Sec. 4. 22 MRSA §4087-A, sub-§§9 and 10, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 439, Pt. X, §5, are amended to read:

9. Information. Beginning January 1, 2002, information about the services of the program and any applicable grievance and appeal procedures must be given to all children and families receiving child welfare services from the department and from all persons and entities contracting with the department for the provision of child welfare services and to all children and families receiving services from the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services.

10. Report. The program shall report to the Governor, the department, the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services and the Legislature before January 1st each year on the activities and services of the program, priorities among types of inquiries and complaints that may have been set by the program, waiting lists for services, the provision of outreach services and recommendations for changes in policy, rule or law to improve the provision of services.

SUMMARY

This bill extends the duties of the ombudsman who provides services to children and families regarding child welfare services provided by the Department of Human Services to include the provision of ombudsman services to children and families regarding services provided to children by the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services.