AUGUSTA - The Maine House unanimously voted Tuesday to advance LD 287, An Act to Support Parents by Providing a Sales Tax Exemption for Diapers. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Kelly Noonan Murphy, D-Scarborough.

The bill was amended in the House to include a sales tax exemption for adult diapers. Under the amended proposal, all diapers and diaper accessories, such as covers and pins, would receive the exemption.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay, presented LD 1512 Tuesday at a public hearing before the Judiciary Committee. This legislation, commonly known as "Bentley's Law," would require intoxicated drivers who kill the parent of a minor to pay a court-determined amount of restitution until the child is 18 years old.

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee voted unanimously, of those present, Thursday to advance a measure from Rep. Kathy Shaw, D-Auburn, that would support Maine schools in establishing outdoor experiential education programs.

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, that would require expert witnesses in child custody cases to meet training standards and demonstrate knowledge of domestic abuse and child resilience, safety and security.

AUGUSTA - The Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics named Rep. Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, 2023 Legislator of the Year.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, introduced LD 1783 before the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee on Monday that would implement recommendations from the Governor's Advisory Council on Military Sexual Trauma and take additional steps to support survivors of sexual assault and harassment within the Maine National Guard.

AUGUSTA - Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, appointed Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich to serve on the Surface Water Ambient Toxics Monitoring Program (SWAT) as one of two legislators on the Technical Advisory Group.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Karen Montell, D-Gardiner, joined Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, Maine Bureau of Highway Safety Director Lauren Stewart and Pat Moody of AAA Northern New England last week to discuss the dangers of distracted driving.

Contact:

Brian Lee [Montell], c. 305-965-2744
Emily Cook [Bellows], c. 207-441-0405

Photo:Rep. Karen Montell speaks at a press conference on Thursday about the dangers of distracted driving.

AUGUSTA - Today, House Democrats introduced four pieces of legislation to protect and expand access to abortion care in Maine.

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Committee on Health and Human Services voted unanimously Wednesday to advance LD 11, sponsored by Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, which would help protect children and families from lead hazards in their homes.