Bills Targeting Maine's Services For Children, Disabled Up For Hearings

AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine lawmakers are set to tackle bills to reform the state's services for children and individuals with disabilities.The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee is set to hold hearings Tuesday on several such bills.
 
The deaths of two girls drew scrutiny to Maine's child protective services system, while a 2017 federal audit found Maine didn't analyze all deaths of people with intellectual disabilities or autism.
 
A bill sponsored by Democratic Rep. Lori Gramlich would restore a state law that made rehabilitating and reunifying families a priority under state law. Democratic Sen. Bill Diamond proposes creating a commission that would recommend reforms for the child protective services system.
 
Republican Rep. Beth O'Connor's bill would create a 2-year pilot project to provide housing to adults with intellectual disabilities awaiting services.