Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §4014, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §89, is further amended to read:

1. Reporting and proceedings. A person, including an agent of the department, participating in good faith in reporting under this subchapter or participating in a related child protection investigation or proceeding, including, but not limited to, a multidisciplinary team, out-of-home abuse investigating team or other investigating or treatment team, is immune from any criminal or civil liability for the act of reporting or participating in the investigation or proceeding. "Good faith" does not include instances when a false report is made and the person knows the report is false and does not include actions that are in breach of state or federal laws, rules or regulations. Nothing in this section may be construed to bar criminal or civil action regarding perjury or regarding the abuse or neglect which that led to a report, investigation or proceeding.

SUMMARY

This bill clarifies that a person involved in a child protection investigation or proceeding is not immune from liability if that person breaches state or federal laws, rules or regulations.