AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature voted to enact LD 1722 on Thursday, a proposal to allocate Maine's opioid settlement funds to support opioid and substance use services, sponsored by Rep. Charlotte Warren, D-Hallowell..
This legislation was introduced in an effort to best utilize the over $130 million received by the state as the result of lawsuits filed against opioid manufacturers and distributors for their role in the ongoing opioid crisis.
As proposed, the funds will be used to support prevention, intervention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery services, without replacing any current or future money focused on addressing Maine's statewide opioid and substance use disorders.
"With the millions of dollars that are coming to Maine as a result of litigation involving opioid manufacturers and distributors, we have a critical opportunity to address Maine's opioid crisis, and LD 1722 will help us achieve this," said Warren.
The bill now heads to the governor's desk.
Warren is serving her fourth term in the Maine House of Representatives as House chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety. She serves the city of Hallowell and the towns of Manchester and West Gardiner.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Warren], c. 812-1111