AUGUSTA - State lawmakers have given initial approval to a proposal by Rep. Scott Landry, D-Farmington, to help local fire departments limit firefighters' exposure to harmful chemicals. The bill was approved "under the hammer," or by unanimous consent, in both the Maine House and Senate this week.
AUGUSTA - After a unanimous vote on Tuesday in the Maine House of Representatives, the Maine Senate voted Wednesday to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Jim Boyle, D-Gorham, that would require battery storage facility developers of projects that are two megawatts or more to establish a decommissioning plan for the end of the project's useful life.
AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted last week to enact legislation sponsored by Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, that would expand Maine's health care workforce.
AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted unanimously Tuesday to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Sue Salisbury, D-Westbrook, that would support Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers that offer community paramedicine services.
AUGUSTA - A bill from Rep. Kevin O'Connell, D-Brewer, to raise the minimum age to marry was signed into law on Thursday, June 1.
Current state law allows children who are 16 or 17 years old to get married so long as they have written consent from their parents or guardians or the consent of a probate judge.
AUGUSTA - Last week, the Maine House of Representatives unanimously enacted LD 1615, sponsored by Rep. Mo Terry, D-Gorham, which would expand Mainers' access to safe, nonprescription medications like Advil or DayQuil.
AUGUSTA - Last week, the Maine House of Representatives unanimously enacted LD 1258, sponsored by Rep. Mo Terry, D-Gorham, which would provide support to Maine farmers by increasing the property tax exemption for farm machinery.
AUGUSTA - Last week, the Maine House of Representatives unanimously enacted LD 87, sponsored by Rep. Sean Paulhus, D-Bath, which would allow the governor to distribute funding during a state of emergency to nonprofits that provide food assistance.
AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee voted last week to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Drew Gattine, D-Westbrook, that would continue a successful homeless substance use disorder service program.
"Housing is a critical component of substance use disorder treatment," said Gattine. "Traditional case management systems are unsuitable for homeless individuals experiencing acute symptoms of substance use disorder, making them particularly susceptible to overdoses and death. More intensive, low-barrier approaches like this legislation are needed."
AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Daniel J. Hobbs, D-Wells, which directs the Maine Community College System to study providing more housing on its campuses, is now law after being signed by Gov. Janet Mills last week.
"This bill will aid the Maine Community College System in their efforts to ensure campus housing is more accessible for students across Maine," said Hobbs. "In a tight housing market, on-campus housing should be more available to all students, so that finding off-campus housing is not added to the list of challenges students already face."
