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ME LD431

ME LD431
An Act Regarding Driver's Licenses for Individuals in Foster Care


summary

Introduced
02/04/2025
In Committee
02/04/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
04/29/2025

Introduced Session

132nd Legislature

Bill Summary

This bill does the following. 1. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services to establish a program to pay for or reimburse the fees and costs incurred by a person who is in the department's custody pursuant to the Child and Family Services and Child Protection Act, who is engaged in the department's extended care program or who is engaged in the department's transition grant program that are related to obtaining a driver's license and motor vehicle insurance and additional costs related to obtaining a driver's license. The department may adopt rules to implement the provisions. 2. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a program to ensure that a minor who is 15 years of age or older and is in the department's custody is provided with the opportunity to obtain: assistance in obtaining a driver's license or learner's permit or enrolling in a driver education course; skills training for safe driving; required hours of driving under a learner's permit; and information on how to obtain motor vehicle insurance. The department may adopt rules related to the program. 3. It provides that a licensed motor vehicle dealer is required to allow a person who is a minor 15 years and 6 months of age or older who is or has been placed in the care of someone other than the person's parents by the Department of Health and Human Services, or who is a minor living independently, and who has a valid driver's license to contract for the purchase of a motor vehicle. 4. It directs the Secretary of State to waive all fees assessed by the Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles related to obtaining a license for a person who has not attained 27 years of age and who is or has been placed in the care of someone other than the person's parents by the department or who is a minor living independently. 5. It allows a minor who does not have a parent, guardian or spouse who has attained 18 years of age to have the minor's driver's license application signed by a person who is 19 years of age or older and is the minor's employer, the minor's grandparent, the minor's sibling, the minor's parent's sibling or that sibling's spouse or the minor's foster parent or by an employee designated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services and limits the liability of the person who signed the application. 6. It clarifies cross-references in the section of law related to learner's permits to reflect the changes to the section of law related to driver's licenses. 7. It requires rating bureaus or independent insurers as recognized by the Superintendent of Insurance to allow certain minors who are driver education school graduates to contract for an automobile insurance policy.

AI Summary

This bill addresses driver's licensing and vehicle-related support for foster youth and youth living independently. It establishes a comprehensive program through the Department of Health and Human Services to help youth in foster care obtain driver's licenses by covering associated fees and providing driver education support. The bill requires the state to waive all driver's license fees for individuals under 27 who are or have been in foster care or are living independently, and allows these youth to have their driver's license applications signed by designated adults like employers, grandparents, siblings, or foster parents. Additionally, the bill enables licensed motor vehicle dealers to allow minors who are 15.5 years or older and have a valid driver's license to contract for vehicle purchases. The legislation also provides provisions for obtaining motor vehicle insurance, including potential discounts for driver education school graduates, and includes safeguards to protect individuals who sign license applications for these youth from liability for the youth's driving actions. The overall goal is to support foster youth and youth living independently by removing financial and administrative barriers to obtaining a driver's license and gaining driving-related skills and independence.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) (on 04/29/2025)

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