Maine 2025-2026 Regular Session

Maine House Bill LD1362

Introduced
3/28/25  
Refer
3/28/25  

Caption

An Act to Establish Parity in Funding Between Recovery Community Centers and Peer-run Recovery Centers

Summary

LD 1362 would require the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain funding parity between two types of substance use recovery organizations: peer-run recovery centers and recovery community centers. The bill defines each category and directs the department to ensure that the difference in total state funding between them does not exceed a 10% margin of parity in any fiscal year, measured against the category receiving less funding. The bill also requires DHHS to submit an annual report to the Legislature’s health and human services committee by February 15. That report must list the total state funds provided to each category in the prior fiscal year, calculate the parity margin, and explain any funding variance above the 10% threshold along with a plan to come into compliance in the following fiscal year. The bill characterizes the implementing rules as routine technical rules.

Impact

This bill would add a new statutory funding requirement for DHHS and create an ongoing reporting obligation to legislative oversight committees. In practice, it would constrain how the department allocates state recovery-center funding by requiring near-equal support between peer-run recovery centers and recovery community centers, while still allowing up to a 10% difference. It would also create a formal accountability mechanism through annual reporting and explanations for any shortfall in parity.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or vote record was provided, so there is no direct record of debate or floor sentiment. Based on the bill’s sponsorship and framing, the measure appears to be a targeted support bill for recovery services, likely intended to strengthen and equalize funding for community-based substance use recovery infrastructure. The absence of recorded opposition or amendments in the provided materials means overall sentiment cannot be assessed from the available history.

Contention

The main policy issue is the funding formula itself: whether the state should be required to keep peer-run recovery centers and recovery community centers within a 10% funding margin. Potential points of contention include whether these two models serve sufficiently different purposes to justify separate funding streams, whether a parity mandate could reduce DHHS flexibility, and whether the reporting and compliance requirements are administratively burdensome. The bill’s supporters are the listed sponsor and cosponsors, while no opposing viewpoint is documented in the provided record.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

ME A2431

Requires Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to facilitate establishment of four new recovery community centers.

ME SB1047

Establishing Community Well-Being, Recovery Housing, and Family Stabilization Act

ME S2617

Establishes Council for Community Recovery and Family Success.

ME AB1556

An act to add Division 10.95 (commencing with Section 11999.45) to the Health and Safety Code, relating to public health.

ME A10223

Establishes the "recovery ready workplace act" which provides for the certification of an employer to become a recovery ready workplace.

ME S09145

Establishes the "recovery ready workplace act" which provides for the certification of an employer to become a recovery ready workplace.

ME S03740

Establishes the "recovery ready workplace act" which provides for the certification of an employer to become a recovery ready workplace; defines terms; establishes the recovery-ready workplace program; provides criteria for employers to obtain certification as a recovery ready workplace; provides for employee involvement.

ME S1383

Establishing peer-run respite centers throughout the Commonwealth

ME A3236

Establishes oversight and qualifications of peer recovery specialists.

ME S4037

Establishes oversight and qualifications of peer recovery specialists.

Similar Bills

HI HB881

Relating To Public Utilities.

HI HB881

Relating To Public Utilities.

CA AB745

An act to add Article 6.

NJ A3806

Requires DCA to approve credentialing entity to develop and administer voluntary recovery residence certification program.

NJ S3479

Requires DCA to approve credentialing entity to develop and administer voluntary recovery residence certification program.

VA SB270

Recovery residences; regulations.

MI HB5302

Health: substance use disorder prevention; competitive grant program to provide grants for recovery community organizations; modify. Amends sec. 273b of 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.1273b).

VA HB931

Recovery residences; regulations.