AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Maine’s child protection office could face new scrutiny if the state Legislature passes a new oversight proposal.
The state has made reforms to its child protective services since the deaths of two children who were in the system. Four-year-old Kendall Chick died in 2017 and 10-year-old Marissa Kennedy died in 2018.
Democratic State Sen. Bill Diamond of Windham wants to add a legislative commission to review the Maine Office of Child and Family Services and make recommendations to reform the office. The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee approved the proposal on Wednesday.
Maine has added dozens of new state staff and caseworkers to help prevent abuse and neglect since the deaths of Kendall and Marissa, in addition to other reforms. Diamond said his proposal is about taking “a real, thorough look at what we’re doing to ensure the safety of all children in Maine.”
The proposal will face action before the full Maine Legislature in the weeks to come.
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