PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1.  34-B MRSA §3613  is enacted to read:
§ 3613. Compensation for peer centers
 
1.  Peer center.     For the purposes of this section, "peer center" means an entity or organization that has a contract with the department to provide peer support services for individuals experiencing mental health conditions and other conditions that may co-occur with a mental health condition. Services include, but are not limited to, community integration, social support, leisure and avocational activities and recovery coaching.
 
2.  Compensation; rules.     A peer center must be reimbursed at a rate established by the department pursuant to this subsection. The department may not establish a so-called flat rate. This subsection applies to all funds, including federal funds, paid by any agency of the State to a peer center. The department shall establish rules concerning reimbursement that:
 
A.  Take into account the costs of providing services in conformity with applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations and quality and safety standards; and
 
B.  Are reasonable and adequate to meet the costs incurred by an efficiently and economically run peer center.
 
Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY BDS)
 
Mental Health Services - Community 0121
 
Initiative: Provides funding to increase peer center reimbursement.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$0	$75,000	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$0	$75,000	
 
’
 
SUMMARY
This amendment replaces the bill. Like the bill, the amendment requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish reimbursement rates for peer centers, but the amendment removes the requirement for an annual inflation adjustment. It clarifies the definition for "peer center." It also adds additional funding of $75,000 in fiscal year 2016-17.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)