An Act To Create A Separate Department Of Child And Family Services

LD 555 proposes creating a new cabinet-level Department of Child and Family Services in Maine, separate from existing state departments. The bill establishes this department to directly manage child welfare, early childhood services, children's behavioral health, maternal health programs, and family support services. It specifies that the department will deliver these programs through state staff and contracted private agencies, focusing on family-centered care. This change affects all Maine children and families who access these state services, shifting their administration to a dedicated department.