All Roll Calls
Yes: 183 • No: 0
MaineLD 1893132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET
An Act to Establish an Independent Office of the Child Advocate
Sponsored By: Lori Gramlich (Democratic)
Became Law
CHILDREN AND FAMILIESCHILDREN AND FAMILIES - SOCIAL SERVICES
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Stronger privacy and parent access to records
Starting October 1, 2026, records held by the Child Advocate stay confidential for 100 years. The office may release only the minimum needed to protect a child, and not while related cases are pending unless DHHS, DOC, and the Attorney General agree. Parents and guardians can get training and background‑check records for people who work with their child. Organizations must keep those records until five years after the child turns 18, and share them with the Child Advocate and investigators.
Independent Child Advocate to help families
Starting October 1, 2026, the state creates an independent Office of the Child Advocate. The office takes complaints about state services for kids under 18 and can investigate cases and system problems. It gives free information and referrals, runs a toll‑free number, and has a public website. Child interviews must be trauma‑informed. For kids in corrections, interviews need agreement from the prosecutor, the child’s defense attorney, and the Attorney General.
Stronger access and reviews to protect kids
Starting October 1, 2026, the Child Advocate can get DHHS and juvenile corrections records without fees and enter sites to investigate (DOC entry only if safe). DHHS must tell the Child Advocate within 48 hours when a child connected to child welfare dies or the death may be abuse or neglect. The Child Advocate joins the child death and serious injury review panel, which must report at least every three months. The office must also write rules for handling complaints, case reviews, and working with child advocacy centers and criminal justice agencies.
State jobs and pay for office staff
Starting October 1, 2026, the Child Advocate must hire an Associate with the same qualifications, and may hire more staff if money is available. Three ombudsman staff move to the new office and keep their current budgeted pay until the Legislature confirms the Child Advocate. All office staff are state employees with full rights. Named positions, including the ombudsman role, are placed in salary range 86 for pay setting.
Funding shifts to launch the office
Starting October 1, 2026, a special fund pays for the Office of the Child Advocate and carries forward unspent money. All child welfare ombudsman program funds move to the new office on that date, and old contract lines are reduced by $241,539 General Fund and $37,150 Federal. The law funds new positions and startup costs in 2026‑27, totaling $499,378 General Fund, including $100,000 one‑time, with some roles starting October 1, 2026 and others April 1, 2027. Legislators on the Advisory Committee can receive $1,050 in 2026‑27 for participation costs. The old ombudsman law is repealed on October 1, 2026 as part of the transition to the new office.
How the Child Advocate is chosen and reviewed
Starting October 1, 2026, an Advisory Committee with lawmakers, experts, and people with lived experience recommends at least three ranked candidates. The Governor has 8 weeks to pick or the top candidate is appointed; the Advocate serves five years and can be removed for cause with a two‑thirds Senate vote. The Governor names an interim Child Advocate by October 1, 2026 and a permanent Advocate by July 15, 2027. The interim must send a resource‑needs report by February 15, 2027. Appointing authorities must fill the Advisory Committee by March 15, 2027, with some initial members serving one‑year terms and others two years. Public annual reports begin January 15, 2028.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Lori Gramlich
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Adam Lee
Democratic • House
Amy Arata
Republican • House
Cameron D. Reny
Democratic • Senate
Daniel Sayre
Democratic • House
Holly Stover
Democratic • House
Kristi Mathieson
Democratic • House
Michael Brennan
Democratic • House
Nina Milliken
Democratic • House
Richard A. Bennett
Independent • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/8/2026
ACCEPT REPORT
Yes: 35 • No: 0
House vote • 4/8/2026
acc otp-am report
Yes: 148 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
ACTPUB Chapter 724
5/4/2026On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table Subsequently, PASSED TO BE ENACTED in concurrence.
4/14/2026SenateOn motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
4/9/2026SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/9/2026HouseReport READ and ACCEPTED in concurrence. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 909 Yeas 35 - Nays 0 - Excused 0 - Absent 0 READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-993) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-993), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.
4/8/2026SenateCONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYOn OBJECTION of Representative MEYER of Eliot REMOVED.The Committee Report was READ and ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 758(Yeas 148 - Nays 0 - Absent 2 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-993) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-993) Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/8/2026HouseCarried over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
6/25/2025HouseReceived by the Clerk of the House on May 1, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
5/1/2025House
Bill Text
Enacted
Engrossed
Introduced
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