Bill > LD1893

This bill establishes an independent Office of the Child Advocate as a new state agency to provide oversight of executive agencies providing services to children, particularly in child welfare and juvenile justice systems. The bill defines a comprehensive set of responsibilities for the Child Advocate, including investigating complaints, reviewing critical incidents, accessing agency records, and providing advocacy services. The Child Advocate will be appointed by the Governor for a 5-year term, with specific qualifications requiring a professional graduate degree and expertise in child-related fields. A 15-member Advisory Committee will help guide the office, recommend candidates for the Child Advocate position, and provide oversight. The office will have broad powers to investigate and review child services, including access to confidential records, the ability to issue subpoenas, and authority to make public reports about systemic issues affecting children's services. The bill repeals the existing ombudsman program and transfers its funding and some of its functions to the new Office of the Child Advocate. The office will be required to produce annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, conduct outreach and advocacy, and work to improve the state's child services system by identifying and addressing potential systemic problems.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1893&snum=132