AUGUSTA - The Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety voted unanimously Wednesday to advance a bill to support Maine's emergency responders and their loved ones by formally recognizing death by suicide within these professions as a death while in the line of duty.
AUGUSTA - Rep. Lydia Crafts, D-Newcastle, introduced legislation on Tuesday before the Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee that would help Maine address its youth mental health crisis.
LD 829, following an amendment offered by Rep. Crafts at the public hearing, would take three important steps towards improving behavioral health support in public schools.
Rep. Kevin O'Connell, D-Brewer, presents a legislative sentiment and coin to Brewer Ice Hockey captain Jed Gilpatrick in recognition of Gilpatrick being named Player of the Year by the Class B North Coaches Association.
Contact:
Brian Lee [O'Connell], c. 305-965-2744
AUGUSTA - Rep. Sean Paulhus, D-Bath, reintroduced legislation today to adopt Maine's original flag from 1901 as the state's official flag.
The flag, an image of a blue-colored north star over a lone pine tree on a buff-colored background, was the official flag of Maine from 1901 until 1909, when it was replaced by Maine's current flag.
Rep. Jane Pringle, D-Windham, and Rep. Barbara Bagshaw, R-Windham, welcomed to the State House on Tuesday Pastor Joel McPherson, who performed the opening prayer, and his wife Melanie McPherson, who performed the national anthem. They are members of the Tree of Life Church in Windham.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Pringle], c. 305-965-2744
John Bott [Bagshaw], 207-287-2919
Left to right: Rep. Barbara Bagshaw, Melanie McPherson, Pastor Joel McPherson and Rep. Jane Pringle.
Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, was joined at the State House on Tuesday by Sophie Piconi, a constituent and Executive Director of Central and Mid-Coast Maine's Red Cross.
March 2023 was recognized by the Maine Legislature as American Red Cross Month.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Doudera], c. 305-965-2744
Left to right: Sophie Piconi and Rep. Vicki Doudera.
AUGUSTA - Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio, D-Sanford, introduced legislation Wednesday that would direct the University of Maine System to establish a dental therapy degree program at the University of Maine at Augusta.
AUGUSTA - Rep. Amy Roeder, D-Bangor, introduced legislation Thursday to allow employees to request flexible work schedules without retaliation from their employers.
"While employers do not have to agree to a flexible work schedule request, they should not be allowed to discipline those who are just trying to balance work alongside their many responsibilities, including finding child care and caring for loved ones who are ill," said Roeder.
AUGUSTA - Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay, presented two pieces of legislation Monday at a public hearing before the Legislature's Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee that would provide funding for Maines sexual assault support centers and prevent the sexual exploitation of children.
Together, these measures would improve Maine's behavioral health programs for survivors and implement proactive steps to prevent sexual violence and exploitation.
AUGUSTA - On Friday, the Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee approved a continuing services budget. The vote was unanimous among present members. The budget measure - LD 424, "An Act Making Certain Appropriations and Allocations and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government" goes before the Legislature for a vote next week.
