Maine Dems look to improve care of developmentally disabled

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Some Democratic lawmakers are working to bolster the oversight of care provided to developmentally disabled residents after a scathing federal audit said Maine was failing to protect them.

The audit last year revealed the state didn’t investigate unexplained deaths in group homes for the developmentally disabled. Maine also only investigated a small percentage of abuse complaints received, according to the report.

The state health department has said it has since improved its practices.

A bill by Democratic state Rep. Jennifer Parker would require Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services to notify an advisory board of reports that an adult receiving developmental services has died as a result of abuse or neglect.

Democratic Rep. Dale Denno is sponsoring legislation to re-establish a state advocacy office that aims to protect the interests of residents with intellectual disabilities and autism.

Hearings are not yet set for the bills. The state health department doesn’t yet have an opinion on the bills, spokeswoman Emily Spencer said