Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3881, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, §16, is amended to read:

6. Prevention programs. "Prevention programs" means programs, plans or training associated with the primary prevention of child abuse and neglect and the promotion of high- quality child care.

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §3884, sub-§1, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, §16, is amended to read:

A. Review and evaluate existing prevention programs, including high-quality child care options;

Sec. 3. 22 MRSA §3884, sub-§3, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, §16, is amended to read:

B. Build the leadership capacity of public and private sector individuals and institutions regarding prevention programs and, prevention policies and the importance of high-quality child care in all children's early years; and

Sec. 4. 22 MRSA §3884, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, §16, is amended to read:

5. Criteria for awarding grants. Publicize criteria and review applications for grants and award those grants to recipients that best address the purposes of this chapter and submit to the Legislature the list of both successful and unsuccessful applicants along with reasons for and against the applicants;

SUMMARY

This bill includes quality child care as an integral part of the overall statewide goals and objectives for child abuse prevention activities of the Maine Children's Trust Incorporated. This bill expands the definition of prevention programs to include the promotion of high-quality child care and it requires that the names of both the successful and unsuccessful applicants for the trust's grants be submitted to the Legislature.