AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted unanimously to advance a proposal on Thursday sponsored by Rep. Kevin O'Connell, D-Brewer, to establish a task force to review the work practices and treatment of pharmacists in Maine.
AUGUSTA - Rep. Michael Brennan, D-Portland, introduced two bills to address Maine's shortage of educational technicians before the Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee on Thursday.
AUGUSTA - A bill introduced by Rep. Kathy Shaw, D-Auburn, would establish a pathway for school districts around the state to implement outdoor experiential education programs.
AUGUSTA - Rep. Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, presented two proposals Thursday that seek to strengthen law enforcement education and training standards in Maine.
AUGUSTA - Rep. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, presented a bill on Thursday to address the shortage of ed techs and other school staff by raising their wages.
LD 955 would establish a minimum hourly wage for public school support staff beginning in 2024. The wage would be equal to 125% of the statewide minimum wage.
AUGUSTA - Rep. Cheryl Golek, D-Harpswell, presented legislation Thursday to improve student safety on school buses by requiring antipinch sensors on bus doors.
LD 62 would require all school buses in Maine to be equipped with technology that would prevent a school bus door from closing before a person has fully entered or exited the bus. In 2022, students in Auburn and Buxton were caught by their school bus doors and subsequently dragged down the road.
AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee voted Wednesday to unanimously advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, aimed at better supporting individuals with traumatic brain injury.
LD 539 would expand the options available at Maine's neurorehabilitation clinics to include counseling for substance use disorder, making the services provided more comprehensive.
AUGUSTA - Rep. Ed Crockett, D-Portland, presented LD 974, An Act to Establish Minimum Pay for Educational Technicians and Other School Support Staff, before the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee on Thursday. The bill would increase pay for educational technicians up to 133% of the state minimum wage and for other school support staff up to 125% of the state minimum wage beginning on Oct. 1, 2023.
AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday in support of LD 1256, sponsored by Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio, D-Sanford. The bill would increase access to oral health care by expanding the Maine Dental Education Loan Program to include dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental assistants and expanded function dental assistants.
AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Joint Select Committee on Housing voted unanimously, of those present, on Tuesday to advance LD 470 sponsored by Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, that would appropriate $1 million for the Maine State Housing Authority's lead abatement program.