AUGUSTA, Maine - A day after blasting a legislative panel, Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew has agreed to appear before the Government Oversight Committee on Jan. 22.
Mayhew blasted the committee for giving her only five days' notice to appear at Thursday's meeting, and then threatening to issue a subpoena after she was a no-show. She accused the committee of grandstanding and encouraged the panel to contact her to reschedule.
The committee wanted to question Mayhew about ongoing deficiencies at Riverview Psychiatric Center.
Riverview lost its federal certification after an inspection uncovered problems, including overcrowding and the use of correctional officers to oversee patients.
Mayhew says progress is being made. The administration also has requested construction of a second facility for criminal patients so they can be separated from the regular population at Riverview.