ME LD1893

Establishes the Office of the Child Advocate as an independent agency attached to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, with authority to oversee all executive agencies providing services to children under 21 years of age

Child Advocate appointed by the Governor on recommendation of a 17-member Advisory Committee, confirmed by 2/3 Senate vote, serving a 5-year term; must hold a graduate degree in law, nursing, public health, social work, or related field

Grants the Child Advocate broad investigative powers including access to all case records, medical records, law enforcement records, and autopsy reports; authority to issue subpoenas; and ability to investigate critical incidents such as child fatalities, serious injuries, abuse, trafficking, and restraint or seclusion

Requires executive agencies to immediately notify the Child Advocate by telephone of any child fatality or serious injury, and mandates annual public reports on office activities by January 15, 2027, plus biennial reports on juvenile justice conditions of confinement

Repeals the existing ombudsman program under the Department of Health and Human Services and transfers its functions and funding to the new independent Office of the Child Advocate