AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee voted Monday to advance a measure by Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, that would incorporate African American studies into Maine's statewide learning standards. The bill was amended to include proposals brought forth by Sen. Louie Luchini, D-Ellsworth, to also require the study of genocide and the Holocaust. The vote was 11-1.

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature's Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business (IDEA) approved a bill to recruit and retain Maines child care workforce from Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford by a vote of 10-1 on Tuesday, with two members absent.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Jay McCreight, D-Harpswell, will update members of Congress Wednesday on how the Sea Grant program has enabled climate resiliency projects along Maine's coast. The 1 p.m. panel discussion will include McCreight and three other speakers from around the country.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, has sponsored a bill, LD 1373, to protect all of Maine's students from the use of restraint and exclusion in schools. The Legislature's Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs voted to advance the bill as amended last week.

AUGUSTA - Today, Gov. Janet T. Mills announced new COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, loosening social distancing measures and other restrictions in the wake of increased vaccinations and stabilizing COVID-19 case numbers. The new protocols will take effect on May 24.

In response, Senate President Troy Jackson and House Speaker Ryan Fecteau released the following statement:

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee gave strong bipartisan approval Thursday to a measure from Rep. Chris Kessler, D-South Portland, that would accelerate Maine's efforts to weatherize homes and businesses and increase the number of low-income households that would qualify for weatherization assistance. The vote was 11-1 with one member absent.

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services advanced LD 1586, a measure to strengthen statewide mental health services, on Tuesday.

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government unanimously passed an amended version of LD 1073, sponsored by Sen. Stewart, R-Presque Isle, and co-sponsored by Rep. Kyle Bailey, D-Gorham, on Wednesday.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Ben Collings, D-Portland, introduced a measure to roll back tax breaks on Maine's wealthiest estates Thursday in a public hearing before the Legislatures Taxation Committee.

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services advanced LD 1586, a measure to strengthen statewide mental health services, on Tuesday.