• Read more about House advances Gramlich measure to provide justice to survivors of childhood sexual abuse

AUGUSTA - The Maine House voted Tuesday to advance a bill by Rep. Lori Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, that would help victims of childhood sexual abuse access justice. The bill earned initial approval with unanimous consent.

"As a kid, I knew I couldn't change what happened to me, but I also knew that, when I was a grown-up, I would do my best to make things better for others," said Gramlich. "As a social worker, I have worked my entire professional life to affect systemic change and to give voice to fellow survivors."

• Read more about House enacts Hepler bill to increase access to justice

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature unanimously enacted a measure Monday sponsored by Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, that would address the unmet needs of individuals who require an attorney but cannot access one in their community.

LD 978 would incentivize five attorneys, chosen by the Supreme Judicial Court, to practice law and perform pro bono legal services in underserved areas for at least five years through a nonrefundable credit of up to $6,000 each year.

• Read more about Legislature advances Zeigler bill to create "Green Bank"

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval Tuesday to a bill from Rep. Paige Zeigler, D-Montville, that would create the Maine Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator, commonly referred to as a "green bank." The Maine Senate voted in favor of the measure Wednesday.

• Read more about Supica bill to protect survivors of economic abuse signed into law

AUGUSTA - A measure to protect survivors of economic abuse from long-term consequences, LD 947, sponsored by Rep. Laura Supica, D-Bangor, was signed into law last week by Gov. Janet Mills.

• Read more about House advances Berry bill to create Pine Tree Power, replace CMP and Versant in bipartisan vote

AUGUSTA - The Maine House advanced a historic bill Tuesday sponsored by Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, to replace Central Maine Power and Versant with the Pine Tree Power Company, a consumer-owned electric utility.

The vote on LD 1708 was 76-64, earning support from Republican, Independent and Democratic lawmakers.

• Read more about House advances Morales bill to end pretextual traffic stops

AUGUSTA - A bill by Rep. Victoria Morales, D-South Portland, to end the law enforcement practice known as "pretextual traffic stops" earned initial approval Tuesday in the Maine House. The vote was 72-67.

• Read more about Doudera bill to ban sale of cosmetics tested on animals signed into law

AUGUSTA - A measure to ban the sale of cosmetics tested on animals, LD 1551, sponsored by Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, was signed into law last week by Gov. Janet Mills. The measure states that a manufacturer may not sell or offer to sell a cosmetic product that was developed or manufactured using animal testing on or after November 1, 2021.

• Read more about Doudera bill banning harmful pesticide signed into law

AUGUSTA - A measure to ban the use of chlorpyrifos, LD 316, sponsored by Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, was signed into law last week by Gov. Janet Mills.

• Read more about House and Senate pass Fay bill to address long-term care workforce issues

AUGUSTA - In initial votes, a bill sponsored by Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, to improve the pay of long-term care workers was unanimously supported by both the Maine House and Senate on Monday.

• Read more about Legislature advances bipartisan bill to codify longstanding Windham tradition

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature unanimously advanced a bipartisan measure Monday sponsored by Rep. Mark Bryant, D-Windham, to codify a longstanding Windham tradition of the town providing winter maintenance of designated private ways. The measure was co-sponsored by Rep. Patrick Corey, R-Windham, and Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham.