PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
An Act To Preserve the Commitment Made to Children in the State's Care
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §4061-A  is enacted to read:
§ 4061-A.  Reimbursement to adoptive families
The department shall provide to an adoptive family for a child placed with the family a subsidy through the execution of a renewable contract for a period of 4 years. The level of subsidy may not be decreased during the term of the contract for any reason.
Sec. 2. Moratorium. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Department of Health and Human Services may not reduce the level of adoption subsidies between October 1, 2009 and September 30, 2013.
 
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide to an adoptive family for a child placed with the family a subsidy through the execution of a renewable contract for a period of 4 years, during which time the level of reimbursement may not be decreased. The bill also prohibits the department from reducing adoption subsidies between October 1, 2009 and September 30, 2013.