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• Introduced by Rep. Anne C. Perry (D) on April 8, 2008, this bill is a committee bill from the majority of the committee. The bill establishes the Office of the Child Advocate through contracted services for the purpose of ongoing, coordinated advocacy on behalf of young children. It establishes the Maine Children's Growth Council to develop, maintain and evaluate a long-term plan for investment in the healthy development of Maine's young children and their families and to review and address recommendations of studies and advisory committees and the Children's Cabinet. The bill provides for a research and evaluation contract and a needs assessment contract. The bill changes the rate of interest on quality child care project loans, requires the Department of Health and Human Services to offer voluntary universal home visiting for new families as permitted by the availability of funds and requires the Finance Authority of Maine to undertake a public education campaign regarding the availability of loans for child care facilities. The bill provides increased funding for quality child care education scholarships, requires a report on the benefits, cost-effectiveness and effect on families of unifying policies governing child care subsidies and provides funding for regional collaboration coaches for prekindergarten programs. In making the initial appointments to the Maine Children's Growth Council, the bill requires the appointing authorities to consider for appointment persons who serve on the Children's Cabinet Task Force on Early Childhood.
• Passed in the House by voice vote on April 8, 2008.
• Received in the Senate on April 8, 2008.
• Passed in the Senate by voice vote on April 8, 2008.
• Received in the Senate on April 11, 2008.
  • Motion by Sen. Margaret R. Rotundo (D) on April 11, 2008, to place the bill before the special appropriations committee for concurrence. Note: After passage by the House and Senate, all bills that would require expenditures must receive special appropriations concurrence before being sent to the governor for signature or veto.
  • Amendment offered by Sen. Margaret R. Rotundo (D) on April 18, 2008. The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on April 18, 2008.
• Passed in the Senate by voice vote on April 18, 2008.
• Received in the House on April 18, 2008.
• Passed in the House by voice vote on April 18, 2008.