ME LD1239

Psychiatric hospitals must provide written explanations to referring hospitals when declining emergency admission referrals, including specific reasons for denial and circumstances under which the referral would be reconsidered

Psychiatric hospitals must report inpatient bed capacity, occupancy, and locations to the Department of Health and Human Services at least once every 24 hours, with data displayed in real time on a publicly accessible website

Psychiatric hospitals must submit biennial reports by December 15th of even-numbered years detailing total inpatient beds, facility locations, and bed occupancy days

Department of Health and Human Services must compile psychiatric bed data into a public report by January 15th of odd-numbered years identifying statewide trends and utilization patterns

The department's existing biennial report on community support services must now include analysis of deficiencies contributing to admission denials and recommendations for resources needed to improve access