Senate unanimously approves Millett child mental health bill

AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate unanimously approved a bill from Sen. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, to support children with behavioral and mental health needs, and their families in an initial vote on Thursday. The bill would increase access to family therapy sessions for families who need assistance learning how to best care for children with behavioral and mental health needs.

LD 384, “An Act To Strengthen Maine Children’s Mental Health,” as amended, directs the Department of Health and Human Services to write rules allowing for the reimbursement to MaineCare of family or multi-family therapy sessions without the child present.

“Parents are central to the lives of children. The more we can do to bolster the skills parents need to manage children’s behavioral and mental health needs calmly and improve the quality of family life, the more likely their children will be ready to positively interact at school,” said Sen. Millett. “It is essential that parents can do the hard work of facing the issues at hand in a productive environment without the child present or the judgment of other adults — this bill will help give them those essential tools.”

Young children with disruptive behaviors or attention deficit disorder are at a greater risk for school failure and to develop conduct disorder. However, studies show that at least a third of these children can be helped by specific parent management training programs. In many instances, such programs can avoid the need for medication. These trainings happen without the child present and under current MaineCare reimbursement rules, providers cannot bill for reimbursement because the child isn’t present for the session.

LD 384 received unanimous support from the Legislature’s Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs. It will now go to the House for a vote.

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