AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Jay McCreight, D-Harpswell, that will protect patients' access to abortion care goes into effect today.

AUGUSTA - A bill to protect public election officials in Maine, sponsored by Rep. Bruce White, D-Waterville, goes into effect today.

LD 1821 makes it a Class D crime to intentionally interfere by force, violence, intimidation or by any physical act with any public official who is performing an official function relating to a federal, state or municipal election. It further specifies that public officials include election officials, municipal clerks and registrars of voters.

AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Richard Evans, D-Dover-Foxcroft, that amends the law regarding expiration of disability plates and placards, goes into effect today, Monday, August 8.

LD 1762 amends the law so that an applicant is not required to continue to provide proof of disability upon renewal of the applicant's disability plate or placard. In addition, a disability plate or placard may be renewed for a period of up to 6 years.

AUGUSTA - Legislation to promote the use of post-consumer recycled plastic content in beverage containers, sponsored by Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, will go into effect Monday, August 8.

LD 1467 creates a minimum post-consumer recycled content requirement (PCR) for all plastic beverage containers sold in Maine beginning with 25% PCR by 2026 and increasing to 30% PCR by 2031.

AUGUSTA - On Monday, August 8, two key bills that support workforce development, particularly within the renewable energy industry, will go into effect. Both bill were sponsored by Rep. Scott Cuddy, D-Winterport.

AUGUSTA - Legislation to increase the availability of intranasal naloxone in community and corrections settings, sponsored by Rep. Jan Dodge, D-Belfast, will go into effect Monday, August 8.

AUGUSTA - A new law sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, to codify green housing standards will go into effect Monday, August 8.

As amended, LD 1656 will increase Maine's energy-efficient affordable housing stock by requiring new construction projects funded by the Maine State Housing Authority to meet certain housing design standards and sustainability requirements.

AUGUSTA - On Monday, August 8, three key bills to protect employee benefits and enhance access to emergency medicine, sponsored by Rep. Amy Roeder, D-Bangor, will go into effect.

LD 225 requires employers to pay employees unused accrued vacation time upon the cessation of their employment. Employers with 10 or fewer employees and public employers, including the University of Maine System and the Maine Community College System, will not be subject to this new law.

AUGUSTA - On Thursday, all three Democratic leaders in the Maine House of Representatives shared supportive statements in response to news that Chipotle workers in Augusta are facing union-busting tactics. The closure announcement follows the crew filing a petition for a union election in late June. The Maine store was the first location where Chipotle workers began unionizing. Since then, organizing drives have begun in Michigan, New York, and elsewhere.

Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford:

AUGUSTA - Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, has been selected for the Council of State Government's 2022 Henry Toll Fellowship. She is one of just 48 chosen to participate in the fellowship, the nation's premier leadership development program for state officials.