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131st MAINE LEGISLATURE |
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LD 1240 |
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LR 675(02) |
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An Act to Develop
a Pilot Program to Provide Legal Representation to Families in the Child
Protection System |
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Fiscal Note for
Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " " |
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Committee: Judiciary |
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Fiscal Note Required: Yes |
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| Fiscal Note |
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FY 2023-24 |
FY 2024-25 |
Projections FY 2025-26 |
Projections FY 2026-27 |
| Net Cost
(Savings) |
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General Fund |
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$712,500 |
$950,000 |
$237,500 |
$0 |
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| Appropriations/Allocations |
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General Fund |
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$712,500 |
$950,000 |
$237,500 |
$0 |
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| Fiscal Detail
and Notes |
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This bill
requires the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services to establish a
2-year pilot program to provide legal representation and related advocacy
services to indigent parents and custodians residing in three counties who
have become the subject of a child protection investigation by the Department
of Health and Human Services and to provide a "warmline" for
parents and custodians statewide. The bill includes one-time General Fund
appropriations of $712,500 in fiscal year 2023-24 and $950,000 in fiscal year
2024-25 to the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services to design and
implement the program, reimburse attorneys for indigent legal services
provided, operate the warmline and conduct an independent evaluation of the
program. These estimates assume the 2-year program is in effect from October
1, 2023 to September 30, 2025. |
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Any additional
costs to the Department of Health and Human Services to partner with Maine
Commission on Indigent Legal Services to design and evaluate the pilot
program and ensure that parents and custodians who fall within the target
population are made aware of the program are expected to be minor and can be
absorbed within existing budgeted resources. |
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