Title 22

When it has been determined that an incapacitated or dependent adult is in need of protective services, the department shall immediately provide or arrange for protective services, provided that the adult consents. [PL 1981, c. 527, §2 (NEW).] 1. Consent. If an incapacitated or d…

If the department reasonably determines that an incapacitated adult is being abused, neglected or exploited and lacks capacity to consent to protective services, the department may petition the Probate Court for guardianship or conservatorship, in accordance with Title 18-C, sect…

1. Action. When the court has exercised the power of a guardian or has appointed the department temporary guardian pursuant to Title 18‑C, sections 5‑124 and 5‑312, and the ward or a caretaker refuses to relinquish care and custody to the court or to the department, then at the r…

At the time the department makes an evaluation of the case reported, it must be determined, according to regulations set by the commissioner, whether the incapacitated or dependent adult is financially capable of paying for the essential services. To the extent that assets are av…

1. Immediate report. Subject to the confidentiality provisions of section 3474, subsection 2, paragraph A, when the department receives a report under subchapter 1‑A that a person is suspected of abusing, neglecting or exploiting an incapacitated or dependent adult, the departmen…

All other state and local agencies as well as private agencies receiving public funds shall cooperate with the department in rendering protective services on behalf of incapacitated and dependent adults.

The department shall adopt standards and other procedures and guidelines with forms to insure the effective implementation of this chapter.

The department may adopt rules in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A to carry out this chapter.

The department shall provide medical eye services, within the amounts appropriated by the Legislature, including corrective glasses, to individuals who have an annual income not exceeding 80% of the State's median income adjusted for family size and who have: [PL 1999, c. 790, Pt…

1. Prevention of developmental disabilities; Department of Health and Human Services. The Department of Health and Human Services shall serve as the principal agency for the primary prevention of developmental disabilities in the State and shall provide services for pregnant wome…

Private agencies shall be used as appropriate to carry out the implementation of initiatives to prevent developmental disabilities in cooperation with the respective departments so that State Government agencies do not duplicate existing resources in the community and so that all…

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Developmental disability" means a disability attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments tha…

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates or unless they are inconsistent with federal law, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1993, c. 158, §2 (NEW).] 1. Child care. "Child care" means a regular service of care and education provided for c…

The Maine Child Care Affordability Program is established in the department to provide child care subsidies under this chapter in accordance with the principles described under section 3732 to support the high-quality child care needs of children and working families while also p…

The department shall post on its publicly accessible website information about copayments, as determined by the department pursuant to section 3731‑A, subsection 3, that must be paid by families receiving subsidies under the Maine Child Care Affordability Program established in s…

The department shall allocate resources available under this chapter in a manner that promotes the following principles. [PL 1993, c. 158, §2 (NEW).] 1. Family self-sufficiency. A stable source of child care is a critical ingredient to economic self-sufficiency. Child care polici…

To the extent permitted by federal law, the department shall coordinate and administer all available federal and state child care funds, including, but not limited to, those available under the United States Social Security Act; the federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 19…

The department shall seek the advice of the council when applying or reapplying for federal funds under this chapter and when submitting state plans, amendments to state plans or waivers for federal approval. Whenever the department makes these submissions to the Federal Governme…

The department shall ensure that all persons referred for participation in the State's ASPIRE-TANF program receive information regarding child care options from caseworkers who are knowledgeable about the range of child care subsidies available in this State and who can explain t…

1. Single application form. By October 1, 1993, the department shall develop a universal application for all publicly funded child care programs for applicants who are seeking child care as their primary service. By January 1, 1994, the department shall require all caseworkers an…

1. Eligibility. A Head Start program service provider shall provide Head Start program services to a child up to 5 years of age who: A. Is at risk or whose family is at risk; and [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §4 (NEW).] B. Lives in a family with an income at or below 185% of the fed…

1. No payments to recipients. The department may not make cash payments to recipients for child care services provided under this chapter, except when those payments represent reimbursement for services already provided to the recipient. 2. Maintenance of existing options. The de…

The department shall develop and implement a system to provide salary supplements to child care providers and early childhood educators who provide direct services to children in a child care facility licensed under section 8301‑A, subsection 2 or who are family child care provid…

1. Establishment. The Office of Child Care and Head Start is established within the Division of Purchased and Support Services. 2. Powers and duties. The office has the following powers and duties: A. Maintain an inventory of child care information; [PL 1993, c. 158, §2 (NEW).] B…

The department shall evaluate child care subsidies provided under this chapter and, beginning January 15, 2024 and annually thereafter, submit a report of the evaluation with recommendations on increasing enrollment and reducing barriers to families receiving child care subsidies…

The department shall create and maintain an estimator tool in accordance with this section to calculate the actual cost of quality child care. [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).] 1. Considerations. In developing the costs estimator tool, the department shall consider: A. Includ…

The department, in consultation with the Office of Child and Family Services, the Children's Cabinet, established under Title 5, section 19131, subsection 1, and the council, shall develop, in accordance with this section, a phased implementation plan with benchmarks for limiting…

This section governs data collection and reporting relating to an early childhood integrated data system. [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §9 (NEW).] 1. Data collection. To the extent permissible under state and federal laws governing early childhood programs and privacy and confidenti…

The department, at the discretion of the commissioner, may establish and operate a program of emergency assistance to needy families with children within the United States Social Security Act, Title IV‑A, Section 406(e), and any amendments and additions. [PL 1993, c. 707, Pt. I, …

The department shall promote family economic self-support in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. [PL 1997, c. 530, Pt. A, §16 (NEW).] 1. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "…

1. Family contract. During the TANF orientation process, a representative of the department and the TANF recipient shall enter into a family contract. The family contract must state the responsibilities of the parties to the agreement including, but not limited to, cooperation in…

The Treasurer of State is the appropriate fiscal officer of the State to receive federal grants on account of the TANF program and administration of those grants, in accordance with the United States Social Security Act, and the State Controller shall authorize expenditures as ap…

When a relative with whom a child is living is found by the department to be incapable of taking care of the child's money, payment may be made only to a legally appointed guardian or conservator and, notwithstanding Title 18‑C, Article 5, Part 4, in the matter of infirmities of …

All rights to public assistance are absolutely inalienable by any assignment, sale, execution, pledge or otherwise and may not pass, in case of insolvency or bankruptcy, to any trustee, assignee or creditor.

The parents of a child receiving assistance under this chapter are responsible for partial or total support of that child, if they are of sufficient ability. In determining the ability of the parents, the department must consider the assets and income of the parent. [PL 1997, c. …

Any sums paid to or in behalf of any person under sections 3762 to 3765, as a result of any false statement, misrepresentation or concealment of assets or income, may be recovered in a civil action brought by the department against the person to whom such money was paid.

1. Payment priority. Payments made on behalf of the department for TANF assistance, the Parents as Scholars Program under chapter 1054‑B and for foster care have priority over other payments and must be made without delay whether or not they are pursuant to a state plan or contra…

The department shall adopt rules to implement this chapter. Except as specifically provided, rules adopted pursuant to this chapter are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II‑A.

1. Amount of assistance. It is the goal of this section to provide low-income families with children sufficient income to meet their most basic needs. If the commissioner determines that unexpended funds are available within the Department of Health and Human Services state or fe…

In fiscal year 2016-17 and annually thereafter, the Department of Health and Human Services may use $500,000 in funds provided under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant to promote financial literacy and healthy savings habits of families with income less than …

1. Use of block grant funds. In fiscal year 2020-21 and annually thereafter, the department shall provide up to $2,000,000 in funds provided under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant to community action agencies designated pursuant to section 5324 or other com…

It is the policy of the State to use available resources and institutions to provide education, training and job opportunities to qualified and eligible recipients of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program with the goal of enabling them to become self-sufficient and …

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to mean that any department, agency, institution or program shall be required to obligate or expend funds beyond existing funds available to them for these purposes.

1. ASPIRE-TANF program defined. "ASPIRE-TANF program" means the Additional Support for People in Retraining and Employment - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program established pursuant to this chapter and the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconcili…

1. Case management services. The department shall provide case management services to individuals participating in the ASPIRE-TANF program, referred to in this section as the "program." The department shall adopt rules in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act def…

An individual may not be sanctioned under this program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families for failure to participate in the ASPIRE-TANF program if that failure to participate is based on good cause. Each individual participating in an ASPIRE-TANF orientation must receive …