Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §4002, sub-§3-A, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 511, Pt. A, §2, is repealed.

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §4008, sub-§3, ¶D, as amended by PL 1987, c. 511, Pt. A, §3, is further amended to read:

D. An appropriate state executive or legislative official with responsibility for child protection services or the Child Welfare Services Ombudsman in carrying out his official functions, provided that no personally identifying information may be made available unless necessary to his that official's functions;

Sec. 3. 22 MRSA c. 1071, sub-c. X-A is amended by repealing the subchapter headnote and enacting the following in its place:

SUBCHAPTER X-A

OMBUDSMAN SERVICES

Sec. 4. 22 MRSA §4087, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 400, §§7 and 14, is repealed.

Sec. 5. 22 MRSA §4087-A is enacted to read:

§4087-A.__Ombudsman Office

1.__Definitions.__As used in this section,__unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A. "Office" means the Ombudsman Office established under this section.

B.__"Ombudsman" means the director of the office and persons employed or volunteering to perform the work of the office.

2.__Office established.__The Ombudsman Office is established as an independent office within the Executive Department to provide ombudsman services to the people of the State regarding all matters in which a person is receiving or requesting services from the department.__The office shall consider and promote the best interests of the people involved, answer inquiries and investigate, advise and work toward resolution of complaints against the department that may be infringing on the rights of individuals.