An Act To Expand Access to Head Start To Assist Opioid-affected and Other At-risk Families
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1417
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: McCREIGHT, SANBORN, BEEBE-CENTER, FECTEAU, HICKMAN, RECKITT, STOVER, TALBOT ROSS, CLAXTON, VITELLI
Amends: 22 MRSA §3736

Legislative Document
No. 1417
H.P. 1030
House of Representatives, March 28, 2019
An Act To Expand Access to Head Start To Assist Opioid-affected 
and Other At-risk Families
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative McCREIGHT of Harpswell.
Cosponsored by Senator SANBORN, L. of Cumberland and
Representatives: BEEBE-CENTER of Rockland, FECTEAU of Biddeford, HICKMAN of 
Winthrop, RECKITT of South Portland, STOVER of Boothbay, TALBOT ROSS of Portland, 
Senators: CLAXTON of Androscoggin, VITELLI of Sagadahoc.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  22 MRSA §3736, sub-§4 is enacted to read:
4.  Head Start eligibility.  A Head Start program service provider shall provide Head 
Start program services to a child up to 5 years of age:
A.  Who is affected or whose family is affected by substance use disorder; or
B.  Whose family's income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.  For 
purposes of this paragraph, "federal poverty level" has the same meaning as in section 
3762, subsection 1, paragraph C.
Sec. 2.  Department of Health and Human Services to distribute funds to 
Head Start programs based upon new eligibility standards for at-risk 
children and family poverty level.  The Department of Health and Human Services, 
Office of Child and Family Services shall use funds received in section 3 to supplement 
funds currently available for Head Start program service providers.  The department shall 
proportionately distribute the funds received in section 3 to nontribal Head Start program 
service providers in an amount based upon the percentage of children up to 5 years of age 
who live at or below the federal poverty level in each provider's service area compared to 
the percentage of children up to 5 years of age who live at or below the federal poverty 
level statewide.  A Head Start program service provider that receives funds pursuant to 
this Act shall use the funds to provide Head Start program services to applicants who 
meet the eligibility standards under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 3736, 
subsection 4, with preference given to children who are at risk or whose families are at 
risk.  If a Head Start program service provider that receives funds pursuant to this Act has 
a vacancy, the service provider shall seek referrals from the Office of Child and Family 
Services.  For purposes of this section, "at risk" means affected by substance use disorder, 
sexual or physical abuse, homelessness, a mental health disorder or another condition that 
affects the emotional, mental or physical health of a child.
Sec. 3.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Office of Child and Family Services - Central 0307
Initiative:  Provides ongoing funds to supplement funding to nontribal Head Start 
program service providers.
GENERAL FUND
2019-20
2020-21
All Other
$7,500,000
$15,000,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$7,500,000
$15,000,000
SUMMARY
This bill establishes eligibility standards for the Head Start program that allow 
participation for a child up to 5 years of age who is or whose family is affected by 
substance use disorder or whose family's income is at or below 185% of the federal 
poverty level.  This bill also provides appropriations to be distributed to nontribal Head 
Start program service providers proportionately in an amount based upon the percentage 
of children up to 5 years of age who live at or below the federal poverty level in each 
provider's service area compared to the percentage of children up to 5 years of age who 
live at or below the federal poverty level statewide, with preference given to children who 
are at risk or whose families are at risk.