Bill > LD127

This bill strengthens the Government Oversight Committee's ability to access confidential and privileged information and records, specifically in the context of investigating the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Child and Family Services. The legislation amends existing law to explicitly allow the committee to receive information and records that would typically be considered confidential, including those related to children who have died in the state. While such information would normally be protected, this bill creates an exception that permits the committee to obtain these sensitive records for its investigative purposes. The bill is structured as an emergency measure, which means it will take effect immediately upon approval, rather than waiting the typical 90 days after legislative adjournment. Importantly, the bill also stipulates that any privileged or confidential information received by the committee will remain confidential, ensuring that sensitive details are not broadly disclosed while still enabling the committee to conduct its critical oversight work.

Justice

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=127&snum=132