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LD 18

An Act To Allow The Department Of Corrections To Increase Health Care Fees And Use The Proceeds From Those Fees To Offset The Costs Of Client Medical Care Support Workers

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Marianne Moore

The bill lets the Maine DOC raise health care fees for incarcerated clients and use the proceeds to offset costs of client medical care support workers.

Died in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD)
#correctionalinstitutions #healthcarecosts #management
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Bill Summary · LD 18

LD 18 — Summary

Title: An Act To Allow The Department Of Corrections To Increase Health Care Fees and Use the Proceeds From Those Fees To Offset the Costs of Client Medical Care Support Workers
Bill No.: LD 18
Introduced: January 8, 2025
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Current status: CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature (per Joint Order SP 800). Passed to be enacted by the Legislature (with Committee Amendment S‑268 adopted); awaiting final action in the ongoing Legislature.

Purpose

Permits the Maine Department of Corrections (DOC) to increase health care fees charged to clients (individuals in DOC custody) and to use the additional fee proceeds specifically to offset the costs of client medical care support workers. The bill also directs DOC activity to study/implement the change via a short-term working group.

Key provisions

  • Authorizes the DOC to raise health care fees charged to clients and to retain the proceeds for a specified use rather than reverting them to other funds.
  • Specifically allows proceeds to be used to offset costs of “client medical care support workers” (staff who support delivery of medical services to clients).
  • Establishes (by appropriation in the fiscal note) a limited-period Management Analyst II position within DOC to convene and administer a working group and to report results; the position ends no later than March 31, 2026.
  • Committee Amendment S‑268 (adopted) was incorporated into the version passed by the Legislature.

Fiscal impact

  • One-time General Fund appropriation of $103,425 in FY 2025‑26 to fund the limited‑period Management Analyst II position and related costs to convene/administer the working group and produce a report.
  • No ongoing General Fund cost is projected in FY 2026‑27 and thereafter per the fiscal note.

Who is affected

  • Primary: clients (incarcerated individuals) in Maine DOC custody, who may face higher health care fees.
  • Department of Corrections: will have statutory authority to use fee revenue to support medical care support worker staffing.
  • General Fund: a one‑time appropriation is required to set up the working group; ongoing fiscal effects depend on fee adoption and revenues.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Committee work and a work session occurred March 12, 2025; Committee Amendment S‑268 was adopted in early June 2025.
  • The bill was passed to be enacted by both chambers (concurrence actions in June 2025) but is formally carried over to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
  • The limited‑period Management Analyst II position funded by the FY 2025‑26 appropriation must end no later than March 31, 2026, and the working group is expected to report within that period.

Considerations

The bill shifts some medical staffing costs toward fee revenue derived from clients, which could reduce DOC general operating costs but may increase out‑of‑pocket charges for incarcerated individuals. The working group funded by the appropriation is intended to study and operationalize the change and report back to the Legislature.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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