Resolve, to Establish a Pilot Project to Alleviate the Staffing Crisis in the Child Protective Services System
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 2097
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: KEIM, ARATA, BENNETT, HICKMAN, TIMBERLAKE, TIPPING, FAY, MASTRACCIO, MILLETT, TALBOT ROSS

Legislative Document
No. 2097
S.P. 890
In Senate, January 3, 2024
Resolve, to Establish a Pilot Project to Alleviate the Staffing Crisis 
in the Child Protective Services System
(EMERGENCY)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203.
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator KEIM of Oxford.
Cosponsored by Representative ARATA of New Gloucester and
Senators: BENNETT of Oxford, HICKMAN of Kennebec, TIMBERLAKE of Androscoggin, 
TIPPING of Penobscot, Representatives: FAY of Raymond, MASTRACCIO of Sanford, 
MILLETT of Waterford, Speaker TALBOT ROSS of Portland.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family 
Services is experiencing a shortage of caseworkers; and
Whereas, this staffing shortage means that existing staff are overworked and in need 
of assistance, which in turn limits the office's ability to provide necessary child protective 
services; and
Whereas, this legislation establishes a pilot project for the recruitment and 
employment of case aides to provide visitation supervision, referral and administrative 
services as support for caseworkers; and
Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect as soon as possible so that new case 
aides providing support to caseworkers may be recruited and begin their work; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it
Sec. 1. Case aides pilot project. Resolved: That, by June 1, 2024, the Department 
of Health and Human Services shall develop and implement a pilot project in the 
department's Office of Child and Family Services for the recruitment and employment of 
case aides in the child protective services system for those areas of the child protective 
services system where there is the greatest need for assistance, as determined by the 
department.  The pilot project must include a public recruitment campaign that targets 
retirees and other persons not in the workforce.
In developing the pilot project, the department shall consider:
1. Higher rates of compensation for case aides hired under the pilot project;
2. Whether case aides hired under the pilot project would be covered by collective 
bargaining agreements;
3. The development of appropriate internship programs for credit;
4. The use of signing bonuses;
5. The availability of flexible work hours; and
6. Other incentives as determined by the department for the recruitment and 
employment of case aides.
Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That, by November 6, 2024, the Department of Health 
and Human Services shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature 
having jurisdiction over health and human services matters addressing the implementation 
and effectiveness of the pilot project under section 1 and making recommendations 
regarding further recruitment and employment efforts. The joint standing committee may 
submit legislation to the 132nd Legislature in 2025 to continue or expand the pilot project.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Department of Health and Human Services to increase staffing 
in the department's Office of Child and Family Services by developing and implementing 
a pilot project in the office for the recruitment and employment of case aides in the child 
protective services system for those areas of the child protective services system where 
there is the greatest need for assistance, as determined by the department.  The pilot project 
must include a public recruitment campaign that targets retirees and other persons not in 
the workforce.  The department is directed to submit a report addressing the implementation 
and effectiveness of the pilot project and making recommendations regarding further 
recruitment and employment efforts to the joint standing committee of the Legislature 
having jurisdiction over health and human services matters, which may submit legislation 
to the 132nd Legislature in 2025 to continue or expand the pilot project.