Lawmaker wants new state department to protect Maine kids
Windham Sen. Bill Diamond's legislation comes after several child deaths in Maine that exposed weaknesses in the state's system for protecting children from abuse and neglect.
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The abuse that has led to the deaths of several Maine children is driving legislation at the State House to create a new cabinet-level department in state government with the sole task of protecting kids from suffering and neglect.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, would remove the Office of Children and Family Services from the Department of Health and Human Services, and establish a new state department, with a commissioner to be nominated by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate.