An Act To Preserve the Commitment Made to Children in the State's Care

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.