Sec. EEE-1. 22 MRSA §4087-A, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 439, Pt. X, §5, is amended to read:
4. Services. The program shall provide services directly or under contract and may set priorities for service among the types of inquiries and complaints. The first priority in the work of the program and any contract for ombudsman services must be case-specific advocacy services. Any work on systems improvements or lobbying must be adjunctive to case-specific activities. The program may:
A. Provide information to the public about the services of the program through a comprehensive outreach program. The ombudsman shall provide information through a toll-free telephone number or numbers;
B. Answer inquiries, investigate and work toward resolution of complaints regarding the performance and services of the department and participate in conferences, meetings and studies that may improve the performance of the department;
C. Provide services to persons to assist them in protecting their rights;
D. Inform persons of the means of obtaining services from the department;
E. Provide information and referral services;
F. Analyze and provide opinions and recommendations to agencies, the Governor and the Legislature on state programs, rules, policies and laws;
G. Determine what types of complaints and inquiries will be accepted for action by the program and adopt policies and procedures regarding communication with persons making inquiries or complaints and the department;
H. Apply for and utilize grants, gifts and funds for the purpose of performing the duties of the program; and
I. Collect and analyze records and data relevant to the duties and activities of the program and make reports as required by law or determined to be appropriate.
Sec. EEE-2. Child welfare ombudsman program. The contract in effect on the effective date of this Part for ombudsman program services within the Department of Human Services under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 4087-A terminates June 30, 2003. The Executive Department and the Department of Human Services, Community Service Center shall begin a request for proposal process in April 2003 in order that a new contract may be signed and a contractor may be committed to providing services under a contract for ombudsman services from July 1, 2003 until June 30, 2004.
Sec. EEE-3. Departmental restructuring. When consideration is given to the question of departmental restructuring for the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services and the Department of Human Services during the term of the 121st Legislature, consideration must be given to the child welfare ombudsman program established under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 4087-A. Consideration of the ombudsman program must include a review of the organizational structures available for the program, including operation under the Executive Department, operation by a private nonprofit, a combination structure and any other options for delivering child welfare ombudsman services effectively and efficiently.
Sec. EEE-4. Child welfare 2002 initiative delay. The provisions of this Act that delay the 2002 child welfare initiative as enacted in Public Law 2001, chapter 559, Part CC do not delay the provisions of Part CC, sections 1 to 7. The provisions of this Act that delay the 2002 child welfare initiative as enacted in Public Law 2001, chapter 559, Part CC delay the applicable expenditures under Part CC, section 8.
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