Bill proposes separate, elevated state agency for children
April 14, 2021
FacebookTwitterEmail
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) A Maine lawmaker wants to make the state agency that serves children a separate, cabinet-level department.
Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, introduced a bill that would remove the Office of Children and Family Services from the Department of Health and Human Services and make it a separate agency with a commissioner nominated by the governor and approved by the state Senate, the Portland Press Herald reported on Tuesday.
Speaking on Tuesday before the senate Health and Human Services Committee, which is considering several bills this week related to child protection, Diamond said DHHS, is so large and complex and has so many serious challenges that it cannot properly oversee the many needs of the OCFS, at least to the level required to fully protect children in their care.”
Bill proposes separate, elevated state agency for children apnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from apnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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.
Share
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.