Bill > LD52

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to proactively review and apply for federal benefits on behalf of children in their custody who may be eligible for benefits from the Social Security Administration or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill defines specific guidelines for how these benefits should be managed, including that the department cannot use the child's benefits to reimburse the state for care costs, but can use the funds for the child's unmet needs. When serving as a representative payee, the department must establish financial protocols, such as potentially creating a special-needs trust to preserve the benefits, providing an annual accounting of the funds, and offering financial literacy training to the child starting at age 14. The department is also required to provide comprehensive training to its staff and representative payees about fiduciary responsibilities, benefit preservation, and budgeting. The bill is structured as an emergency measure, emphasizing the potential life-changing impact of these federal benefits for children in state custody, and aims to ensure these benefits are identified and pursued as quickly as possible. The legislation includes provisions for the department to adopt routine technical rules to implement these requirements.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=52&snum=132