Legislature supports Sen. Maxmin bill to bring recovery resources to more parts of Maine

AUGUSTA — On Thursday, the Maine Legislature passed a bill from Sen. Chloe Maxmin, D-Nobleboro, to expand recovery resources in underserved areas of Maine. LD 488, “Resolve, To Expand Recovery Community Organizations throughout Maine,” received unanimous, bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House.

“The opioid epidemic has ravaged communities across our state, and we need to make sure all of these communities have the resources they need to support individuals in recovery,” said Sen. Maxmin. “I’m so encouraged that my colleagues were able to come together to lend their bipartisan support to this measure, because addressing this crisis is going to require all of us working together.”

Recovery community centers are run by recovery community organizations, which are independent, nonprofit organizations led and governed by representatives of local communities of recovery. These centers support multiple pathways to recovery by providing members with support services including recovery coaches, peer support groups, and education and employment resources.

By the end of 2021, Maine will have 13 recovery community centers located in nine of the state’s 16 counties. Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo and York counties currently do not have a recovery community center within their borders. As amended, LD 488 directs the Department of Health and Human Services to consider regional distribution of recovery centers when awarding contract funding for new centers. It also directs the department to prioritize the seven counties that do not currently have a center.

LD 488 faces further votes in the Legislature.