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neglect investigations, the department shall act in | accordance with subchapter XI-A section 7704; |
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| | Sec. 3. 22 MRSA c. 1071, sub-c. 11-A, as amended, is repealed. |
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| | Sec. 4. 22 MRSA §7704 is enacted to read: |
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| §7704.__Investigation of out-of-home abuse and neglect |
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| | 1.__Definitions.__As used in this section, unless the | context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the | following meanings. |
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| A.__"Abuse or neglect by an individual" means that which | occurs when an agency employee, an individual licensee or | a person who resides in or frequents a facility or program | for children commits abuse or neglect of a child or | children attending the facility or program. |
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| B.__"Division" means the Division of Child Care Licensing. |
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| C.__"Institutional abuse" means that which occurs whenever | a child suffers harm or threat of harm while in the care | of an agency or individual licensee who, by the agency's | or licensee's actions, participates in or knowingly allows | practices that cause harm to children. |
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| D.__"Institutional neglect" means that which occurs | whenever a child or children suffers harm or threat of | harm while in the care of an agency or individual licensee | who, by the agency's or licensee's inaction, fails to act | responsibly to prevent harm or threat of harm to a child | or children. |
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| F.__"Investigations unit" means the out-of-home abuse and | neglect investigations unit staff within the division. |
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| G.__"License" has the same definition as in Title 5, | section 8002 and includes approval and certification. |
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| H.__"Out-of-home abuse and neglect" means abuse and | neglect of a child that occurs in a facility or by a | person subject to licensure or inspection by the | department, the Department of Education, the Department of | Corrections or the Department of Behavioral and | Developmental Services or in a facility operated by those | departments. |
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| | 2.__Applicability of other definitions.__Any term defined or | used in section 4002; chapter 1071, subchapter 2; section | 4021; or chapter 1153, 1661, 1663, 1669, 1671, 1673 or 1675 | has the |
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