ME LD770

Creates an independent Office of the Inspector General of Child Protection as a state agency to investigate misconduct, deaths, and serious injuries involving children in state custody, foster care, residential facilities, detention centers, and juvenile justice programs

Governor appoints the Inspector General for a 5-year term (maximum 10 years without legislative approval), subject to Senate confirmation; appointee must have no political affiliation consideration, demonstrate integrity and leadership, and cannot have worked for DHHS in the past 5 years

Requires mandatory reporting to the office of all suspicious child deaths, serious injuries, sexual abuse allegations, assaults, escapes, suicide attempts, use of mechanical restraints, and significant medical events involving children in state care

Grants broad investigative powers including subpoena authority, direct access to computerized records, authority to conduct unannounced visits, and ability to make referrals to licensing boards and law enforcement; failure to cooperate is a civil violation with fines up to $1,000

Requires annual reports to legislative committees by September 15th summarizing investigations and recommendations for improving accountability, with confidential information redacted from public summaries