DHHS

The order, signed Tuesday, is titled 'Protecting Children From Chemical And Surgical Mutilation.'

The bill is sponsored by six members of the Government Oversight Committee, which oversees investigations by the legislature's watchdog agency. While the agency used confidential records in its investigations of four child deaths that occurred in 2021, court rulings have found that members of the oversight committee don't have access to the same documents.

The Child Welfare Services ombudsman's annual report cites a lack of legal and mental health services as exacerbating factors.

The funding will be administered over the next decade.

The records were provided to the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability to probe the deaths of four children in state care in 2021, but not legislative panel that oversees the agency. The court says that was by design.

The proposal calls for changes to staffing, training and compliance requirements for Maine assisted living and residential care facilities. Proposed staffing ratios vary depending on a facility's size but generally call for more personnel to be present throughout the day.

The lawsuit alleges that Maine segregates children with behavioral disabilities in hospitals, residential facilities and the Long Creek Youth Development Center.

The Be There for Me campaign is part of a child safety and well-being plan created by the network and the Department.

Maine's Department of Health and Human Services will implement new record-keeping and medication oversight after settling a lawsuit over how foster children are prescribed medication.

Maine Department of Health and Human Services chief Jeanne Lambrew says new director will address "persistent problems."