A bill establishing a new Office of the Child Advocate has now been sent to Gov. Janet Mills’ (D) desk for a signature after receiving unanimous approval in both the House and the Senate.
Sponsored by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, LD 1893 replaces the Child Welfare Services Ombudsman program with the new Office of the Child Advocate.
As described in the bill, the mission of this office would be “to provide independent oversight of state agencies and promote the best interests of children and ensure that children receive timely, safe and effective services in accordance with state and federal law.”
For administrative purposes, the Office of the Child Advocate would be established within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS).
The Child Advocate would be appointed for a five-year term with the potential for renewal.
In order to hold this position, candidates must have a professional graduate degree in law, health care, public health, social work or a related field, and have knowledge of safety science and juvenile correctional practices or be willing to undergo training.
A similarly qualified Associate Child Advocate would also be hired.
Much like the current Ombudsman, the Child Advocate would be responsible for reviewing complaints and determining what, if any, action should be taken.
The Office would also be authorized to conduct “systems-wide or periodic review of policies, programs, rules, procedures or services offered to children and offer recommendations to address systemic concerns.”
Additionally, an eleven-member Advisory Committee would be created to oversee and evaluate the Child Advocate’s performance, as well as to work with the person who holds the position to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and to promote an “effective, comprehensive and coordinated system of services and programs.”
The Child Advocate would be required to report annually to the governor, the Advisory Committee, and the appropriate legislative committee.
The new office would also be given routine technical rule-making authority with respect to “procedures related to the complaint system, case-specific reviews and coordination with other entities with overlapping jurisdiction and during co-occurring investigations.”
The first Child Advocate would need to be appointed by July 15, 2027. By October 1, 2026, the governor would need to appoint an interim Child Advocate, with preference given to the current Child Welfare Ombudsman.
A report detailing “resource needs, including staffing, equipment, travel and consultancies, to implement the new office” would need to be submitted to the Legislature’s Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee by February 15, 2027.
All funding and positions from the current Ombudsman’s office would be transferred to the Office of the Child Advocate on October 1, 2026.
As of April 1, 2027, funding will be made available for two additional staff members, including a child advocacy professional and an administrative professional. An additional
$100,000 will also be allocated for staffing, office expenses, training, and contractual services.
“It’s not starting from scratch with something untested and something new. It’s building off that existing infrastructure and expertise to look at more systems, including children’s behavioral health and juvenile justice,” Melissa Hackett from the Maine Children’s Alliance said, according to WGME.
“Offer that bigger picture understanding so that what we’re moving forward for solutions that will address the bigger system structural issues and not be siloed,” said Hackett.
“The child advocate will investigate complaints, share information with the public and advise policy makers on how we can center the best interests of Maine kids in every decision we make,” explained bill sponsor and Assistant House Majority Leader Lori Gramlich (D-Old Orchard Beach), as reported by WABI.
The Legislature’s unanimous approval of this measure came on the heels of an equally united show of support for the bill from the HHS Committee.
LD 1893 will now head to Gov. Mills’ desk for final approval.
Click Here for More Information on LD 1893
.
