AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to advance two pieces of legislation sponsored by Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay, that would improve Maine's behavioral health programs for survivors and implement proactive steps to prevent sexual violence and exploitation.

The first measure would provide funding for Maine's sexual assault support centers, and the second measure would prevent the sexual exploitation of children.

AUGUSTA - At a public hearing Wednesday, conservation advocates and wildlife scientists urged the Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee to advance a measure from Rep. Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, that would protect endangered and threatened species from habitat loss.

AUGUSTA - Maine's population is aging, and the state's labor force participation rate has been shrinking. While businesses are struggling to find employees, Mainers are also struggling to pay for housing, groceries and child care all necessities that help keep workers in the labor market. House Democrats are committed to supporting our local industries and empowering a workforce that represents Maine today.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Dan Ankeles, D-Brunswick, rallied support from local leaders Tuesday at a public hearing on his legislation to develop a long-range plan for replacing aging infrastructure on the former Brunswick Naval Air Station, commonly known as Brunswick Landing.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Amy Roeder, D-Bangor, introduced legislation Tuesday to prohibit employer surveillance, unless the surveillance is strictly necessary for employee health and safety or the security of the employer.

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's State and Local Government Committee voted Tuesday to advance a measure from Rep. Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, that would name the Pink-edged Sulphur the state butterfly. The vote was unanimous among those present.

Gramlich introduced the bill after she was contacted by students Oscar Stanton and Tate Graham last fall. The two fifth-graders at Loranger Middle School wrote to suggest the Legislature name a state butterfly.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, introduced legislation Tuesday that 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 immigrants from the current $700 to $1,000.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Michael Brennan, D-Portland, introduced legislation Monday that would provide $1 million over the next two years to help towns meet their ash tree conservation needs.

Maine's ash tree population, with the exception of the mountain ash, has been subjected to disease and death due to the spreading of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB), a beetle native to northeastern Asia that feeds on ash species.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Lydia Crafts, D-Newcastle, introduced legislation Monday before the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee to encourage safe and recovery friendly workplace (RFW) environments in Maine.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Colleen Madigan, D-Waterville, introduced legislation Monday that would create a substance use disorder hotline for health care providers.

LD 162 would require the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a hotline staffed by medical professionals that would offer assistance to health care providers seeking guidance in the treatment of patients with substance use disorder.