An Act to Clarify Available Relief for the Protection of At-risk Children
Sponsored By: Donna Bailey (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Faster, safer court process for at-risk kids
Courts must hear and decide these requests as soon as possible and before the child turns 21. Hearings and records are confidential, with access limited to the parties, the child, parents, and their lawyers or designees. If a parent is unknown or lives outside the U.S., the court can use other notice methods or waive notice when federal immigrant juvenile rules apply. Judges must put the child’s health and safety first. The court can refer the child to medical, mental health, school, job, and anti‑trafficking or domestic‑violence help, and taking part is voluntary. A finding that reunification is not viable does not by itself end parental rights, and visitation does not block that finding.
Simple path to special findings for at-risk kids
An at-risk noncitizen child can petition the court for special findings and relief. The court must decide if the child is dependent or abused, if reunification with a parent is viable, and if return to a home country is in the child’s best interest. The child can also ask for these findings in a parental rights case or other juvenile or family case. Courts can still order other protections or support under state law.
Courts can protect noncitizen youth under 21
The law treats an unmarried person under 21 as a “child” for these protections. It defines “at-risk” as harm from abuse, neglect, abandonment, or similar, and when return to a home country is not in the child’s best interest. State courts, including District and Probate, can hear these protection and custody cases. Juvenile courts can hear motions for noncitizen children under 18. Any decision under this part counts as a juvenile court decision.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Donna Bailey
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Adam LEE
Affiliation unavailable
Amy Arata
Republican • House
Amy Kuhn
Democratic • House
Anne M. Carney
Democratic • Senate
David Sinclair
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 347
6/17/2025PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
6/11/2025SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/10/2025HouseReports READ.On motion of Representative KUHN of Falmouth, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-310) 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" (S-310). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/10/2025HouseReports READ Senator CARNEY of Cumberland moved to ACCEPT the Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report. On motion by Senator STEWART of Aroostook Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending Motion by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland to ACCEPT The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-310) Report. Taken from the table by the President Subsequently, The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-310) Report ACCEPTED. READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (S-310) READ and ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-310) Sent down for concurrence
6/9/2025SenateThe Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/30/2025HouseCommittee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES suggested and ordered printed On motion by Senator INGWERSEN of York REFERENCE to the Committee on JUDICIARY Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence
4/30/2025Senate
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (S-310), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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