# 22 M.R.S. § 3767: 22 §3767. Parental responsibility

> Maine · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T22_S3_C1053-B_S3767

## Section

- **Citation:** 22 M.R.S. § 3767
- **Heading:** 22 §3767. Parental responsibility
- **Jurisdiction:** Maine
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** ME Code / Title 22 / Subtitle 3 / Chapter 1053-B / Section 3767

## Text

The parents of a child receiving assistance under this chapter are responsible for partial or total support of that child, if they are of sufficient ability. In determining the ability of the parents, the department must consider the assets and income of the parent. [PL 1997, c. 530, Pt. A, §16 (NEW).]

The department may bring proceedings in the District Court or Superior Court in the county where the child resides or in the county where the parent may be found to compel any person liable under this section to contribute to the support of any child receiving that assistance if, after reasonable efforts on the part of the department, voluntary contributions have not been made. The department shall bring the action as a petition for support upon not less than 7 days' notice. The court may order either one or both parents of the child to contribute to the support of the child by paying money weekly or monthly as determined in accordance with Title 19‑A, chapter 63 and may enforce obedience by appropriate decrees, execution issuing for that money when payable. An order for child support under this section may include an order for the payment of part or all of the medical expenses, hospital expenses and other health care expenses of the child or an order to provide a policy or contract for coverage of those expenses. When a parent is committed to jail as a defendant on execution under this section, the county having jurisdiction of the process shall bear the expense of the defendant's commitment and support. The defendant may petition the court issuing that execution for relief and the judge of the court, after due notice to the department and hearing on the petition, may order the defendant's discharge from imprisonment on the terms and conditions justice requires. [RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. A, §63 (COR).]

## Nearby sections

- [22 M.R.S. § 3762 22 §3762. Temporary assistance for needy families; promotion of economic self-support](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T22_S3_C1053-B_S3762.md)
- [22 M.R.S. § 3763 22 §3763. Program requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T22_S3_C1053-B_S3763.md)
- [22 M.R.S. § 3764 22 §3764. Federal grants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T22_S3_C1053-B_S3764.md)
- [22 M.R.S. § 3765 22 §3765. Payments to guardian or conservator](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T22_S3_C1053-B_S3765.md)
- [22 M.R.S. § 3766 22 §3766. Inalienability of assistance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T22_S3_C1053-B_S3766.md)
- [22 M.R.S. § 3767 22 §3767. Parental responsibility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T22_S3_C1053-B_S3767.md)
- [22 M.R.S. § 3768 22 §3768. Fraud in obtaining aid, civil recovery](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T22_S3_C1053-B_S3768.md)
- [22 M.R.S. § 3769 22 §3769. Disbursements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T22_S3_C1053-B_S3769.md)
- [22 M.R.S. § 3769-A 22 §3769-A. Rulemaking](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T22_S3_C1053-B_S3769-A.md)
- [22 M.R.S. § 3769-C 22 §3769-C. Adjustment to amount of assistance; report](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T22_S3_C1053-B_S3769-C.md)
- [22 M.R.S. § 3769-D 22 §3769-D. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant; family development accounts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T22_S3_C1053-B_S3769-D.md)
- [22 M.R.S. § 3769-E 22 §3769-E. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant; increased heating assistance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T22_S3_C1053-B_S3769-E.md)
- [22 M.R.S. § 3769-G 22 §3769-G. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant; whole family economic security initiatives](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T22_S3_C1053-B_S3769-G.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T22_S3_C1053-B_S3767. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.