• Read more about Committee advances Gattine bill to continue homeless substance use disorder service program

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."

• Read more about Hobbs bill to study providing more on-campus housing at community colleges becomes law

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."

• Read more about Maine House enacts Gattine bill to invest in the health and wellness of older Mainers

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted unanimously Thursday to enact a measure sponsored by Rep. Drew Gattine, D-Westbrook, to support older Maine residents by investing in coordinated community programming.

• Read more about House advances Skold bill to establish parity in tipping laws for restaurant workers

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted unanimously Thursday to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Charles Skold, D-Portland, that would benefit both restaurants and workers by bringing Maine into alignment with recent changes in federal regulations regarding tip pooling.

• Read more about Maine House enacts Cloutier bill to address workforce shortage

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted unanimously on Thursday to enact LD 1169, sponsored by Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston. The legislation would change the Foreign Credentialing and Skills Recognition Revolving Loan Program to a grant program and increase the maximum allowable distribution of funds to eligible applicants from the current $700 to $1,000.

• Read more about Maine House enacts Geiger bill to study publicly funded early child care

AUGUSTA - On Thursday, the Maine House of Representatives enacted LD 684, sponsored by Rep. Valli Geiger, D-Rockland, which would direct the Maine Department of Education to review the critical components of the Educare model for publicly funded early child care and education programs. It would also identify necessary resources and best practices for statewide implementation.

• Read more about Maine House enacts Perry bill to give nursing homes flexibility in managing bed capacity

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted Thursday to enact a bill sponsored by Rep. Anne Perry, D-Calais, that would allow nursing homes more flexibility in managing occupancy at their facilities.

As amended, LD 938 would restore the ability for nursing homes to voluntarily reduce their number of licensed beds and then later increase the number of those beds to the prior level after obtaining state approval.

• Read more about Legislature gives final approval on Zager bill to improve renters' access to credit

AUGUSTA - The Maine House gave final approval this week on bipartisan legislation sponsored by Rep. Sam Zager, D-Portland, that would help low-income Mainers establish or improve credit through their rental payments.

• Read more about House enacts Malon bill to establish a green schools coordinator within the Department of Education

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted unanimously Thursday to enact LD 612, sponsored by Rep. Marc Malon, D-Biddeford, that would establish a green schools coordinator position within the Maine Department of Education. The position would assist department staff in establishing school facility priorities and work with school administrative units to improve building weatherization and make modifications compatible with renewable energy resources.

• Read more about House gives initial approval to Gramlich bill to protect the rights of sexual assault survivors

AUGUSTA - The Maine House gave initial approval on Thursday to a bill from Rep. Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, to protect the rights of sexual assault survivors. The measure was approved "under the hammer," or by unanimous consent.