Senate enacts Sen. Baldacci bill to expand health care services in Bangor

AUGUSTA — On Tuesday, June 14, the Senate enacted a bill sponsored by Sen. Joe Baldacci, D-Bangor. LD 859, “An Act to Assess, Develop, Implement and Fund the Reuse of Existing Facilities at Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center to Provide Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder and Homelessness Services,” would plan to redevelop the Dorothea Dix campus in Bangor to further expand patient services.

“This legislation will help ensure that the Dorothea Dix campus is used to its full potential and that the campus can continue to serve the people of Maine,” said Sen. Baldacci. “I am thrilled that this will continue to expand access to health care. All Maine people deserve quality care, and this bill will surely help deliver that. I am thankful my colleagues saw the importance of what this facility does, and what it has the potential to be.”

LD 859 would plan for the reuse and redevelopment of the 99-acre Dorothea Dix Hospital campus for health care, inpatient, outpatient and supportive housing services, as well as other community needs in the Bangor area. Additionally, approximately 30 acres of the campus are undeveloped, and are an ideal site for housing. Areas with existing water and sewer connections present an optimal location for constructing additional housing for those who truly need it. This bill would start the process of utilizing and developing more of the campus to help assist those struggling with finding housing.

LD 859 will now go to the desk of Gov. Janet Mills, who has 10 days to sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without her signature.