent Users Systems Engagement (FUSE) program by providing financing for no less than 50 and up to 200 units of permanent supportive housing to individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and suffering from serious and persistent mental illness and are frequent users of high-cost services, including law enforcement, jails and hospitals. MSHA has indicated that it has the financing resources available to implement the requirements of this legislation and General Fund appropriations are not required.