AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Labor and Housing Committee unanimously voted Wednesday to advance a measure from Rep. Sue Salisbury, D-Westbrook, to support Maine veterans of the Lebanese Civil War and the U.S. military operations in Grenada during the 1980s.
AUGUSTA - Rep. Maggie O'Neil, D-Saco, introduced proposals on Monday that would protect Mainers privacy by restricting the ways that personal health data and other information is shared and accessed.
The first, LD 1902, would prohibit tech companies from selling users' sensitive health data, require them to obtain consent to collect health data and take steps to keep collected data secure, among other safeguards.
AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted unanimously last week to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Lydia Crafts, D-Newcastle, that would provide additional student debt relief for social workers to help grow the profession and improve mental health services in Maine.
AUGUSTA - The Maine Senate voted Thursday to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, that would provide Maine residents with the option of natural organic reduction for human remains.
AUGUSTA - The Maine House and Senate this week advanced LD 956, sponsored by Rep. Ambureen Rana, D-Bangor, which would require health care facilities to collect patient data related to sexual orientation and gender identity. While health care facilities would be required to incorporate sexual orientation and gender identity questions on their intake forms, patients are not required to answer them.
Rep. Tavis Hasenfus, D-Readfield, welcomed the Winthrop High School field hockey team to the State House Thursday.
The team was recognized by the entire House and Senate for winning the 2022 Class C State Championship, their second state title in two years.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Hasenfus], 305-965-2744
AUGUSTA - Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, introduced legislation this week before the Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee that would modernize Maines beverage container redemption laws, also known as the "Bottle Bill."
AUGUSTA - Rep. Holly Eaton, D-Deer Isle, has been appointed to serve on the Department of Marine Resources Zone C Lobster Management Policy Council by Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, and Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash.
Zone C encompasses the towns of Surry, Blue Hill, Brooklin, Sedgwick, Sargentville, Brooksville, Little Deer Isle, Deer Isle, Cape Rosier, Eagle Island, Stonington, Isle Au Haut, North Haven, Vinalhaven, Matinicus and Criehaven.
AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee voted Thursday to advance an amended version of LD 1520, a measure from Rep. Cheryl Golek, D-Harpswell, that would direct the Maine Department of Education and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to study the feasibility of placing child care facilities in schools. The vote was 6-4 in favor with three members absent.
AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Taxation Committee voted Thursday to advance a measure from Rep. Mo Terry, D-Gorham, to improve economic security for Maine children by establishing a state refundable child tax credit, expanding the tax credits available for parents and other households with dependents.