An Act to Establish a Navigator Position in the Department of Health and Human Services for Families and Children Involved in the Foster Care System
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1429
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: FAY, GATTINE, MADIGAN, PERRY, SHAGOURY, STOVER, HICKMAN, KEIM, TIMBERLAKE

Legislative Document
No. 1429
H.P. 925
House of Representatives, March 30, 2023
An Act to Establish a Navigator Position in the Department of 
Health and Human Services for Families and Children Involved in 
the Foster Care System
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative FAY of Raymond.
Cosponsored by Representatives: GATTINE of Westbrook, MADIGAN of Waterville, PERRY 
of Calais, SHAGOURY of Hallowell, STOVER of Boothbay, Senators: HICKMAN of 
Kennebec, KEIM of Oxford, TIMBERLAKE of Androscoggin.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  22 MRSA c. 1071, sub-c. 10-B is enacted to read:
SUBCHAPTER 10-B
RESOURCE FAMILY NAVIGATOR
§4087-E.  Resource family navigator
The resource family navigator, referred to in this subchapter as "the navigator," is 
established as an independent navigator within the department who shall provide resources 
and information to resource families.  The navigator shall consider and promote the best 
interests of the child and assist resource families and children in the child welfare system 
receiving services from the department.
1.  Term.  The commissioner shall appoint one person as the navigator to administer 
the navigator program for a 6-year term.  The navigator may only be removed or dismissed 
for cause.  The navigator may hire additional personnel if resources are available.
2.  Services.  The navigator may provide the following services for resource families 
and children in the child welfare system who request assistance or make inquiries of the 
navigator:
A.  Identify and coordinate existing resources;
B.  Advocate within the department for assistance and to solve problems; and
C.  Provide referrals to available resources and information about the means of 
obtaining services from the department.
The navigator shall develop collaborative working relationships within offices within the 
department, social service agencies and other organizations providing services.
3.  Access to records.  As necessary for carrying out the navigator's duties, the 
department shall provide access to the files and records of the department to the navigator 
for the purposes of providing the services in subsection 2.  The navigator shall maintain the 
confidentiality of all information and records obtained under this subsection.
4.  Confidentiality of records.  Information held by and records and case-specific 
reports maintained by the navigator are confidential.  Disclosure may be made as allowed 
or required in accordance with the provisions of section 4008, subsections 2 and 3.  
Unlawful dissemination is subject to the provisions of section 4008, subsection 4.
Sec. 2. Report.  The resource family navigator established in the Maine Revised 
Statutes, Title 22, section 4087-E shall, no later than December 6, 2023, submit a report to 
the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services with the number of people 
served by the resource family navigator and a description of the issues addressed by the 
navigator.  The committee may report out legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 
131st Legislature relating to the report.
SUMMARY
This bill establishes a navigator position within the Department of Health and Human 
Services to provide assistance to resource families and foster families caring for children 
involved in the child welfare system.  The position is appointed by the Commissioner of 
Health and Human Services for a 6-year term and may be dismissed only for cause.  The 
navigator provides assistance to resource families, foster parents and children who request 
assistance with identifying resources, advocating within the department and agencies 
providing resources and providing referrals. The navigator must be given access to 
department records and files for the purposes of providing services; those records remain 
confidential and may be disclosed only in accordance with existing law.
The bill also requires the navigator to report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health 
and Human Services and authorizes the committee to report out legislation related to the 
report.