Since 1999, YLAT has appeared before the legislature a number of times to testify about pending legislation and to inform committees conducting studies on child welfare issues. YLAT members have addressed a number of policy issues in this forum.

In 1999, YLAT members prepared and provided testimony before the Joint Committee on Education regarding the Tuition Waiver for Youth in Foster Care bill. Because of their efforts, Maine became the third state in the nation to pass a tuition waiver bill for youth in foster care.

• An April 2001 article from Common Ground describes how Maine youth effectively advocated for passage of this legislation.
• The Maine Legislatures website contains the complete text of the Tuition Waiver law.
• The National Resource Center for Youth Services' website tracks the number of states that have passed tuition waiver laws for youth in foster care.
• FAME administers the Tuition Waiver law.
• In 2000, YLAT members provided testimony before the Health and Human Services Committee regarding services to families to prevent removal of children.

Also in 2000, YLAT members appeared before a Special Legislative Commission studying child abuse.

• The final report of the Commission is on the Maine Legislatures web site.

In 2001 YLAT members participated in the review of the Department of Human Services by testifying before the Health and Human Services Committee reviewing the Department of Human Services in 2001.

• YLAT also presented a summary report on key issues and recommendations regarding youth experiences in foster care.
• Media coverage of YLATs testimony appeared in a variety of newspapers across the state: Sun Journal, Portland Press Herald, Bangor Daily News, Kennebec Journal and the Morning Sentinal.
• The final report of the Committees review is on the Maine Legislatures web site.
• The final report on the Committee to review the Child Protective System can also be found on the Maine Legislatures web site.