Informing the Legislature that on July 7, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2861 SD2 HD2 CD1 (ACT 200).

This bill directs the Office of Wellness and Resilience to create a plan for a pilot program called "Kakou" aimed at helping families and children in need. The plan must include specific services such as child wellness visits, food distribution, counseling for families leaving foster care, and trauma-informed care for those at risk of neglect. The Office is required to submit a preliminary report to the legislature by early 2027 and a final report by June 30, 2027, after which the planning phase ends. Starting in 2028, the Department of Human Services may use existing temporary assistance funds to run the pilot, which will also include hiring an external evaluator to assess its effectiveness. The legislation includes a provision stating that any part of the bill conflicting with federal requirements will not take effect, while the rest of the law remains in force.