131st MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 2237 LR 2985(02)
An Act to Strengthen Public Safety, Health and Well-being by Expanding Services and Coordinating Violence Prevention Resources
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
Committee: Health and Human Services
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 Projections  FY 2025-26 Projections  FY 2026-27
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $0 $38,033,066 $35,185,913 $35,234,424
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $0 $38,033,066 $35,185,913 $35,234,424
Other Special Revenue Funds $0 $100,000 $0 $0
Fiscal Detail and Notes
Part A of this bill includes ongoing General Fund appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) of $17,342,127 in fiscal year 2024-25 to strengthen mental health crisis intervention mobile response services with mobile outreach peer workers, certified intentional peer support specialists, recovery coaches, mental health police liaisons co-located in law enforcement agencies, community debriefing, critical incident response and for ancillary services. This funding is intended to provide services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The bill also includes a one-time allocation of $100,000 to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in fiscal 2024-25 for contracted consulting services to coordinate the 911 and 988 systems and to prepare reporting on the status of the coordination efforts. The PUC has indicated that it has sufficient reserves in its unobligated funds to fund the allocation.
Part B of the bill includes ongoing General Fund appropriations to the DHHS of $3,848,490 in fiscal year 2024-25 to establish 2 crisis receiving centers, one in Aroostook County and one in Penobscot County. Part B also includes a one-time General Fund appropriation of $1,900,000 in fiscal year 2024-25 for the additional start-up costs for the 2 new crisis receiving centers.
Part C of the bill includes ongoing General Fund appropriations to the DHHS of $7,215,453 in fiscal year 2024-25 to create a new Office of Violence Prevention within the DHHS. The part also includes a one-time General Fund appropriation of $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2024-25 for the required technology changes.
Part D of the bill includes ongoing General Fund appropriations to the DHHS of $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2024-25 to reduce waiting lists for and expand access to medication management services.
Part E of the bill includes a General Fund appropriation of $726,996 in fiscal year 2024-25 to the Department of Public Safety for one State Police Lieutenant position, one State Police Sergeant position, 2 State Police Detective positions, one Management Analyst I position and related costs to develop, create and distribute suicide prevention educational materials and develop and maintain procedures to notify the public of active shooter situations.
Any additional costs to state agencies and programs associated with collaborating with the Office of Violence Prevention are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budget resources.