An Act To Support the Operations of Youth Shelters in Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1076
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: LIBBY, MORALES, CLAXTON, DAUGHTRY, ARFORD, CLOUTIER, COREY, CRAVEN, STOVER, TALBOT ROSS
Amends: 22 MRSA §8101

Legislative Document
No. 1076
S.P. 344
In Senate, March 11, 2021
An Act To Support the Operations of Youth Shelters in Maine
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator LIBBY of Androscoggin.
Cosponsored by Representative MORALES of South Portland and
Senators: CLAXTON of Androscoggin, DAUGHTRY of Cumberland, Representatives: 
ARFORD of Brunswick, CLOUTIER of Lewiston, COREY of Windham, CRAVEN of 
Lewiston, STOVER of Boothbay, TALBOT ROSS of Portland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  22 MRSA §8101, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2013, c. 179, §7, is further 
amended to read:
2.  Emergency children's shelter.  "Emergency children's shelter" means a facility 
that operates to receive children 24 hours a day and that limits placement to 30 90 
consecutive days or less.  For purposes of this section, the definition of "children" includes 
a person under 21 years of age. "Emergency children's shelter" does not mean a family 
foster home or specialized children's home.  If emergency shelter is a service provided by 
a children's residential care facility, the service is restricted to a designated physical area 
of the facility.
Sec. 2.  22 MRSA §8101, sub-§4-A, as amended by PL 2013, c. 179, §7, is further 
amended to read:
4-A.  Shelter for homeless children.  "Shelter for homeless children" means a facility 
designed to provide for the overnight lodging and supervision of children 10 years of age 
or older for no more than 30 90 consecutive overnights.  For purposes of this section, the 
definition of "children" includes a person under 21 years of age.
Sec. 3.  Rules for licensure of shelters for homeless children.  The Department 
of Health and Human Services shall amend its rule Chapter 8: Rules for the Licensure of 
Shelters for Homeless Children, to allow the admission of a child into care for up to 30 
days without first notifying the child's guardian.
Sec. 4.  Rules for licensing of emergency shelters for children.  The 
Department of Health and Human Services shall amend its rule Chapter 9: Rules for the 
Licensing of Emergency Shelters for Children, to allow the admission of a child into care 
for up to 30 days without the permission of the child's guardian.
Sec. 5.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Homeless Youth Program 0923
Initiative: Provides additional funding for homeless youth shelters in the State.
GENERAL FUND
2021-22
2022-23
All Other
$500,000
$500,000
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$500,000
$500,000
SUMMARY
This bill amends the definitions of "emergency children's shelter" and "shelter for 
homeless children" to extend from 30 consecutive days or overnights to 90 consecutive 
days or overnights the length of time a child may stay at such a facility.  The bill requires 
the Department of Health and Human Services to amend its rules for the licensure of 
shelters for homeless children to allow a child to be admitted for up to 30 days without first 
notifying the child's guardian.  The bill requires the department to also amend its rules for 
the licensure of emergency shelters for children to allow the admission of a child into care 
for up to 30 days without obtaining the permission of the child's guardian.
Finally, the bill increases the funding provided to homeless youth shelters from 
$2,000,000 annually to $2,500,000 annually.