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LD 1866

An Act To Amend The Laws Regarding The State-Designated Agency Advocating For Individuals With Serious Mental Illness

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rick Bennett and 9 co-sponsors

Maine updates the State‑designated advocacy agency for individuals with serious mental illness, refining how advocacy is defined, organized, and carried out.

Signed by Governor
#advocacyagencies #mentalhealthservices #planning
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Bill Summary · LD 1866

Summary — LD 1866 (132nd Maine Legislature)

Title: An Act To Amend The Laws Regarding The State‑Designated Agency Advocating For Individuals With Serious Mental Illness
Sponsor: Sen. Carney (Cumberland)
Committee: Health and Human Services
Introduced: May 6, 2025
Status: Signed by Governor (June 17, 2025)

Purpose

LD 1866 updates Maine law governing the State‑designated agency that serves as the statutory advocate for individuals with serious mental illness. The bill makes statutory amendments to how that advocacy role is defined, organized or carried out (the enrolled bill text contains the specific statutory language and changes).

Key points and provisions

  • The bill amends existing statutes related to the State‑designated advocacy agency for people with serious mental illness.
  • A Committee Amendment (C “A”, S‑318) was adopted during the legislative process and the bill was enacted as amended.
  • The bill as amended and engrossed was passed by both chambers and signed by the Governor on June 17, 2025.

Note: The documents available with this summary are legislative and fiscal records. They do not list the enacted statutory text here; the enrolled bill contains the precise statutory revisions (see "Where to find the full text" below).

Who is affected

  • The State‑designated agency responsible for advocacy on behalf of individuals with serious mental illness.
  • Individuals with serious mental illness who rely on the agency for statutory advocacy, protections, information, or representation.
  • State agencies, providers, and potentially courts or administrative bodies that interact with the designated advocacy agency.

Fiscal impact

  • Multiple fiscal notes (preliminary, as amended, and as engrossed) all state: No fiscal impact.
    (Fiscal notes approved: 05/19/25, 05/23/25, 06/10/25.)

Legislative timeline / procedural history (selected)

  • 05/06/2025: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.
  • 05/21/2025: Committee work session; voted OTP‑AM (ought to pass as amended).
  • 06/09/2025: Committee Amendment "A" (S‑318) adopted; bill passed to be engrossed as amended.
  • 06/10/2025: Passed (both chambers) and ordered for concurrence.
  • 06/17/2025: Signed by the Governor (enacted).

Where to find the full text and next steps

To review the specific statutory changes, consult the enrolled bill text (LD 1866, LR 1008(03), C “A” (S‑318)) posted on the Maine Legislature website or contact the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis or the Health and Human Services Committee staff. For implementation questions, contact the State‑designated advocacy agency referenced in the statute or the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

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

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