22 M.R.S. § 51

This is the official text of 22 M.R.S. § 51, part of Maine’s M.R.S — part of the compiled statutory law of Maine, published by the state as "M.R.S." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.

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22 §51. Exemption to written informed consent requirement for mental health services and substance use disorder treatment during public health emergency

Official statutory text

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. “Licensed facility” means a facility licensed under Title 5, section 20005, subsection 6, paragraph B or Title 34‑B, section 1203‑A . [PL 2021, c. 637, §1 (NEW).] B. “Public health emergency” means a federal public health emergency declared pursuant to 42 United States Code, Section 247d or a state public health emergency declared pursuant to section 802 or Title 37‑B, chapter 13, subchapter 2 . [PL 2021, c. 637, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 637, §1 (NEW).]

2. Informed consent. The department may not require a licensed facility to obtain written informed consent from a person receiving mental health services or substance use disorder treatment from the licensed facility during a public health emergency. A licensed facility shall obtain consent from a person receiving mental health services or substance use disorder treatment during a public health emergency; such consent may be obtained through verbal, electronic or written means. [PL 2021, c. 637, §1 (NEW).]

3. Rulemaking. The department shall adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. [PL 2021, c. 637, §1 (NEW).]

Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site

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