ME LD1866

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to contract with Maine's designated protection and advocacy agency to provide rights protection services for individuals with serious mental illness in both institutional and community settings

Mandates the department make good faith efforts to obtain sufficient appropriations to fund these advocacy services statewide, with presence in at least 5 geographically dispersed areas

Grants the contracted advocacy agency access to medical records of individuals with serious mental illness hospitalized in state mental health institutes when necessary for advocacy services

Prohibits advocates from providing medical advice while delivering services under this law

Follows the December 3, 2024 dismissal of the Augusta Mental Health Institute Consent Decree (Civil Action Docket No. 89-88) to ensure continued independent advocacy protections