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March 19, 2010

Judge ends Maine's
Pineland consent decree

The Associated Press

AUGUSTA — A federal judge has formally ended a court order that has governed services for 1,500 people with mental disabilities in Maine over a period of more than 30 years.

U.S. District Justice George Singal today terminated the Pineland consent decree, which dates to 1978. The decree led to the closing of the state-run Pineland Center, along with de-institutionalization and improved services for adults with developmental disabilities.

Attorney General Janet Mills says lawyers for the remaining 750 plaintiffs who'd lived in Pineland wanted to continue the decree. But Mills contended the state has met its obligations.

In his order, Singal found that the state was in substantial compliance with the decree and had mechanisms in place to ensure it's followed in the future.
 

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