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LD 1061

An Act To Increase Community Support For Families In Maine

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michele Meyer

Provides ongoing $1,563,470/year General Fund to DHHS to support Maine Child Abuse Prevention Councils for statewide community-family prevention; emergency measure carried over.

Died in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD)
#abuseandneglect #childrenandfamilies #prevention
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Bill Summary · LD 1061

Summary: LD 1061 – An Act To Increase Community Support For Families In Maine

Overview

LD 1061 is a bill introduced in the 132nd Maine Legislature (Introduced March 12, 2025) and currently carried over in the same posture to any special or regular session (Joint Order SP 800). The bill seeks to strengthen child abuse prevention and family support across Maine by funding statewide community efforts through the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). It underwent rapid legislative action in spring 2025 and includes an emergency enactment mechanism requiring a two-thirds vote.

Sponsor: Rep. Meyer of Eliot
Committee: Health and Human Services
LR: LR 1157

Purpose and Intent

  • The primary purpose is to increase community support for families in Maine and enhance child abuse prevention services statewide.
  • The bill would provide dedicated, ongoing funding to support Maine’s Maine Child Abuse Prevention Councils, enabling them to deliver prevention-related programs and services at the community level.

Key Provisions

  • Ongoing General Fund appropriations to DHHS totaling $1,563,470 per fiscal year, starting in FY 2025-26.
  • Funding is designated for Maine Child Abuse Prevention Councils to support family- and community-based prevention activities statewide.
  • The measure is treated as an emergency measure, with a two-thirds vote of all members elected to the House required for enactment.

Note: The bill was amended in committee (Committee Amendment "A" H-78) during the floor process.

Fiscal Impact

  • General Fund appropriations: $1,563,470 annually (FY 2025-26 through at least FY 2028-29, per the fiscal notes).
  • Net cost to the General Fund is the same amount as appropriations (no offsetting savings reported in the fiscal notes).
  • The funds are appropriated to DHHS for the Maine Child Abuse Prevention Councils to provide community support for families and child abuse prevention services statewide.

Implementation and Timeline

  • If enacted, funds would begin in FY 2025-26 and recur annually.
  • The bill is designated as an emergency measure requiring a two-thirds vote to enact, which affects the path to final approval.
  • As of the latest actions, the bill has been carried over to a future session, meaning it would be reconsidered in a later special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature.

Affected Parties and Entities

  • Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
  • Maine Child Abuse Prevention Councils
  • Families and children across Maine who benefit from prevention services and community support programs

Legislative Status and Process (Recent Actions)

  • March 12, 2025: Referred to Health and Human Services
  • April–May 2025: Passed committee and floor processes, amended (H-78), and advanced toward enactment as an emergency measure
  • May 7, 2025: Passed to be enacted as an emergency measure (two-thirds vote required)
  • May–June 2025: Carried over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session per SP 800

Notes for Readers

  • The bill’s central aim is to provide stable, ongoing funding to support community-based family and child abuse prevention efforts via Maine’s Prevention Councils.
  • The emergency designation and the “carried over” status indicate that while progress was made, final enactment depends on future legislative action.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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