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An Act To Provide for the Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Educational and Behavioral Assessment of Children Entering State Custody
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §4063-A, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 194, is amended to read:
§ 4063-A.Medical and psychological examination; comprehensive assessment reimbursable
 
1. Physical examination required.   The department shall ensure that a child ordered into its custody receives an appointment for a medical examination by a licensed physician, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner within 103 working days after the department's custody of the child commences.
 
2.  Psychological assessment.     If the physician or nurse practitioner who performs a physical examination pursuant to subsection 1 determines that a psychological assessment of the child is appropriate, the department shall ensure that an appointment is obtained for such an assessment within 30 days of the physical examination.
 
3.  Comprehensive medical, dental, educational and mental health assessment.     Within 60 days after the department’s custody of a child commences, the department shall ensure that the child receives an appointment for a comprehensive medical, dental, educational and mental health assessment by a licensed pediatrician and a licensed child psychologist and provide reimbursement, including reimbursement for obtaining and reviewing relevant records, under MaineCare for the assessment. The department shall adopt routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A to implement this subsection.
 
SUMMARY
This bill shortens the time requirement for the physical examination of a child ordered into the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services from 10 days after the department's custody of the child commences to 3 days and allows a physician's assistant to conduct the examination. It also requires, within 60 days after the department's custody of a child commences, that the child receives an appointment for a comprehensive medical, dental, educational and mental health assessment by a licensed pediatrician and a licensed child psychologist and that reimbursement, including reimbursement for obtaining and reviewing relevant records, is provided under MaineCare for the assessment. The department is directed to adopt routine technical rules pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.