CHAPTER 410

S.P. 72 - L.D. 219

An Act To Improve the Child Welfare Ombudsman Function

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §4087-A, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2003, c. 20, Pt. EEE, §1, is further amended to read:

4. Services. The program shall provide services directly or under contract. The first priority in the work of the program and any contract for ombudsman services must be case-specific advocacy services. In performing services under this section, the program, as it determines to be appropriate, may create and maintain records and case-specific reports. Any work on systems improvements or lobbying must be adjunctive to case-specific activities. The program may:

A. Provide information to the public about the services of the program through a comprehensive outreach program. The ombudsman shall provide information through a toll-free telephone number or numbers;

B. Answer inquiries, investigate and work toward resolution of complaints regarding the performance and services of the department and participate in conferences, meetings and studies that may improve the performance of the department;

C. Provide services to persons to assist them in protecting their rights;

D. Inform persons of the means of obtaining services from the department;