AUGUSTA - On Wednesday, Governor Mills signed LD 609, "Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions" from House Speaker Ryan Fecteau into law. The bill paves the way for more affordable housing in Maine. The bill will establish a commission to review barriers to producing more affordable housing in Maine.
AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Ralph Tucker, D-Brunswick, to reduce the future use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in Maine was signed into law Monday by Gov. Janet Mills.
HFCs are used in air conditioning, refrigeration equipment and insulation and are 100 to 1,000 times more potent as greenhouse gases than CO2.
"In our response to climate change, the reduction of HFCs is low-hanging fruit," said Tucker. "We will make a significant impact at a comparatively low cost with these HFC reductions."
AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature enacted a bill Tuesday sponsored by Rep. Richard Evans, D-Dover-Foxcroft, to establish the Maine Accidental Drug Overdose Death Review Panel. The panel will study the circumstances leading up to accidental overdose deaths and use the information gained to prevent future deaths.
AUGUSTA - A measure to improve health outcomes in the state sponsored by Rep. Denise Tepler, D-Topsham, was signed into law last week by Gov. Janet Mills.
LD 274 directs the Maine Health Data Organization (MHDO) to develop a methodology to collect and analyze data on health care disparities within Maine's racial and ethnic populations. The MHDO will report back their recommendations to the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Affairs Committee later this year.
AUGUSTA - A bipartisan measure to establish the Maine Services Fellow Program, LD 1010, sponsored by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, was signed into law last week by Gov. Janet Mills.
AUGUSTA - A measure that changes the educational requirements for behavioral health professionals who work with children, LD 1424, sponsored by Rep. Sue Salisbury, D-Westbrook, was passed in the Maine Legislature.
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."
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.
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.
