{"id":5501,"date":"2019-01-25T14:08:02","date_gmt":"2019-01-25T19:08:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/?page_id=5501"},"modified":"2022-05-26T11:30:53","modified_gmt":"2022-05-26T15:30:53","slug":"legislature-roundup","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/","title":{"rendered":"Maine Legislature Roundup"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22.3&#8243; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/50872941_614833645622897_5952911417710477312_n-2-1.jpg&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;48px|0px|23px|0px|false|false&#8221; next_background_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title meta=&#8221;off&#8221; featured_image=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|600||on|||||&#8221; title_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; 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header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; background_pattern_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0.2)&#8221; background_mask_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"#FINAL\">Bills that Passed or Died<\/a>\u00a0| <a href=\"#SPEEDDIAL\">Call My Legislators<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/civic-dashboard\/#STATE\">Contact Other State Offices<\/a> | <a href=\"#FAQ\">Legislative FAQ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; 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header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; background_pattern_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0.2)&#8221; background_mask_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><em>The Second Regular Session of the 130th Maine Legislature adjourned May 9, 2022. Suit Up Maine tracked more than 65 bills during the session, in collaboration with other grassroots groups, legislators, and statewide advocacy organizations. Read on for more details and to find out where the bills landed.\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row module_class=&#8221; et_pb_row_fullwidth&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; background_size=&#8221;contain&#8221; width=&#8221;89%&#8221; width_tablet=&#8221;80%&#8221; width_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; max_width=&#8221;89%&#8221; max_width_tablet=&#8221;80%&#8221; max_width_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;15px|||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; make_fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; custom_width_px=&#8221;1522px&#8221; column_structure=&#8221;1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4&#8243;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_blurb admin_label=&#8221;what&#8217;s new in 2021&#8243; title=&#8221;What&#8217;s new in 2022?&#8221; image=&#8221;https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2022-whats-new.png&#8221; 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body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">For the immediate future, the Legislature will conduct much of its business via Zoom, including public hearings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The public can still testify, but you must register no later than 30 minutes before the hearing begins. Register and submit your testimony electronically <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/testimony\/\">HERE<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">You can also submit testimony\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/testimony\/\">online<\/a><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"> and watch the hearings via each committee&#8217;s <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/mainestatelegislature\">YouTube channel<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">When the full Legislature is in session, you can watch Senate sessions <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/Audio\/#senate_chamber\">HERE<\/a><\/span> and House sessions <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/Audio\/#house_chamber\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">HERE<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Check out our <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"#FAQ\">FAQ<\/a><\/span> below for instructions for submitting testimony on a bill.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; 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body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; image_icon_width_tablet=&#8221;101px&#8221; border_width_all_image_tablet=&#8221;25&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Want to submit testimony for a bill? Check out our <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"#FAQ\">FAQ<\/a><\/span> below\u00a0for instructions!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #00417f;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><b>Public hearings for the session have concluded.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_blurb admin_label=&#8221;Imminent votes&#8221; title=&#8221;Upcoming Votes&#8221; image=&#8221;https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/maine-senate.jpg&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; header_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; vertical_offset_tablet=&#8221;0&#8243; horizontal_offset_tablet=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_image_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_image_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_image_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_image_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; image_icon_width_tablet=&#8221;101px&#8221; border_width_all_image_tablet=&#8221;25&#8243; background_pattern_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0.2)&#8221; background_mask_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">The 130th Maine Legislature has adjourned. The next session will begin in December 2022.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Speed dial&#8221; module_id=&#8221;SPEEDDIAL&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.27.4&#8243; text_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; header_font=&#8221;|600||on|||||&#8221; header_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px|15px|20px|15px&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;4px&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"widgettitle\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Maine Legislature Speed Dial<\/h2>\n<div class=\"textwidget\">\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Maine House:<\/span><\/strong><br \/><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">1-800-423-2900 (leave a voicemail)<b><br \/><\/b>(207) 287-1400 (speak to staff)<br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>Maine Senate:<\/strong><\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">1-800-423-6900\u00a0(leave a voicemail)<\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">(207) 287-1540\u00a0(speak to staff)<b><br \/><\/b>TTY: Use Maine Relay 711<\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><b>Legislative Information Office:<\/b><\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">207-287-1692<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Not sure who your legislators are? Find them\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #efb217;\"><a style=\"color: #efb217;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/portal\/government\/edemocracy\/voter_lookup.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5820\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/light-bulb-orange\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"256,256\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"light-bulb-orange\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"wp-image-5820 alignleft size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?resize=35%2C35&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"35\" height=\"35\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?w=256&amp;ssl=1 256w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 35px) 100vw, 35px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> Leave messages at the numbers above with your your name and town, your legislators&#8217; names, a bill number, and how you&#8217;d like them to vote. Messages are transcribed and delivered to legislators&#8217; desks throughout the day.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5820\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/light-bulb-orange\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"256,256\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"light-bulb-orange\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"wp-image-5820 alignleft size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?resize=35%2C35&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"35\" height=\"35\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?w=256&amp;ssl=1 256w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 35px) 100vw, 35px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><br \/><strong>Pro Tip: <\/strong>Emails from constituents are particularly persuasive. Find email addresses <span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #efb217;\"><a style=\"color: #efb217;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/portal\/government\/edemocracy\/voter_lookup.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row module_class=&#8221; et_pb_row_fullwidth&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; background_size=&#8221;contain&#8221; width=&#8221;89%&#8221; width_tablet=&#8221;80%&#8221; width_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; max_width=&#8221;89%&#8221; max_width_tablet=&#8221;80%&#8221; max_width_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;15px|||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0|0px|0|0px|false|false&#8221; make_fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; custom_width_px=&#8221;1522px&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; 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_builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; background_size=&#8221;contain&#8221; width=&#8221;89%&#8221; width_tablet=&#8221;80%&#8221; width_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; max_width=&#8221;89%&#8221; max_width_tablet=&#8221;80%&#8221; max_width_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;15px|||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0|0px|0|0px|false|false&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; make_fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; custom_width_px=&#8221;1522px&#8221; column_structure=&#8221;3_4,1_4&#8243;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Bills that passed or died&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; vertical_offset_tablet=&#8221;0&#8243; 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box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; text_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; text_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; link_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; link_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; link_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; background_pattern_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0.2)&#8221; background_mask_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"FINAL\"><span style=\"color: #efb217;\">BILLS THAT PASSED<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Most of the bills we supported passed the Legislature during the 130th session, which began in December 2019 and continues until the end of April 2022. Read on for updates on our legislative successes!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1727\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"12411\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/275188944_4901025476641997_54416565096173543_n\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/275188944_4901025476641997_54416565096173543_n.jpg?fit=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1536,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"275188944_4901025476641997_54416565096173543_n\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/275188944_4901025476641997_54416565096173543_n.jpg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/275188944_4901025476641997_54416565096173543_n.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-12411\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/275188944_4901025476641997_54416565096173543_n.jpg?resize=114%2C114&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"114\" height=\"114\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Preventing sexual assault on Maine\u2019s college campuses.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280080971&amp;emci=df6c86b1-1f9e-ec11-a22a-281878b85110&amp;emdi=8e2e95b6-239e-ec11-a22a-281878b85110&amp;ceid=2596013\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1727, An Act Concerning Sexual Misconduct on College Campuses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/District-1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Aroostook)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This legislation, written by Maine students and sexual assault surivors, would enact comprehensive measures to combat sexual violence and support survivors at all colleges and universities in Maine. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nsvrc.org\/sites\/default\/files\/publications_nsvrc_factsheet_media-packet_statistics-about-sexual-violence_0.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to 95%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of sexual assault survivors don\u2019t report the attacks, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ojp.gov\/pdffiles1\/nij\/grants\/219181.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">citing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> fear of retaliation or punishment for their own alcohol or drug use and a lack of knowledge about options available to them. Studies also suggest that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aau.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/AAU-Files\/Key-Issues\/Campus-Safety\/Revised%20Aggregate%20report%20%20and%20appendices%201-7_(01-16-2020_FINAL).pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">less than 50%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of survivors receive support services after their assault. Even though national statitistics found that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealth.gov\/relationships-and-safety\/sexual-assault-and-rape\/college-sexual-assault\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 in 5 women<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in college experience sexual assault, 52% of colleges and universities across Maine reported <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\/data-center\/school\/clery-act-reports\/clery-by-year\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">zero cases<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of rape on campus. LD 1727 would address these issues by requiring schools to form partnerships with rape crisis centers to provide free medical and legal support services and mandating that each institution have at least one confidential resource advisor to provide students with information on reporting options. Schools would also have to create amnesty policies that protect survivors and bystanders from punishment for use of alcohol or drugs or other code violations at the time of the assault. The bill mandates annual sexual misconduct prevention programs for students and employees and creates a task force to work on higher education institution\u2019s climate surveys, which must be conducted biennially and be reported publicly. Learn more in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1BePZm0J-7vzoMMgYFu8oBPZ86SIddjqM3xDRKKG6prk\/edit?usp=sharing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this toolkit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Every Voice Coalition-Maine. The Education and Cultural Affairs Committee held a public hearing March 8 and voted that the bill Ought to Pass. (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1727&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">Read the public testimony.<\/a>)\u00a0<br \/><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW:<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The bill passed overwhelmingly in the Senate (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1727&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">see how your legislators voted<\/a>) and in the House under the hammer (no recall) and was signed into law by the governor!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\">\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD906\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"12393\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/passamaquoddywater1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/PassamaquoddyWater1.jpg?fit=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1536,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"PassamaquoddyWater1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/PassamaquoddyWater1.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/PassamaquoddyWater1.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-12393\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/PassamaquoddyWater1.jpg?resize=120%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Clean drinking water for the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik. <\/b><\/span><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079364\">LD 906, An Act To Provide Passamaquoddy Tribal Members Access to Clean Drinking Water<\/a>. Sponsor: <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/1193\">Rep. Rena Newell (Passamaquoddy Tribe)<\/a>.<br \/><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This legislation would <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">finally bring clean drinking water to the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik after a <a href=\"https:\/\/mainebeacon.com\/tribal-leaders-seek-to-end-decades-long-ordeal-bring-clean-water-to-pleasant-point\/\">40-year struggle<\/a> to address contamination in the water supply from the Passamaquoddy Water District (PWD). The PWD, which provides drinking water to the <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik and neighboring Eastport,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> sources water from the Boyden Reservoir, which is fed by a lake. Water quality is affected by d<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ecomposing organic matter that settles on the bottom of the lake affects water quality and disturbances by wind, rain and agricultural runoff. Water pumped from the reservoir has been consistently tainted by bad odor, poor taste, and discoloration and tests in 2018 and 2019 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found dangerously high levels of trihalomethanes (THMs), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dhhs\/mecdc\/environmental-health\/dwp\/sitemap\/dbp.shtml\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">toxic chemicals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that form when chlorine used to clean the water breaks down. THMs are a known carcinogen and long-term exposure can cause liver, kidney and central nervous system problems and an increased risk of cancer.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to restrictions in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/legis\/lawlib\/lldl\/indianclaims\/index.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1980 Settlement Acts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the Passamaquoddy Tribe is unable to fully utilize federal funds and remediation resources, assistance that is available to all federally recognized tribes except the four Wabanaki tribes in Maine. The tribe has taken a number of steps over the years to address the problem, but a permanent fix is needed to ensure sustained access to a safe drinking water. <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 906<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will remove jurisdictional roadblocks and provide more long-term solutions to this public health threat by exempting the PWD from property taxes, aligning it with all the other water districts in Maine and providing extra revenue to address water quality challenges; allowing the tribe to access fee lands already in its possession that are near the Pleasant Point Reservation, where new wells have already been dug; and removing restrictions in the Settlement Acts, giving the Passamaquoddy Tribe an opportunity to build capacity for safe drinking water and to regulate its own drinking water under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act in coordination with the EPA. The Judiciary Committee held a public hearing Feb. 17, with almost all the written and oral testimony in support of the legislation. (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=906&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">Read the public testimony.<\/a>) The committee split its vote on the bill, but sent forward a report in support of its passage. On Monday, April 11, hundreds of bill supporters held\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/wabanakialliance.com\/ld906-rally\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a rally<\/a> in Augusta to call on legislators to pass the measure. Later that week, the House and Senate approved the bill with veto-proof margins. Gov. Mills then indicated she would sign it upon inclusion of some clarifying language that will not alter the bill. The Sipayik Tribal Government agreed to add the language, and the bill was sent back to the Legislature for a vote. Learn more about the bill in <a href=\"https:\/\/wabanakialliance.com\/clean-water\/\">this action from the Wabanaki Alliance<\/a>.<br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW:<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The House and Senate voted overwhelmingly to approve the bill (<a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079364\">see how your legislators voted<\/a>) and Gov. Mills has signed it into law!\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"LD1722\"><span style=\"color: #00417f;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11866\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/juan-fernandez-ochoa\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Juan-Fernandez-Ochoa.png?fit=1800%2C1599&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1800,1599\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Juan Fernandez Ochoa\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Juan-Fernandez-Ochoa.png?fit=300%2C267&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Juan-Fernandez-Ochoa.png?fit=1024%2C910&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11866\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Juan-Fernandez-Ochoa.png?resize=120%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Juan-Fernandez-Ochoa.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Juan-Fernandez-Ochoa.png?zoom=2&amp;resize=120%2C120&amp;ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Juan-Fernandez-Ochoa.png?zoom=3&amp;resize=120%2C120&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 120px) 100vw, 120px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>E<\/span>stablishing the Opioid and Substance Use Abatement Fund.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280080952\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1722, An Act To Ensure Access to All Paths to Recovery for Persons Affected by Opioids Using Money Obtained through Litigation against Opioid Manufacturers (EMERGENCY)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/43\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Charlotte Warren (D-Hallowell)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would require that all funds awarded to the state through any opioid litigation and settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors be deposited into a new Opioid and Substance Use Abatement Fund to be used to address Maine\u2019s substance use crisis through prevention, intervention, treatment,and recovery. All states except Nebraska have filed <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/health-shots\/2019\/10\/15\/761537367\/your-guide-to-the-massive-and-massively-complex-opioid-litigation\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">state and\/or federal lawsuits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> against companies involved in opioid drug production, including opioid manufacturers and distributors. At least one of those suits, has already resulted in a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/ag\/news\/article.shtml?id=4091299\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$573 million settlement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to be divided among all plaintiffs with a consulting firm for its role in working with opioid companies to perpetuate the epidemic. Maine received $3.1 million from this action, the first multi-state lawsuit to result in substantial payments to states. LD 1722 would ensure that funds from lawsuits awarded to Maine are only spent on the substance use crisis. Decisions about fund expenditures would be made by a new Maine Opioid and Substance Use Abatement Advisory Commission made up of stakeholders, including consumers, providers, families, advocates, public health and addiction professionals, and individuals with expertise in systemic racism and structural health inequity. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.astho.org\/StatePublicHealth\/How-States-are-Preparing-for-Opioid-Settlement-Funds\/01-27-21\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At least five other states<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have introduced similar legislation to govern how funds from settlements or court decisions are spent. The Committee on Health and Human Services held a public hearing May 21 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1722&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the testimony<\/a>) and held a work session on May 26. The bill was carried over to the current session. After a work session March 3, the committee voted that the bill ought to pass as amended.\u00a0\u00a0<br \/><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW:<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed unanimously in the House and Senate and was signed into law by the governor!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1639\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"12150\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/juniper-ridge-landfill\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/juniper-ridge-landfill.jpg?fit=1000%2C667&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1000,667\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"juniper ridge landfill\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/juniper-ridge-landfill.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/juniper-ridge-landfill.jpg?fit=1000%2C667&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-12150\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/juniper-ridge-landfill.jpg?resize=121%2C121&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"121\" height=\"121\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Ban out-of-state toxic waste.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?paper=SP0523&amp;SessionID=14\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1639, An Act To Protect the Health and Welfare of Maine Communities and Reduce Harmful Solid Waste.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sponsor: <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/senate\/district-29\/9555\">Sen. Anne Carney (D-Cumberland)<\/a>.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would close a loophole in Maine law that allows disposal of out-of-state waste, including hazardous construction and demolition debris, in state-owned landfills intended solely for waste generated in Maine. This loophole classifies waste as \u201cin-state\u201d <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">if it makes a pit stop at one of Maine\u2019s waste processing facilities, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">regardless of its place of origin. Casella Waste Systems, the private company that operates the state-owned Juniper Ridge Landfill in Old Town, has used the loophole to accept tons of out-of-state toxic waste. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2019, one recycling business sent <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2021\/01\/07\/maine-regulators-deny-request-to-ban-out-of-state-waste\/#coral_talk_stream\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more than 220,000 tons of waste<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the landfill, 90% of which came from outside Maine. Overall, an <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">estimated <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dep\/waste\/juniperridge\/documents\/2017amendment\/2018_03_22%20Corrected%20version%20Spencer%20Additional%20JRL%20Comments.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">40% of the waste<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> buried there comes from out of state. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a result, that landfill has become a dumping ground for toxic waste that threatens to contaminate the area\u2019s drinking water supply and cause damage to sites of historical, cultural, spiritual significance for the Penobscot Nation.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closing the loophole will <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">button-up gaps in current law and prevent ongoing disposal of out-of-state toxic waste in Maine. Learn more from fact sheets and other resources created by the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/protectmaine.org\/assets\/factsheets\/Out-of-State-Waste-2021-Factsheet.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Environmental Priorities Coalition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nrcm.salsalabs.org\/juniperridgelandfill\/index.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Natural Resources Council of Maine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maineconservation.org\/lunchnlearn\/talking-trash-protecting-our-communities-and-closing-the-toxic-out-of-state-waste-loophole\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine Conservation Voters<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a public hearing May 17 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1639&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the testimony<\/a>). After two work sessions, the committee voted that the bill Ought to Pass.\u00a0<br \/><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\">THE BILL IS LAW: <\/span><\/b>The bill received overwhelming support in the Legislature (<a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280080698\">see how your legislators voted<\/a>) and was signed into law by the governor!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"LD1559\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"12107\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/square-blue\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/square-blue.png?fit=800%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"800,800\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"square-blue\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/square-blue.png?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/square-blue.png?fit=800%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-12107 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/square-blue.png?resize=120%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Paid Family and Medical Leave.<\/b><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?paper=SP0501&amp;SessionID=14\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1559, Resolve, To Create the Commission To Develop a Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (Emergency)<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/District-24\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sponsor: Sen. Matthea Daughtry<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (D-Cumberland).<br \/><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The U.S. is the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pewresearch.org\/fact-tank\/2019\/12\/16\/u-s-lacks-mandated-paid-parental-leave\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">only industrialized nation<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in the world without a paid family leave system, even though<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pewsocialtrends.org\/2017\/03\/23\/americans-widely-support-paid-family-and-medical-leave-but-differ-over-specific-policies\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">85 percent of Americans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> support the idea. Legislators are proposing a bill to create a commission to study options for a paid family and medical leave (PFML) system in Maine and draft a plan to implement it. Under a similar law in California, one of<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shrm.org\/resourcesandtools\/legal-and-compliance\/state-and-local-updates\/pages\/will-paid-family-leave-be-available-in-more-states.aspx\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">five states<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with PFML, 87% of employers report<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nationalpartnership.org\/our-work\/resources\/workplace\/paid-leave\/paid-leave-good-for-business.pdf\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">no increased costs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a result of their paid leave program, and 9% report decreased employee turnover. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jec.senate.gov\/public\/_cache\/files\/646d2340-dcd4-4614-ada9-be5b1c3f445c\/jec-fact-sheet---economic-benefits-of-paid-leave.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studies suggest<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">paid family leave reduces the financial burden of illness, boosts worker morale and productivity, and supports economic growth. PFML also encourages parent-infant bonding, promotes breast feeding, and is associated with a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3150137\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10% drop in infant mortality<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In Maine, Black Mainers and women are more likely to work frontline jobs where they have less access to benefits. Women are also more likely to be primary caregivers, and to leave the workforce to care for family. A system of paid leave in Maine would<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainefamilyleave.com\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reduce these inequities<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and ensure working Mainers don\u2019t have to choose between a paycheck and caring for loved ones. Mainers provide more than $2 billion in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/content\/dam\/aarp\/ppi\/2019\/11\/valuing-the-invaluable-2019-update-charting-a-path-forward.doi.10.26419-2Fppi.00082.001.pdf\">unpaid caregiving<\/a> every year and 1 in 7 low-wage workers in Maine have <a href=\"http:\/\/www.oxfamamerica.org\/files\/low-wage-worker-report-oxfam-america.pdf.\">lost their jobs<\/a> due to an illness, injury, or family caregiving needs. PFML is popular nationwide and in Maine, with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainefamilyleave.com\/the-facts\/\">75.5% of Mainers in favor<\/a>. LD 1559 would create a commission to create a plan to implement PFML for Maine. Learn more about the bill from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainefamilyleave.com\/the-facts\/\">Maine Paid Leave Coalition<\/a>. The Committee on Labor and Housing held a public hearing May 7 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/ctl\/LBHS\/05-07-2021?panel=1&amp;time=0&amp;sortdir=0&amp;sortby=2\">read the testimony<\/a>) and voted the resolution Ought to Pass with broad, tri-partisan support. <br \/><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\">PASSED.<\/span><\/strong> The resolution passed the Senate 23-11, with 2 Republicans joining all Democrats voting in favor, and passed 82-60, with 1 Republican joining all Democrats and independents voting in favor <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280080500\">(see how your legislator voted)<\/a> and was signed by the governor!\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"LD1652\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"12127\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/clipart-baby-building-block-15\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/clipart-baby-building-block-15.png?fit=800%2C606&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"800,606\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"clipart-baby-building-block-15\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/clipart-baby-building-block-15.png?fit=300%2C227&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/clipart-baby-building-block-15.png?fit=800%2C606&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-12127 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/clipart-baby-building-block-15.png?resize=147%2C111&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"147\" height=\"111\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1712\"><span style=\"color: #00417f;\"> E<\/span>xpanding child care in rural Maine.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280080718\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1712, An Act To Support Children&#8217;s Healthy Development and School Success<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/District-1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Aroostook)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would create a pilot project to expand and enhance available <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2020\/01\/17\/bill-to-expand-access-to-child-care-unveiled-in-waterville\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">quality child care<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Maine <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">by creating the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rightfromthestartmaine.org\/first4me\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First 4 ME Early Care and Education Program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, run by DHHS, to provide comprehensive, high-quality care for at-risk children under age 6 who are not in kindergarten. The project would increase the number of child care slots in Maine by creating up to 5 pilot child care programs sponsored and led by stakeholders in the communities they serve. The programs would expand existing facilities and provide coaching and additional provider support. Funding for the project would come from grants and private donations in addition to state and federal funds. The legislation is supported by a number of child advocacy groups, including Maine Children\u2019s Alliance, Maine Head Start Association, and Maine Association for the Education of Young Children. A similar bill was introduced last year received wide support, but died when the Legislature adjourned early due to the pandemic. The Committee on Health and Human Services held a public hearing May 20 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1712&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the testimony<\/a>) and voted that the bill Ought to Pass. <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW.<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed in the Senate on a voice vote (no roll call) and in the House 84-56 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280080718\">see how your legislator voted<\/a>) and was signed into law by the governor.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11888\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/virus-outbreak-maine-unemployment\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Virus-Outbreak-Maine-Unemployment.jpg?fit=2500%2C1667&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2500,1667\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;AP&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1D X Mark II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;A sign announces a coronavirus closure at a flower shop in Jay, Maine, Thursday, April 16, 2020. A massive explosion at the nearby Androscoggin Mill on Wednesday threatens to add further unemployment to a region already hurt by coronavirus-related job losses. (AP Photo\\\/Robert F. Bukaty)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1586995200&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;14&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0015625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Virus Outbreak Maine Unemployment&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Virus Outbreak Maine Unemployment\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;A sign announces a coronavirus closure at a flower shop in Jay, Maine, Thursday, April 16, 2020. A massive explosion at the nearby Androscoggin Mill on Wednesday threatens to add further unemployment to a region already hurt by coronavirus-related job losses. (AP Photo\/Robert F. Bukaty)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Virus-Outbreak-Maine-Unemployment.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Virus-Outbreak-Maine-Unemployment.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11888 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Virus-Outbreak-Maine-Unemployment.jpg?resize=120%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Virus-Outbreak-Maine-Unemployment.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Virus-Outbreak-Maine-Unemployment.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=120%2C120&amp;ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Virus-Outbreak-Maine-Unemployment.jpg?zoom=3&amp;resize=120%2C120&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 120px) 100vw, 120px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1571\">Unemployment system reform.<\/b><\/span> <a style=\"font-size: 12pt;\" href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280080596\">LD 1571, An Act To Strengthen the Unemployment Insurance System To Better Serve Maine Workers<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Sponsor:<\/span> <\/span><a style=\"font-size: 12pt;\" href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/housedems\/fecteaur\/index.html\">Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford)<\/a><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">.<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>**See update below for new bill info.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This legislation seeks to address the problems created by an outdated state unemployment insurance (UI) system, which was <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2021\/03\/23\/house-speaker-fecteau-proposes-unemployment-system-overhaul-in-maine\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">unable to adequately support Mainers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who found themselves out of work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill will begin to address staffing challenges at the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL), a result of budget cuts during the LePage administration that have left the department with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2020\/05\/15\/opinion\/maines-unemployment-system-isnt-working-lets-fix-it\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">half of its 2010 headcount<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The legislation will modernize MDOL services and create a navigator system that leverages labor and community groups to help underserved workers access benefits more easily. Before the pandemic, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maineaflcio.org\/news\/help-us-fix-maines-unemployment-system\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">only 1 in 4 Maine workers qualified for unemployment insurance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a problem the legislation addresses by expanding eligibility for more people, including workers who are partially unemployed. LD 1571 supports families of unemployed parents by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maineaflcio.org\/news\/help-us-fix-maines-unemployment-system\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increasing supplemental benefits for dependent children<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the first time in two decades and provides a safety net for people forced to leave work due to the loss of child care, lack of transportation, or similar reasons. It also requires employers to file UI claims for workers impacted by a mass layoff or reduction in hours and penalizes them if they discourage a worker from applying for benefits. This bill was crafted based on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maineequaljustice.org\/site\/assets\/files\/2442\/3-9_2021_ui_report_final_-_v1.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">feedback from Mainers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with personal experience of the UI system during the pandemic, many of whom are freelance and gig workers, self-employed small business owners, independent contractors, and working poor who string together enough part-time work to make ends meet. Learn more about the bill from the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maineaflcio.org\/news\/help-us-fix-maines-unemployment-system\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine AFL-CIO<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Committee on Labor and Housing held a public hearing <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May 3 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1571&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the testimony<\/a>) and held two work sessions.<br \/><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">**UPDATE:<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Speaker Fecteau has combined his bill with another unemployment reform bill, <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280080543\">LD 1564<\/a>, sponsored by Sen. Eloise Vitelli (D-Sagadahoc), which <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainesenate.org\/sen-vitelli-introduces-bill-to-update-and-improve-maines-unemployment-insurance-program\/\">expands the reforms<\/a> even further. In addition to the reforms outlined above, LD 1564 also adds transportation, child care, and elder care as legitimate reasons for someone to have left employment through no fault of their own, leaving the eligible for unemployment insurance. Speaker Fecteau and Sen. Vitelli&#8217;s bill, LD 1564, received an Ought to Pass majority vote in committee. <br \/><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\">THE BILL IS LAW.<\/span><\/strong> The bill passed the Senate 22-12 and the House 80-51 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280080543\">see how your legislator voted<\/a>) and the governor <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainepublic.org\/business-and-economy\/2021-07-14\/new-bill-reforming-maines-unemployment-system-signed-into-law\">signed it into law<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"LD1503\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11887\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/no-pfas-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/no-pfas-2.jpg?fit=956%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"956,800\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"no-pfas-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/no-pfas-2.jpg?fit=300%2C251&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/no-pfas-2.jpg?fit=956%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11887\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/no-pfas-2.jpg?resize=120%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/no-pfas-2.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/no-pfas-2.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=120%2C120&amp;ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/no-pfas-2.jpg?zoom=3&amp;resize=120%2C120&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 120px) 100vw, 120px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Ban \u201cforever chemicals.\u201d<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280080415\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1503, An Act To Stop Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Pollution<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/1342\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Lori Gramlich (D-Old Orchard Beach)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would ban the use of toxic \u201cforever chemicals\u201d called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in carpets, rugs, and fabric treatments by 2023 and eliminate them in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/defendourhealth.org\/blog\/maine-legislation-pfas-in-products\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">almost all other products<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by 2030, unless the Department of Environmental Protection indicates their use is unavoidable. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PFAS comprise a class of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/2NFqXeP\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">approximately 5000 synthetic compounds<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> used in the manufacture of such items as cookware, food packaging, firefighting foam, and textiles (think Teflon and Scotchgard). These \u201cforever chemicals\u201d contribute to a number of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrdc.org\/sites\/default\/files\/toxic-drinking-water-pfas-contamination-fs.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">human health issues<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, and decreased fertility. PFAS are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrdc.org\/sites\/default\/files\/toxic-drinking-water-pfas-contamination-fs.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">difficult to contain and remediate<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and contaminate water through improper wastewater management in industrial facilities, including paper mills common throughout Maine, and through the spreading of industrial and municipal biosolids or \u201csludge\u201d as fertilizer on Maine\u2019s cropland and forestry lots. As of October 2019, the Maine DEP had more than 30,000 records for 28 different PFAS at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/pfastaskforce\/materials\/report\/PFAS-Task-Force-Report-FINAL-Jan2020.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">245 locations across the state<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Recently, 44 samples taken from farms and other facilities that distribute sludge <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/theintercept.com\/2019\/06\/07\/pfas-chemicals-maine-sludge\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contained at least one PFAS<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with all but two samples exceeding safety levels set by the state in 2019. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.saferstates.com\/toxic-chemicals\/pfas\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Six states<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> currently have enforceable drinking water standards and five other states, including Maine, are considering such standards. Nine other states have adopted guidance and\/or notification levels for PFAS in drinking water..\u00a0 Maine currently has guidance in this regard, but the proposed legislation would create more restrictions on PFAS use. Learn more about this bill in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/protectmaine.org\/assets\/factsheets\/PFAS_2021_Factsheet.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this fact sheet from the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Environmental Priorities Coalition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a public hearing May 3 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1503&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the public testimony<\/a>) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.centralmaine.com\/2021\/05\/12\/bill-requiring-disclosure-of-forever-chemicals-in-products-wins-committee-endorsement\/\">voted unanimously<\/a> that the bill Ought to Pass as amended. <br \/><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW.<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the House 121-2 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280080415\">see how your rep voted<\/a>) and Senate by voice vote (no roll call) and became law without the governor&#8217;s signature.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11497\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/early-vote-1-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/early-vote-1-1.jpg?fit=1645%2C1646&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1645,1646\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;16&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;BDN&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 5D Mark III&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;PORTLAND, MAINE -- 10\\\/05\\\/20 -- Cynthia Grier drops off hear absentee ballot at Portland City Hall on Monday. Poll workers reported a steady stream of early voters on the first day of early balloting. Troy R. Bennett | BDN&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1601856000&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;28&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1250&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"early-vote-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;PORTLAND, MAINE &#8212; 10\/05\/20 &#8212; Cynthia Grier drops off hear absentee ballot at Portland City Hall on Monday. Poll workers reported a steady stream of early voters on the first day of early balloting. Troy R. Bennett | BDN&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/early-vote-1-1.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/early-vote-1-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11497 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/early-vote-1-1.jpg?resize=121%2C121&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"121\" height=\"121\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/early-vote-1-1.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/early-vote-1-1.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/early-vote-1-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/early-vote-1-1.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/early-vote-1-1.jpg?resize=1536%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/early-vote-1-1.jpg?resize=1080%2C1081&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/early-vote-1-1.jpg?w=1645&amp;ssl=1 1645w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 121px) 100vw, 121px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD148\">Making absentee voting more accessible.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280078117\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 148, An Act to Establish Ongoing Absentee Voting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/63\">Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford)<\/a>. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would create an ongoing absentee voter option in Maine, allowing voters who sign up to receive an absentee ballot for all local, state, and federal elections without having to submit a request. According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eac.gov\/documents\/2017\/10\/17\/eavs-deep-dive-early-absentee-and-mail-voting-data-statutory-overview\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. Election Assistance Commission<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 57.2 million people voted early, absentee, or by mail in 2016, more than double the number in 2004. In Maine in 2016, one-third of all votes cast were made via absentee ballot. In 2020, absentee ballots accounted for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2020\/11\/25\/politics\/maines-2020-election-turnout-was-among-highest-in-us\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more than half<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the total. Federal law already allows <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brennancenter.org\/our-work\/research-reports\/mail-ballot-security-features-primer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">all overseas voters<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to request absentee ballots on an ongoing basis, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/research\/elections-and-campaigns\/vopp-table-3-states-with-permanent-absentee-voting-for-all-voters-voters-with-permanent-disabilities-and-or-senior-voters.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15 other states<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and Washington, D.C. offer some sort of permanent absentee voting option. Ongoing absentee voting is convenient for voters, with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/electionlab.mit.edu\/research\/voting-mail-and-absentee-voting\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">68% of voters<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in states with permanent absentee laws voted with an absentee ballot in 2018. Permanent absentee ballot voting also <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bipartisanpolicy.org\/report\/logical-election-policy\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reduces the number<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of absentee ballot requests elections officials must mail and process. And contrary to some claims, studies have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/policy2020\/votervital\/how-does-vote-by-mail-work-and-does-it-increase-election-fraud\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">found no evidence<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that absentee voting increases the risk of voter fraud or favors one party over another. LD 148 requires election clerks to match the signature on the back of an absentee ballot envelope with a voter\u2019s registration card and requires clerks to contact voters if there are any problems. Voters are removed from the permanent absentee voter list when they die, move to another town, ask to be removed, or if their voter status is marked inactive or cancelled. Ongoing absentee voter status would go into effect in 2023. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainepublic.org\/post\/bill-would-automatically-send-absentee-ballots-maine-voters-whove-gotten-them-past-elections\">public hearing<\/a> was held Feb. 8 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=148&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3\">read the testimony<\/a>) and has voted that the bill Ought to Pass as amended. The amended bill allows ongoing absentee ballot voter status only for people over 65 and those with a disability. Voters with this status who have not voted over multiple elections will be removed from the ongoing absentee ballot list. Under the amended version, Maine would join the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a nonprofit organization that works to improve the accuracy of voter roles. Participation with ERIC has long been a goal of the League of Women Voters of Maine. <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW.<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the House 80-57 and the Senate 21-12 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280078117\">see how your legislators voted<\/a>) and was signed into law, though not as LD 148. The provisions of this bill were incorporated into the bipartisan budget bill, LD 221, along with the funding to support it. The bill provides ongoing absentee voter status to voters aged 65 and over. It also stipulates that Maine will join the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) by January 1, 2023 for the purpose of sharing voter registration information with member states and using that information to update the central voter registration system.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1126\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11709\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/electregkey-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/electregkey-1.png?fit=301%2C301&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"301,301\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"electregkey\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/electregkey-1.png?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/electregkey-1.png?fit=301%2C301&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11709 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/electregkey-1.png?resize=110%2C110&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"110\" height=\"110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/electregkey-1.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/electregkey-1.png?w=301&amp;ssl=1 301w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 110px) 100vw, 110px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Create online voter registration.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?paper=HP0804&amp;SessionID=14\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1126, An Act To Update the Voter Registration Process<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/130\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Teresa Pierce (D-Falmouth)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With this bill, Maine would join<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/research\/elections-and-campaigns\/electronic-or-online-voter-registration.aspx\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">40 other states<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and Washington, D.C. in offering online voter registration (OVR). Studies show that OVR reduces barriers for voting, costs less than paper registration, and increases opportunities for participation\u2014especially among people of color and young voters. A study of<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanprogress.org\/issues\/democracy\/reports\/2018\/07\/11\/453319\/increasing-voter-participation-america\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Georgia\u2019s online registration system<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found that 71% of people who registered online turned out to vote, compared with a turnout rate of just 48%-52% among those who registered by mail or in-person. After<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/scholars.org\/contribution\/many-benefits-online-voter-registration\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arizona launched its OVR system<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2002, the state saw a 24% increase in<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">registration among voters age 18-24, while also slashing the state\u2019s registration costs, from 83 cents for each paper registration to just 3 cents for an online registration. Contrary to some claims, OVR offers a number of security protections<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/research\/elections-and-campaigns\/electronic-or-online-voter-registration.aspx\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to prevent fraud<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/scholars.org\/contribution\/many-benefits-online-voter-registration\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reduces the risk of errors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> caused by the manual transcription of paper forms. LD 1126 would allow voters to register, enroll in a political party or change their party affiliation, and submit a name or address change, all online. ID requirements for registering online would be the same as those for registering in person. The Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs held a public hearing on April 5 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1126&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3\">read the public testimony<\/a>) and has voted that the bill Ought to Pass. <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW.<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the House 81-61 and the Senate 22-12 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079709\">see how your legislators voted<\/a>) and was signed into law by the governor.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1373\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11758\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/0514-seclusion-rooms-1024x768\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/0514-seclusion-rooms-1024x768-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1024,768\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;DMC-FZ150&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1552494936&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.033333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"0514-seclusion-rooms-1024&#215;768\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/0514-seclusion-rooms-1024x768-1.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/0514-seclusion-rooms-1024x768-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11758\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/0514-seclusion-rooms-1024x768-1.jpg?resize=120%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/0514-seclusion-rooms-1024x768-1.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/0514-seclusion-rooms-1024x768-1.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=120%2C120&amp;ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/0514-seclusion-rooms-1024x768-1.jpg?zoom=3&amp;resize=120%2C120&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 120px) 100vw, 120px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Ban seclusion and restraints in Maine schools.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280080211\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1373, An Act To Keep All Maine Students Safe by Restricting the Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Schools<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/1399\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Rebecca Millett (D-Cape Elizabeth)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine schools used more than 20,000 restraints and seclusions on Maine students in 2017-2018, a rate 4-11 times higher than the national average. According to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/drme.org\/assets\/brochures\/CH33.Report.FINAL.2019.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a report<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Disability Rights Maine, the vast majority of these children\u201477% of those subjected to restraint and 79% of those subjected to seclusion\u2014are students with disabilities. LD 1373 would end that by banning seclusion, chemical restraints, mechanical restraints and certain physical restraints of students in all Maine schools. The Department of Education passed rules in 2012, known as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/doe\/schools\/safeschools\/restraint\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chapter 33<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, governing the use of seclusion and restraints in schools. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2019\/05\/13\/use-of-restraint-seclusion-in-maine-schools-is-rising\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advocates say the rules have failed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to reduce the use of this treatment and have called on the Legislature to ban the use of restraints and seclusion. Legislators passed a <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?paper=HP0997&amp;SessionID=13\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">similar measure<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2019, carrying the bill over to 2020 for funding. It died on the Special Appropriations table when the Legislature adjourned early due to the pandemic. Seclusion and restraint are used in schools across the nation, with one report citing their use on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www2.ed.gov\/about\/offices\/list\/ocr\/docs\/restraint-and-seclusion.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more than 100,000<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> students in 2017-2018. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.datawrapper.de\/_\/um7dH\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An analysis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of that report found that Maine ranked 14th in the use of seclusion and 26th for the use of restraints. As is the case here, the majority of students nationwide who are subjected to this treatment are children with disabilities. Congressional Democrats have tried unsuccessfully to pass a federal bill to ban these practices nationwide, with the most recent version <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.propublica.org\/article\/national-ban-on-school-use-of-seclusion-and-restraint-of-students-introduced-in-congress\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">introduced in November 2020<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with Maine Rep. Chellie Pingree as a co-sponsor. Learn more about LD1373 in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maineddc.org\/keeping-all-students-safe-act\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this fact sheet<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council and Maine Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion (CARS). The Education Committee will hold a public hearing May 4 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1373&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the testimony<\/a>) and the majority voted the bill Ought to Pass as amended. The amended version clarifies a few issues and prohibits restraint when it impacts a student&#8217;s ability to communicate. The bill was amended again after failing in the Senate, with the final version removing the ban on seclusion.\u00a0<br \/><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW:<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the House 74-63 but failed in the Senate 21-13. The House then passed an amended version of the bill 78-55 and sent it back to the Senate, where it passed 19-15. (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280080211\">See how your legislators voted.<\/a>) It became law without the governor&#8217;s signature.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD474\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11808\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/dem14-stpp-webbutton-340x340-v01\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/dem14-stpp-webbutton-340x340-v01.jpg?fit=340%2C340&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"340,340\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"dem14-stpp-webbutton-340&#215;340-v01\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/dem14-stpp-webbutton-340x340-v01.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/dem14-stpp-webbutton-340x340-v01.jpg?fit=340%2C340&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11808\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/dem14-stpp-webbutton-340x340-v01.jpg?resize=120%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/dem14-stpp-webbutton-340x340-v01.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/dem14-stpp-webbutton-340x340-v01.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/dem14-stpp-webbutton-340x340-v01.jpg?w=340&amp;ssl=1 340w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 120px) 100vw, 120px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Blocking the \u201cschool-to-prison\u201d pipeline. <\/b><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?paper=HP0348&amp;SessionID=14\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 474, An Act Regarding School Discipline for Maine&#8217;s Youngest Children<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sponsor: <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/1348\">Rep. Victoria Morales (D-South Portland)<\/a>. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studies suggest that children who are suspended or expelled during preschool or elementary school are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thejournal.com\/articles\/2018\/09\/24\/suspending-elementary-school-students-linked-to-future-behavioral-problems.aspx#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20Department%20of,lead%20author%20of%20the%20study.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 times more likely to face jail time<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> later in life, a trend known as the \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nea.org\/advocating-for-change\/new-from-nea\/school-prison-pipeline-time-shut-it-down\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">school-to-prison pipeline<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. LD 474 seeks to block that pipeline by banning expulsions, suspension, or the withholding of recess for children in pre-K through fifth grade, except as provided under the federal Gun-Free Schools Act. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecs.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/The-Status-of-School-Discipline-in-State-Policy.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studies link exclusionary discipline<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014suspensions or expulsions that remove a student from school\u2014to decreased academic performance, increased drop-out rates, lower incomes in adulthood, and a higher risk of future involvement with the criminal justice system.\u00a0 Exclusionary discipline practices<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/assets\/gao-18-258.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> disproportionately affect<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> children with disabilities and children of color, including in Maine. While Black students make up only 4% of K-12 students in Maine, they accounted for 8% of suspensions and 7% of expulsions in 2018, according to an<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/projects.propublica.org\/miseducation\/state\/ME\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> independent analysis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by ProPublica. Suspension and expulsion rates are also higher among <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2013\/11\/07\/news\/maine-students-with-disabilities-more-likely-to-be-suspended-nonadversarial-solutions-needed-experts-say\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">children with disabilities<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Maine. At least one school district in Maine has already taken action. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wmtw.com\/article\/earth-day-space-views\/36199496\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lewiston School Committee<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> passed a measure earlier this year that bans expulsions for elementary students, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aclumaine.org\/sites\/default\/files\/webelonghere_report.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">citing a report<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that found that more than half of expulsions from Lewiston schools in 2013 were among students of color, even though the majority of students in Lewiston are white. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecs.org\/50-state-comparison-state-policies-on-school-discipline\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sixteen states and the District of Columbia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have laws limiting the use of exclusionary discipline by grade level, usually in the early grades. LD 474 also requires that a list of low-cost or free legal services be included with written notice of an expulsion hearing that is sent to students and parents before the hearing. The Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs held a public hearing April 26 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=474&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the public testimony<\/a>) and voted that the bill Ought to Pass as amended. Under the amended version, the bill allows for a maximum of 3 days of an out-of-school suspension for pre-K through grade 5 for violent physical behavior, and for the use of recess for restorative practices. <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW.<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the House 78-53 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280078762\">see how your rep voted<\/a>) and the Senate by a voice vote (no roll call) and was signed into law by the governor.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1703\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"12165\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/cash-bail\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/cash-bail.jpg?fit=283%2C178&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"283,178\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"cash bail\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/cash-bail.jpg?fit=283%2C178&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/cash-bail.jpg?fit=283%2C178&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-12165 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/cash-bail.jpg?resize=154%2C97&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"154\" height=\"97\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Reforming an unjust cash bail system<\/b><b>.<\/b><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?paper=HP1266&amp;SessionID=14\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1703, An Act to Amend the Bail Code.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/56\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Between <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2019\/05\/13\/mainefocus\/found-on-a-frozen-lake-she-waits-in-jail-with-her-ghosts-unable-to-pay-500\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">60-80% of people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Maine jails are awaiting trial, many simply because they can\u2019t afford the cash bail set by the courts. This system punishes low-income Mainers, forcing them to remain in jail before they even have a chance to defend themselves in court. LD 1703 would address this problem by eliminating cash bail for most Class E misdemeanors, which account for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/csgjusticecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/JR-in-Maine-second-presentation1.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">41% of arrests<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Maine and include such offenses as public drinking, disorderly conduct, and petty theft. The bill would not apply to Class E misdemeanors involving sexual assault, intimate partner violence, or violation of condition of release related to those crimes. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.maine.gov\/about\/reports\/report-pretrial-justice-reform-task-force-dec2015.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 2015 survey<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found that the average length of pretrial incarceration in Maine was a month and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.maine.gov\/about\/reports\/report-pretrial-justice-reform-task-force-dec2015.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">average cash bail<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for Class E offenses was $722, an often insurmountable amount for many Mainers awaiting trial, who have a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.prisonpolicy.org\/reports\/incomejails.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">median annual income<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of just $15,109. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cash bail systems disproportionately disadvantage Black people, who historically have been assigned <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/southernersonnewground.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Until-Freedom-Comes-A-Comprehensive-Bailout-Toolkit.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">higher bail amounts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> D<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">efendants who can\u2019t afford bail are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/craftmediabucket.s3.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/PDFs\/LJAF_Report_state-sentencing_FNL.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more likely<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to be sentenced to longer jail or prison time and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.law.upenn.edu\/cf\/faculty\/research\/details.cfm?research_id=14047\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more likely<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to plead guilty to crimes they did not commit. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cash bail proponents argue it serves as a guarantee of trial appearance, but New Jersey and Washington, D.C., reported <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.njcourts.gov\/courts\/assets\/criminal\/2018cjrannual.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">similar or better appearance rates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> after reforms were implemented there. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1703 would <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">also require courts to consider other factors when setting bail, such as a person\u2019s health needs or if they are a primary caretaker. A similar bill introduced last session garnered support from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mainebeacon.com\/prosecutors-voice-support-for-reforming-maines-cash-bail-system\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prosecutors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Illinois became the first state to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2021\/02\/22\/970378490\/illinois-becomes-first-state-to-eliminate-cash-bail\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eliminate all cash bail<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> earlier this year, and other states are considering similar measures. Learn more about Maine\u2019s cash bail system from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1SxzeqIS-kXZqFFK7-QfjVe2VVd0nu4cNQfEXd180FaE\/edit?usp=sharing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACLU of Maine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Committee on Judiciary held a public hearing May 21 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1703&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the testimony<\/a>) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2021\/06\/04\/bill-to-eliminate-cash-bail-for-minor-crimes-moves-forward\/\">voted 10-2<\/a> that the bill Ought to Pass. <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0The bill passed the House 83-57 and the Senate 22-13 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280080855\">see how your legislator voted<\/a>) and became law without the governor&#8217;s signature.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"MakingHealthCareWorkforMaine\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11743\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?fit=1500%2C1500&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1500,1500\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11743\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?resize=127%2C127&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"127\" height=\"127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?resize=1080%2C1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 127px) 100vw, 127px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Making health care work for more Mainers.<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In 2014, Maine ranked 11th in the nation in per capita health care spending, at an average of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kff.org\/other\/state-indicator\/health-spending-per-capita\/?currentTimeframe=0&amp;sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Health%20Spending%20per%20Capita%22,%22sort%22:%22desc%22%7D\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$9,531 per person<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. That\u2019s a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cms.gov\/research-statistics-data-and-systems\/statistics-trends-and-reports\/nationalhealthexpenddata\/nationalhealthaccountsstatehealthaccountsresidence\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">49% increase<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> since 2000 and more than $1,500 higher than the national average. A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2021\/03\/23\/maine-democrats-take-aim-at-prescription-drug-prices-health-care-costs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">package of health care reform bills<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> seeks to address this issue by reigning in health care spending, holding drug manufacturers responsible for unnecessary price hikes, increasing transparency in prescription drug pricing, and making an emergency supply of insulin available from pharmacies around the state. Called the \u201cMaking Health Care Work for Maine,\u201d the package is among a slate of bills the Legislature will consider to increase health care access for Mainers. Learn more about this package below and in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mecep.org\/blog\/maine-lawmakers-consider-several-bills-to-tackle-rising-health-care-costs\/\">this review from Maine Center for Economic Policy<\/a>. The Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services held public hearings on these bills April 13 (see below for links to testimony) and voted that they all Ought to Pass. Two of the bills,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/#LD673\">LD 673<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/#LD686\">LD 686<\/a>\u00a0have been signed into law and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/#LD120\">LD 120<\/a> is awaiting the governor\u2019s signature. The final two bills, <a href=\"#LD675\">LD 675<\/a> and <a href=\"#LD1117\">LD 1117<\/a>, were vetoed by the governor and are now dead (see section below).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD120\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Reigning in health care spending.<\/span><\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280078097\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 120, An Act To Lower Health Care Costs through the Establishment of the Office of Affordable Health Care<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/District-1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Aroostook)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill, part of the &#8220;Making Health Care Work for Maine&#8221; bill package, would establish an independent, nonpartisan legislative office charged with creating evidence-based solutions to address the rising cost of health care and limit the amount of annual cost increases.The office would make recommendations to the Legislature to help keep health care costs down and be required to share its findings in an annual report and public hearing. The office is similar to a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/doc\/2019-health-care-cost-trends-report\/download\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">commission in Massachusetts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> credited with an estimated $7.2 billion health care savings and with keeping that state\u2019s health care spending growth rate to below the national average for more than a decade. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=120&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">Read the public testimony<\/a> from the April 13 public hearing. <br \/><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW.<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the House and Senate on voice votes (no roll call) and became law without the governor&#8217;s signature.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f;\"><b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Emergency access to insulin.<\/span><\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079138\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 673, An Act to Create the Insulin Safety Net Program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/District-25\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sen. Catherine Breen (D-Cumberland)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill requires manufacturers to provide pharmacies with supplies of insulin to be used by Mainers with diabetes and an urgent need for insulin who don\u2019t have health insurance, a prescription, or can\u2019t afford the cost of the drug. Maners could receive a 30-day supply from a Maine pharmacy for no more than $35. It is modeled after a similar bill passed last year in Minnesota, which has already withstood a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.twincities.com\/2021\/03\/16\/alec-smith-insulin-affordability-mn-lawsuit-phrma\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">legal challenge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the pharmaceutical industry. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=673&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">Read the public testimony<\/a> from the April 13 public hearing. <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW.<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the Senate 34-0 and passed the House on a voice vote (no roll call) and was signed into law by the governor.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f;\"><b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Increasing transparency for pharmaceutical companies.<\/span><\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079152\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 686, An Act to Increase Prescription Drug Pricing Transparency<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/District-23\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli (D-Sagadahoc)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would increase transparency in drug pricing by requiring the Maine Health Data Organization to publicly post information they\u2019ve collected from drug manufacturers about plans for price increases each year. Legislators say greater transparency gives consumers more information on drug pricing, makes it easier to spot areas ripe for prescription drug reform, and makes it more unlikely that price hikes will go unnoticed. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=686&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">Read the public testimony<\/a> from the April 13 public hearing. <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW.<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the Senate 33-1 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079152\">see how your senator voted<\/a>) and the House by a voice vote (no roll call) and was signed into law by the governor.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1127\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11843\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/4uajf2kff5egbeumnaseypcg4i\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/4UAJF2KFF5EGBEUMNASEYPCG4I.jpg?fit=1200%2C600&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,600\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"4UAJF2KFF5EGBEUMNASEYPCG4I\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/4UAJF2KFF5EGBEUMNASEYPCG4I.jpg?fit=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/4UAJF2KFF5EGBEUMNASEYPCG4I.jpg?fit=1024%2C512&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11843\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/4UAJF2KFF5EGBEUMNASEYPCG4I.jpg?resize=125%2C125&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/4UAJF2KFF5EGBEUMNASEYPCG4I.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/4UAJF2KFF5EGBEUMNASEYPCG4I.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=125%2C125&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/4UAJF2KFF5EGBEUMNASEYPCG4I.jpg?zoom=3&amp;resize=125%2C125&amp;ssl=1 375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Ban \u201cno-knock\u201d warrants.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079712\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1127, An Act To Prohibit the Use of &#8220;No-knock&#8221; Warrants<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\">***<\/span><\/strong> Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/1437\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Amy Roeder (D-Bangor)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would ban the use of no-knock warrants, search warrants that allow law enforcement to enter a specified location without first announcing their presence or purpose for entering. According to results from a recent poll by YouGov Blue, 61% of Maine voters support a ban on no-knock warrants. This comes amid an increase in\u00a0 national debate over the use of no-knock warrants following the March 2020 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.courier-journal.com\/story\/news\/local\/breonna-taylor\/2021\/03\/12\/spread-of-breonnas-law-across-us-has-become-policy-legacy\/4642996001\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">killing of Breonna Taylor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a 26-year-old Black woman in Louisville, Kentucky, who was shot when police entered her home with a no-knock warrant. Taylor was not a suspect in the case that led to the warrant. Since Taylor\u2019s death, legislators in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.courier-journal.com\/story\/news\/local\/breonna-taylor\/2021\/03\/12\/spread-of-breonnas-law-across-us-has-become-policy-legacy\/4642996001\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">33 states<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have introduced more than 80 measures that monitor, curtail, or eliminate no-knock warrants. A federal bill, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/2021\/3\/3\/22295856\/george-floyd-justice-in-policing-act-2021-passed-house\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">George Floyd Justice in Policing Act<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, would ban the use of no-knock warrants nationwide. It passed the House in March 2021 (Rep. Chellie Pingree voted for it; Rep. Jared Golden voted no), but has a tough road ahead in the Senate. Around <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/2014\/10\/29\/7083371\/swat-no-knock-raids-police-killed-civilians-dangerous-work-drugs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20,000 no-knock warrants<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are issued nationally each year and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thejusticecollaborative.com\/2020\/06\/new-report-no-knock-warrants\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more than 100 people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014including civilians and law enforcement officers\u2014have died in no-knock raids since 2010. The bill sponsor plans to amend the legislation to include additional requirements on law enforcement officers serving all search warrants, including requiring that they be in uniform, knock and announce their presence, turn on their body cameras before executing a warrant, and wait 30 seconds after knocking before entering. Search warrants would need to be executed during daylight hours and must include information about who else is in the home. The Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee held a public hearing April 26 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1127&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the public testimony<\/a>) and voted that the bill Ought Not to Pass.<br \/><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>***NOTE:<\/strong><\/span> Rep. Roeder&#8217;s bill was combined with a similar bill, <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079764\">LD 1171<\/a>, which received <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wmtw.com\/article\/maine-moving-to-curtail-no-knock-warrants-used-by-police\/36410184?fbclid=IwAR1TjAHSzysraiW5I9hhMQNULeyxidyG2Bw0Dp0eTsSBvZYq2mMvVnaq_Yg#\">a unanimous vote<\/a> by the committee. The compromise, bipartisan legislation will limit no-knock warrants to situations where police or people in surrounding areas might be at risk of death or bodily harm if police were to announce themselves and would require a judge to verify these conditions before issuing a warrant. It also requires officers on an entry team to wear a police uniform and activate body-worn cameras if required by their department. <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW.<\/strong><\/span> LD 1171 passed the House and Senate by voice vote (no roll call) and was signed into law by the governor.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"HOUSING\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11586\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?fit=740%2C740&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"740,740\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1614628399&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?fit=740%2C740&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11586\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?resize=110%2C110&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"110\" height=\"110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?w=740&amp;ssl=1 740w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 110px) 100vw, 110px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1508\">Avoiding eviction through mediation.<\/b><\/span> <span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?paper=SP0485&amp;SessionID=14\">LD 1508, An Act To Prevent Homelessness by Establishing an Eviction Mediation Program<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor:<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/District-29\"> Senator Anne Carney<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (D-Cape Elizabeth). <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This legislation would establish an eviction mediation program, to encourage landlords and tenants to use mediation to avoid evictions whenever possible. Eviction is a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.urban.org\/research\/publication\/getting-landlords-and-tenants-talk\">harmful and destabilizing event<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for families, which can negatively impact employment, health, and achievement. Once someone has been evicted, it becomes very difficult for them to find safe, alternative housing. Intervening before eviction occurs is key to reducing hardship for families, and mediation has been an important tool in achieving better outcomes. In Maine, about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2020\/08\/27\/news\/how-lawyers-are-rallying-to-help-maine-tenants-amid-a-wave-of-evictions\/\">5,300 evictions<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> were filed in 2019. During the pandemic, however, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newscentermaine.com\/article\/news\/local\/maine-affordable-housing-coalition-releases-latest-eviction-findings\/97-8effbc05-4108-4d9d-9c46-786fdfda2dec\">evictions decreased 40%<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, due in part to federal and state rent relief programs and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nlihc.org\/coronavirus-and-housing-homelessness\/eviction-update\">bans on evictions<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Before the pandemic, renters were largely evicted based on nonpayment of rent. Too often, renters do not understand their rights, or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanprogress.org\/issues\/poverty\/reports\/2019\/10\/02\/475263\/right-counsel-right-fighting-chance\/\">lack legal representation<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> during eviction proceedings. Eviction mediation provides a process for landlords and tenants to come to a mutually agreed-upon alternative to eviction with the help of a mediator. Several U.S. cities developed <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/citymonitor.ai\/housing\/what-is-eviction-mediation\">mediation programs<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> during the Great Recession, and have seen positive results. LD 1508 would create a program to encourage mediation between tenants and landlords to avoid eviction, as well as ensure more legal guidance for tenants in eviction proceedings. The Judiciary committee held a public hearing April 27 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1508&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130#\">read the public testimony<\/a>) and voted that the bill Ought to Pass as amended. <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW.<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the Senate 21-14 and in the House 82-61 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280080441\">see how your legislators voted<\/a>) and was signed into law by the governor.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"HarmReduction\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11868\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/mali3_hr_saveslives-300x267\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Mali3_HR_SavesLives-300x267-1.png?fit=300%2C267&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"300,267\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mali3_HR_SavesLives-300&#215;267\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Mali3_HR_SavesLives-300x267-1.png?fit=300%2C267&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Mali3_HR_SavesLives-300x267-1.png?fit=300%2C267&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11868 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Mali3_HR_SavesLives-300x267-1.png?resize=148%2C132&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"148\" height=\"132\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/b><\/span><\/span><b id=\"LD488\"><\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"HarmReduction\">Encouraging harm reduction through drug policy reform.<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Maine reported a record <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2021\/02\/18\/maine-reports-501-drug-overdose-deaths-in-2020-worst-year-on-record\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">502 overdose-related deaths<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2020, and early figures from 2021 are ominous. The Legislature will consider a number of bills this session that align with a national shift away from the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.globalcommissionondrugs.org\/reports\/the-war-on-drugs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">failed \u201cwar on drugs\u201d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> toward a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthaffairs.org\/do\/10.1377\/hblog20210421.168499\/full\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">public health approach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to drug use and substance use disorder. Studies have found <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pewtrusts.org\/-\/media\/assets\/2018\/03\/pspp_more_imprisonment_does_not_reduce_state_drug_problems.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">no link<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> between incarceration and reduced substance use, overdose deaths, or drug-related arrests. Widespread, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5428163\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">global agreement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that substance use disorder is a medical condition, not a moral failing, has prompted a number of states, including Maine, to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2021\/04\/04\/maine-considers-a-new-strategy-in-battle-against-opioid-epidemic-decriminalization\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">focus on decriminalization<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Legislators considered a number of drug policy reform bills this session, including the ones below.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"HarmReduction\"><b id=\"LD488\"><span style=\"color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1675\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/b>Decriminalizing needles.<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079461\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 994, An Act To Promote Public Health by Eliminating Criminal Penalties for Possession of Hypodermic Apparatuses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/1378\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Genevieve McDonald (D-Stonington)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This bill\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">would eliminate criminal penalties for possession or trafficking of hypodermic apparatuses and syringes. Currently in Maine, possessing 11 or more syringes is punishable by up to 364 days incarceration and a $2,000 fine. Selling, bartering, trading, or exchanging even one syringe for something of value is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Research suggests that injection drug users who are concerned about criminal prosecution from carrying syringes are more than twice as likely to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/002204269902900101\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">share syringes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, greatly increasing their risk for endocarditis and infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C, the latter of which has been <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2019\/11\/24\/hepatitis-c-cases-surging-in-maine\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on the rise<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Maine. Advocates say LD 994 could encourage participation in the state\u2019s syringe service programs (SSPs), which are certified by the Maine Centers for Disease Control and seek to reduce the risk of infectious disease and overdose, and connect participants with supports like targeted case management, peer support, substance use disorder treatment, and food and housing assistance. The bill is supported by Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey, the Maine Medical Association, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Maine Centers for Disease Control. The Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety held a public hearing April 21 (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=994&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">read the public testimony<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and voted overwhelmingly that the bill Ought to Pass. <br \/><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW.<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the House and Senate on a voice vote (no roll call) and was signed into law by the governor.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"LD488\"><span style=\"color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1675\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/b>Ex<\/span>panding recovery centers in Maine.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280078794\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 488, An Act To Expand Recovery Community Organizations throughout Maine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor:<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/District-13\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Senator Chloe Maxmin (D-Lincoln)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This legislation provides funding for recovery community centers in the seven Maine counties that do not already have one: Kennebec, York, Waldo, Hancock, Franklin, Somerset, and Piscataquis. Recovery Community Centers (RCCs) are independent nonprofits led by people in recovery that offer peer-based recovery services, public education, and policy advocacy. While they are not treatment centers, they connect people and their families to those services. Maine currently has 13 RCCs in nine counties, all part of the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/portlandrecovery.org\/maine-recovery-hub\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine Recovery Hub<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an initiative<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2018\/11\/02\/new-recovery-center-beneficiary-of-hub-approach\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">funded by the Department of Health and Human Services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and overseen by the Portland Recovery Community Center (PRCC).<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1ENvuGg8PknrPDoN-uGkXpFvZaLfv9xmqF9pYp2S3P6Q\/edit?usp=sharing\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2020<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, RCCs offered more than 6,000 activities for more than 55,000 people statewide. Following a decline in accidental overdose deaths, Maine saw a sharp increase in 2020, with<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1ENvuGg8PknrPDoN-uGkXpFvZaLfv9xmqF9pYp2S3P6Q\/edit?usp=sharing\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">503 deaths<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. State leaders, providers, and advocates attribute this 25% increase in part to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newscentermaine.com\/article\/news\/local\/as-seen-on-tv\/maine-quarter-three-drug-overdose-report-indicates-rising-overdose-deaths-2020\/97-bf581373-2d39-407c-b456-a09b83229b6f\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increased social isolation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> during the pandemic. A top priority in Governor Mills\u2019 recently updated<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/future\/sites\/maine.gov.future\/files\/inline-files\/MaineOpioidResponse.StrategicActionPlan.FINAL_.12.11.19.pdf\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opioid Response Strategic Plan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is to build and support recovery-ready communities by providing funding for additional community-based recovery centers. This legislation makes an important investment in expanding RCCs across the state as a means of providing innovative, community-based services, led by people in recovery, to respond to the needs of Mainers who are in recovery. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tinyurl.com\/ExpandingRCCsforME\"><strong>Learn more in this fact sheet from Maine Recovery Advocacy Project.<\/strong><\/a> The Committee on Health and Human Services <a href=\"https:\/\/knox.villagesoup.com\/p\/maxmin-introduces-bill-to-develop-state-recovery-community\/1887787\">held a hearing<\/a> on the bill April 12 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=488&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the public testimony<\/a>) and voted unanimously that the bill Ought to Pass as amended. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ChloeForSenate\/posts\/789149318400559?__cft__[0]=AZXJqsAbsP3yNsK5D3hzEWraDMvEX_6jCXWWm9SfLPXhgMezx6jciV2z1f1ccWOn55dSZ2ICugo2nEF_-S2AyYfVdu8jhrf1HIccuiFCs2YwYMm7eGLuypedmnAof7cm25chtH3P1XdU0RH3KQxl5AbtR1OdZFjJpANUPW9xFj04jg&amp;__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R\">This video<\/a> from Sen. Maxmin explains the amended version. <br \/><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW.<\/strong> <\/span>The bill passed the House and Senate by voice vote (no roll call) and was signed into law by the governor.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1675\"><span style=\"color: #00417f;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span>D<\/span>rug Sentencing Reform.<\/b><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280080737\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1675, An Act to Amend Certain Provisions of Maine\u2019s Drug Laws.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/56\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Maine, the amount of narcotics that trigger felony trafficking charges is <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/doc\/3946\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">far lower than in most other states<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and, in many cases, low enough that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/legis\/bills\/getTestimonyDoc.asp?id=125379\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">many users<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> face harsh consequences for possessing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aclumaine.org\/en\/legislation\/ld-1675-act-amend-certain-provisions-maine-drug-laws\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">amounts typical of personal use<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sentences for felony trafficking can range from 10-30 years and unlike 39 other states, Maine does not require a prosecutor to demonstrate an intent to traffic to charge someone with the crime. LD 1675 would change that, bringing Maine in line with other states by amending the law so that drug trafficking charges can\u2019t be levied based simply on the amount of drugs someone has on them. LD 1675 also eliminates the disparity between crack and powder cocaine in Maine\u2019s law, addressing a legacy of drug laws studies designed for the explicit purpose of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brennancenter.org\/our-work\/analysis-opinion\/race-mass-incarceration-and-disastrous-war-drugs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">punishing poor and Black people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> more harshly. Maine\u2019s felony drug trafficking law has been enforced in ways that disproportionately punish women and Black people. Although Black individuals represented less than 2% of Maine\u2019s population in 2018, they <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/csgjusticecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/JR-in-Maine-second-presentation1.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">accounted for 21% of Class A drug arrests and 15% of Class B offenses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The number of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/csgjusticecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/JR-in-Maine-second-presentation1.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">women arrested for Class A drug crimes in Maine tripled<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> between 2008 and 2018, with 16% of all 2018 felony arrests of women for trafficking. In 2020, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/corrections\/sites\/maine.gov.corrections\/files\/inline-files\/2020%20Year%20End%20Adult%20Data%20Report.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">56% of new admissions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to Maine\u2019s women\u2019s prison were for drug crimes. The consequences of long-term incarceration on both the individual and their family can be devastating. A felony conviction creates barriers to <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/whopaysreport.org\/key-findings\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">housing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/whopaysreport.org\/key-findings\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">employment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and even federal student loans. Find more info in this <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1wvv88TQi6EkZA4nTLk0qsoU0wCxTb4TOAKJ7WTH9-QI\/edit?usp=sharing\">fact sheet from ACLU of Maine<\/a>. The Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety held a public hearing May 14 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1675&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the testimony<\/a>) and voted that the bill Ought to Pass. <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW.<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the House 80-58 and the Senate 20-15 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280080737\">see how your legislators voted<\/a>) and became law without the governor&#8217;s signature.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"LD967\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span>Drug sentencing reform. <\/b><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?paper=HP0713&amp;SessionID=14\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 967: An Act to Amend the Drug Laws by Decriminalizing the Individual Use or Possession of Schedule, W, X, Y, and Z Drugs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/126\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Anne Perry (D-Calais)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would make possession of small amounts of\u00a0 drugs for personal use a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2021\/01\/29\/recovery-coalition-outlines-legislative-priorities-including-decriminalizing-drug-possession\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">civil offense<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, instead of a criminal violation. People found guilty would\u00a0 pay a fine of up to $100; the fine can be waived\u00a0 by receiving referral for a health assessment for possible substance use disorder treatment or other supportive services. Maine has some of the harshest drug sentencing laws in the country with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2021\/04\/04\/maine-considers-a-new-strategy-in-battle-against-opioid-epidemic-decriminalization\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">far lower threshold<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for felony possession and trafficking than most other states. Prosecutors don\u2019t even have to prove a defendant\u2019s intent to distribute the drugs in their possession to levy a trafficking conviction, which has a long-term negative effects on a person\u2019s ability to secure housing or employment. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/csgjusticecenter.org\/publications\/justice-reinvestment-in-maine-second-presentation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drug arrests in Maine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have increased over the last decade, accounting for almost 9% of all arrests in 2018. Arrests for drug trafficking made up more than half of all Class A arrests and more than one-quarter of Class B arrests that year. The rise in drug arrests is particularly high among women, rising 25% between 2008 and 2018. By removing criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of drugs, LD 967 could allow individuals to obtain and keep housing and employment and provide a pathway to treatment. Last year, Oregon became the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/oregon-decriminalize-drug-possession-6843f93c3d55212e0ffbdd8b93be9196\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first state<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the U.S. to decriminalize small amounts of drugs, but other states are now considering similar legislation. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/10\/05\/upshot\/portugal-drug-legalization-treatment.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research from Portugal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found that a 2001 decision to decriminalize small amounts of drugs in that country was associated with an increase in the number of people seeking treatment and a decrease in overdose deaths and HIV among those who use drugs. Drug sentencing reform is under consideration at the federal level as well, with Sen. Angus King (I) <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newscentermaine.com\/article\/news\/local\/as-seen-on-tv\/smarter-sentencing-act-maine-drug-decriminalization-bills-highlight-drug-sentencing-reform\/97-de5e27c6-3f4a-416d-9c1f-2cd1dc05001f\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sponsoring a bill<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that would lower some mandatory drug sentencing requirements. Learn more from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aclumaine.org\/en\/legislation\/ld-967-act-possession-scheduled-drugs-personal-use-civil-penalty\"><b>ACLU of Maine<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1Ra1AaFoh56JUVZr37u0r--XW2u5CbNXsB7jKIwUYqIg\/edit?usp=sharing\"><b>Maine Recovery Advocacy Project<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1lrAPC1PChkLbc9wx9l8Tpxw5idvxNwI_v7nogqXOLgs\/edit?usp=sharing\"><b>Maine Coalition for Sensible Drug Policy<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety held a public hearing April 30 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=967&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the testimony<\/a>) and voted that the bill Ought to Pass. <br \/><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>DEAD.<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the House 77-62 but failed in the Senate 18-14. <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079424\">See how your legislators voted<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"LD1417\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11822\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/file-20201009-15-vop4b0\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/file-20201009-15-vop4b0.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"file-20201009-15-vop4b0\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/file-20201009-15-vop4b0.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/file-20201009-15-vop4b0.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11822\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/file-20201009-15-vop4b0.jpg?resize=119%2C119&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"119\" height=\"119\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/file-20201009-15-vop4b0.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/file-20201009-15-vop4b0.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/file-20201009-15-vop4b0.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/file-20201009-15-vop4b0.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/file-20201009-15-vop4b0.jpg?resize=1080%2C1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/file-20201009-15-vop4b0.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 119px) 100vw, 119px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Corporate contribution ban.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?paper=SP0467&amp;SessionID=14\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1417, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An Act Regarding Campaign Finance Reform<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/District-7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sen. Louis Lucchini (D-Hancock)<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span> <span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This campaign finance reform bill seeks to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainecleanelections.org\/corporate\">limit the influence of corporations<\/a> in state elections by banning corporate donations to candidates for state office and legislator-controlled PACs. Businesses and organizations affected by the ban include for-profit companies, partnerships, non-profit organizations, and professional associations, ensuring that corporations can\u2019t use political contributions to manipulate the legislative process and tip the playing field in their favor on issues of tax incentives, consumer regulation, and workers\u2019 rights. In the 2020 election cycle, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mainecampaignfinance.com\/#\/index\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">corporations gave more than $1.5M<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to state and federal candidates and candidate-controlled PACs in Maine, with the largest donations coming from the energy, healthcare, and pharmaceutical industries. The bill does not block donations from business owners or their employees or shareholders. LD 1417 would also improve transparency in leadership PACs and candidate campaigns, eliminating the influence of \u201cdark money\u201d by undisclosed donors in Maine\u2019s elections. Nationally, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/politicalaccountability.net\/political-spending-information\/how-do-companies-spend\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hundreds of millions of dollars of dark money<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have been spent by anonymous donors to influence climate change, taxation, redistricting, income inequality, and civil rights. Currently, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/research\/elections-and-campaigns\/campaign-contribution-limits-overview.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">22 states prohibit corporate contributions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to political campaigns, and these donations are also prohibited in federal election campaigns.\u00a0 Bans similar to that proposed in LD 1417 have been upheld in federal court. Learn more about the bill in this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainecleanelections.org\/sites\/default\/files\/2021_April_CCB_Info_Sheet.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine Citizens for Clean Elections fact sheet<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs held a public hearing April 26 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1417&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130#\">read the public testimony<\/a>) and voted that the bill Ought to Pass. <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW.<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the Senate 24-10 and the House 80-62 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280080295\">see how your legislators voted<\/a>) and the governor has signed it into law!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD78\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2750\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/child-poverty-maine-support-bill-improve-parents-access-education-training\/boy-1854107_1920\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/boy-1854107_1920.jpg?fit=1920%2C1278&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1920,1278\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D4S&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"boy-1854107_1920\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/boy-1854107_1920.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/boy-1854107_1920.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-2750\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/boy-1854107_1920.jpg?resize=119%2C119&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"119\" height=\"119\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/boy-1854107_1920.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/boy-1854107_1920.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=119%2C119&amp;ssl=1 238w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/boy-1854107_1920.jpg?zoom=3&amp;resize=119%2C119&amp;ssl=1 357w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 119px) 100vw, 119px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Helping Maine children living in poverty. <\/b><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280078027\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 78, An Act To Protect Children from Extreme Poverty by Preserving Children&#8217;s Access to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Benefits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/1337\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Michele Meyer (D-Eliot)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Between 2010-2019, the number of Maine children living in poverty who received Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/datacenter.kidscount.org\/data\/line\/1564-tanf-2003-2020?loc=21&amp;loct=2#2\/any\/false\/574,1729,37,871,870,573,869,36,868,867\/asc\/any\/3335\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">decreased by 73%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with more than 18,000\u00a0 children losing access to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbpp.org\/research\/family-income-support\/temporary-assistance-for-needy-families\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">federal program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which provides assistance to low-income families. The cuts were a result of policies enacted under former Gov. Paul LePage, including inflexible time limits and \u201cfull family sanctions,\u201d which required the state to strip TANF aid from entire families if just one parent fell out of compliance with program requirements. In 2019, there were <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/datacenter.kidscount.org\/data\/tables\/1562-children-in-poverty-by-county-2005-2019#detailed\/2\/any\/false\/1729,37,871,870,573,869,36,868,867,133\/any\/11725,3331\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">33,026 children<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Maine living in poverty, but <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/datacenter.kidscount.org\/data\/tables\/1564-tanf-2003-2020#detailed\/2\/any\/false\/574,1729,37,871,870,573,869,36,868,867\/any\/12826,3335\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">only 6,692<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of them were receiving TANF benefits. Studies suggest that families who lose TANF benefits have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maineequaljustice.org\/publications\/tanf-time-limits-one-year-later-how-families-are-faring\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increased risks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of homelessness, food insecurity, and even family separation. LD 78 would allow children in a household to continue to receive assistance, terminating benefits only for the parent who is out of compliance. The legislation comes at a critical time, as the number of Maine children living in poverty remains among the highest in New England. Although the full impact of the pandemic on child poverty in Maine is not yet known, the number of Maine children receiving TANF in 2020 rose 8%, the first increase in a decade. The Committee on Health and Human Services (HHS) held a public hearing April 1 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=78&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3\">read the public testimony<\/a>) and voted that the bill Ought to Pass as amended. <br \/><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>THE BILL IS LAW.<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the House and Senate on voice votes (no roll call) and was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/governor\/mills\/news\/governor-mills-signs-bills-law-2021-04-08\">signed into law<\/a> by the governor.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"LD173\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11498\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/maine-veterans-services\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/maine-veterans-services.png?fit=640%2C386&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"640,386\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"maine-veterans-services\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/maine-veterans-services.png?fit=300%2C181&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/maine-veterans-services.png?fit=640%2C386&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11498\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/maine-veterans-services.png?resize=100%2C100&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/maine-veterans-services.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/maine-veterans-services.png?zoom=2&amp;resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/maine-veterans-services.png?zoom=3&amp;resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Honoring Maine LGBTQ+ veterans.<\/b> <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280078194\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 173, An Act To Restore Honor to Certain Service Members<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: Rep. Barbara Wood.<br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This legislation would provide a pathway to a discharge upgrade for veterans who were less than honorably discharged solely on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Before 1993, service members who engaged in homosexual conduct were likely to receive discharges that were \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanprogress.org\/issues\/lgbtq-rights\/reports\/2013\/09\/20\/74883\/the-battles-that-remain-military-service-and-lgbt-equality\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">less than honorable<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u201d denying them access to full VA benefits, such as the GI Bill and health care coverage, that they should otherwise have received under state law. Nationwide, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.justia.com\/lgbtq\/military-service\/veterans-issues\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more than 100,000 people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> were released from the military due to sexual orientation from World War II to the present. Military discharge decisions can only be formally changed by the federal government, but legislation to do this on a national level has been <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2015\/09\/07\/us\/gay-veterans-push-for-honorable-discharges-they-were-denied.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stalled in the U.S. House<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> since 2013. LD 173 would require the Maine Bureau of Veteran\u2019s Services to treat such discharges as honorable, so those veterans would then be entitled to certain rights, privileges, and benefits under state law. New York passed <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.governor.ny.gov\/news\/governor-cuomo-signs-legislation-giving-veterans-who-were-denied-honorable-discharge-due-their\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">similar legislation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2019 and federal legislators have recently re-introduced the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/modernmilitary.org\/2019\/06\/legislation-reintroduced-to-restore-honor-to-service-members-discharged-due-to-sexual-orientation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restore Honor to Service Members Act<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The future of that bill is unclear. For veterans in Maine who were denied the rights and benefits solely because of their sexual identity, LD 173 is an important step in addressing the impact of discrimination in the workplace, and in making reparations. A public hearing was held Feb. 8 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=173&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3\">read the testimony<\/a>) and the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs voted that the bill &#8220;ought to pass.&#8221;\u00a0<br \/><b><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\">THE BILL IS LAW. <\/span><\/b>The bill <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newscentermaine.com\/video\/news\/politics\/maine-politics\/maine-bill-to-restore-benefits-to-lgbtq-vets-passes-legislature\/97-a2020d1e-0ff1-4d00-8887-52125f8ca8b1\">passed unanimously<\/a> in both chambers by a voice vote (no roll call) and has been signed by the governor!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11452\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/portland-tuesday-rally-9\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Portland-Tuesday-Rally-9.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,800\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Portland-Tuesday-Rally-9\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Portland-Tuesday-Rally-9.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Portland-Tuesday-Rally-9.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11452 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Portland-Tuesday-Rally-9.jpg?resize=100%2C100&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Portland-Tuesday-Rally-9.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Portland-Tuesday-Rally-9.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Portland-Tuesday-Rally-9.jpg?zoom=3&amp;resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Increasing racial equity in legislation.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280077978\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">L<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">D 2, An Act To Require the Inclusion of Racial Impact Statements in the Legislative Process<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/56\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would allow legislators to request \u201cracial impact statements\u201d to measure how proposed legislation might create new or deepen existing racial disparities in Maine. Legislators already use impact statements to predict unforeseen economic or environmental harms before a bill is passed. <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Racial impact statements offer a similar tool to predict how proposed legislation might negatively affect racial and ethnic populations. Long viewed as a vehicle for dismantling <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalcommons.law.uw.edu\/wlr\/vol89\/iss4\/12\/\">systemic racism<\/a> in the criminal justice system, racial impact statements are being used to draft legislation in a number of areas, ranging from education policy to budgeting.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The nation\u2019s first law requiring racial impact statements was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/templates\/story\/story.php?storyId=90102924\">passed in Iowa in 2008<\/a>. Since then, at least <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sentencingproject.org\/publications\/racial-impact-statements\/\">13 other states<\/a> have passed or introduced similar measures.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Including racial impact statements in Maine\u2019s lawmaking process was one of several recommendations in a report from the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.maine.gov\/labor\/pcrit\/reports\/2020_LegReport.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Maine Tribal Populations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, released last year. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 2 would commission a study of how racial impact statements have been employed in other states and how they could be generated and used in Maine, with a pilot project launching in January 2022 during the 130th Legislature\u2019s second regular session. Depending on the results, racial impact statements could be fully implemented beginning in 2023. More details on LD 2 and racial impact statements is available in <a href=\"https:\/\/maineequaljustice.org\/site\/assets\/files\/2312\/core_ld2_factsheet.pdf\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>this fact sheet<\/strong><\/span><\/a> from the Coalition on Racial Equity. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainepublic.org\/post\/proposal-would-let-maine-legislators-request-racial-impact-statements-new-laws\">public hearing<\/a> was held Feb. 3, with almost all testimony in support of the bill. (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=2&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\"><strong>Read the public testimony<\/strong><\/a>, including testimony submitted by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/getTestimonyDoc.asp?id=141863\">Suit Up Maine<\/a>.) The Committee on State and Local Government <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2021\/02\/17\/committee-endorses-bill-to-require-racial-impact-statements-in-all-state-legislation\/\">voted 7-5 in support<\/a> of the legislation.<br \/><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><b><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\">THE BILL IS LAW. <\/span><\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2021\/03\/19\/mills-signs-into-law-bill-requiring-racial-impact-statements-on-new-legislation\/\">bill has been signed by the goveror<\/a>! It passed unanimously in the House and by a vote of 25-7 in the Senate (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcall.asp?ID=280077978&amp;chamber=Senate&amp;serialnumber=59\">see how your senator voted<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11575\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/vaccine_1-1-2_fs__2000_1125_70_1500_844_70\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Vaccine_1.1.2_FS__2000_1125_70_1500_844_70.jpg?fit=843%2C844&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"843,844\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1614070947&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Vaccine_1.1.2_FS__2000_1125_70_1500_844_70\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Vaccine_1.1.2_FS__2000_1125_70_1500_844_70.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Vaccine_1.1.2_FS__2000_1125_70_1500_844_70.jpg?fit=843%2C844&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11575 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Vaccine_1.1.2_FS__2000_1125_70_1500_844_70.jpg?resize=100%2C100&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Vaccine_1.1.2_FS__2000_1125_70_1500_844_70.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Vaccine_1.1.2_FS__2000_1125_70_1500_844_70.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Vaccine_1.1.2_FS__2000_1125_70_1500_844_70.jpg?resize=768%2C769&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Vaccine_1.1.2_FS__2000_1125_70_1500_844_70.jpg?w=843&amp;ssl=1 843w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280077942\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1, An Act To Establish the COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Emergency) Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/District-1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Aroostook)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/63\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2021\/01\/14\/maine-democratic-leaders-mainers-deserve-a-covid-19-patient-bill-of-rights\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">legislation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> would help Mainers avoid financial or other barriers to getting tested and vaccinated for COVID-19. As of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dhhs\/mecdc\/infectious-disease\/epi\/airborne\/coronavirus\/data.shtml\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feb. 14, 2021<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 42,529 Mainers have tested positive for COVID-19 and 649 have died. LD 1 would enshrine many of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kff.org\/health-costs\/issue-brief\/gaps-in-cost-sharing-protections-for-covid-19-testing-and-treatment-could-spark-public-concerns-about-covid-19-vaccine-costs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">temporary federal rules<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> related to testing and vaccination into state law, including requiring that all Maine-regulated health insurance plans cover the cost of COVID-19 screening, testing, and vaccination and waive all co-pays. It also eases requirements for telehealth visits and allows health care professionals to prescribe a longer supply of medications to reduce pharmacy visits. Other key provisions include requiring testing sites to inform uninsured Mainers if they charge a testing fee and to provide a list of no-charge testing sites; increasing vaccine distribution capacity by allowing additional health care providers to administer it; and extending coverage to other groups as vaccine approvals are expanded. This legislation would <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/news\/best-states\/maine\/articles\/2021-01-11\/maine-to-consider-covid-19-patient-bill-of-rights\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">significantly reduce<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> barriers of cost and access to COVID-19 testing and vaccination for Mainers.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2021\/02\/23\/maine-democratic-leaders-pitch-covid-19-patient-bill-of-rights\/\">public hearing<\/a> was held Feb. 23 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3\">read the testimony<\/a>) and Gov. Janet Mills has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/news\/best-states\/maine\/articles\/2021-02-25\/maine-governor-supports-covid-19-patient-bill-of-rights\">announced her support<\/a> for the bill. The Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services had a divided voted on the bill, with two Ought to Pass as amended reports.<br \/><b><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\">THE BILL IS LAW. <\/span><\/b>This <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/coronavirus-pandemic-maine-73d204e23f5ed1376645b050b11c3e88\">bill has been signed by the governor<\/a>! It passed unanimously in both chambers (no roll call).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD225\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11505\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/d2z5ckwukbecphjvmwlolqglqm\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/D2Z5CKWUKBECPHJVMWLOLQGLQM.jpg?fit=800%2C551&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"800,551\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"D2Z5CKWUKBECPHJVMWLOLQGLQM\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/D2Z5CKWUKBECPHJVMWLOLQGLQM.jpg?fit=300%2C207&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/D2Z5CKWUKBECPHJVMWLOLQGLQM.jpg?fit=800%2C551&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11505\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/D2Z5CKWUKBECPHJVMWLOLQGLQM.jpg?resize=120%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/D2Z5CKWUKBECPHJVMWLOLQGLQM.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/D2Z5CKWUKBECPHJVMWLOLQGLQM.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=120%2C120&amp;ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/D2Z5CKWUKBECPHJVMWLOLQGLQM.jpg?zoom=3&amp;resize=120%2C120&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 120px) 100vw, 120px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Payment for unused earned paid vacation. <\/b><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?paper=HP0160&amp;SessionID=14\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 225, An Act Regarding the Treatment of Vacation Time upon the Cessation of Employment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor. <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/1437\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Amy Roeder D- Bangor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would require employers to pay workers for any unused earned vacation time if they are laid off or choose to leave their jobs, ensuring workers aren\u2019t penalized for not taking their vacation time. The number of people who forgo their earned paid time off, which includes vacation and sick time, has increased in recent years. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2019, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ustravel.org\/press\/study-record-768-million-us-vacation-days-went-unused-18-opportunity-cost-billions\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">55% of employees<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> didn\u2019t use all their PTO\u2014a 9% increase over the previous year\u2014leaving an estimated <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ustravel.org\/sites\/default\/files\/media_root\/document\/NPVD19_FactSheet.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$65.5 billion in benefits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the table. Although there are no federal laws mandating compensation of accrued vacation time when an employee separates from their employer, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.paycor.com\/resource-center\/pto-payout-laws-by-state\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eight states<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have passed laws addressing the issue. Maine, along with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebalancecareers.com\/getting-paid-for-unused-vacation-and-sick-time-2063028\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">41 other states<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the District of Columbia, stipulates that only employers with an \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jacksonlewis.com\/publication\/maine-labor-department-releases-final-rules-earned-paid-leave-law\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">established policy or practice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d of paying out vacation time are required to compensate when an employee leaves their job. This leaves many Maine workers vulnerable to lost compensation, a jarring reality for many Maine families in the wake of historic job losses during the pandemic. LD 225 classifies earned vacation as wages, which would be due to employees when they leave. The Committee on Labor and Housing held a public hearing Feb. 10 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=225&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3\">read the testimony<\/a>) and was tabled during its third work session May 7 and carried over to the current session. Another work session was held January 19 and the committee voted that the bill Ought to Pass.\u00a0<br \/><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>PASSED:<\/strong><\/span> The bill has passed the House and Senate under a voice vote (no roll call) and will go to the governor&#8217;s desk soon!\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>BILLS THAT PASSED AND WERE FUNDED SEPARATELY<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The following bills passed in the legislature but were funded through the budget or through federal funds. Although these bills technically died, it was public pressure in support of them that led to the programs being funded elsewhere!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD718\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11789\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/sum-testimony-2021\/mejp-cover-image_1600x850\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/mejp-cover-image_1600x850.jpg?fit=850%2C849&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"850,849\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1618413985&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"mejp-cover-image_1600x850\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/mejp-cover-image_1600x850.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/mejp-cover-image_1600x850.jpg?fit=850%2C849&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11789 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/mejp-cover-image_1600x850.jpg?resize=125%2C125&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/mejp-cover-image_1600x850.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/mejp-cover-image_1600x850.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/mejp-cover-image_1600x850.jpg?resize=768%2C767&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/mejp-cover-image_1600x850.jpg?w=850&amp;ssl=1 850w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Removing barriers to health care for all Mainers.<\/b><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079195\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 718, An Act To Improve the Health of Maine Residents by Closing Coverage Gaps in the MaineCare Program and the Children&#8217;s Health Insurance Program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor:<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/56\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would expand health care coverage to more Mainers with low incomes by extending MaineCare and Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program coverage to noncitizen residents who are ineligible for coverage under the federal health programs, regardless of their immigration status. In 1996, after Congress blocked access to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.guttmacher.org\/gpr\/2003\/05\/immigrants-and-medicaid-after-welfare-reform\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicaid<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and other safety net programs for all but a few categories of immigrants, the Maine legislature took bipartisan action to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.urban.org\/sites\/default\/files\/publication\/69586\/309007-Patchwork-Policies-State-Assistance-for-Immigrants-under-Welfare-Reform.PDF\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">use state funds<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to continue coverage in Maine. But in 2011, former Gov. Paul LePage<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2011\/06\/20\/news\/lepage-signs-6-1-billion-two-year-maine-budget\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">signed a budget<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">disqualified many immigrants from most benefits, stripping MaineCare coverage from about 1,550 legal noncitizens. LD 718 would <a href=\"https:\/\/mainebeacon.com\/expanding-health-care-to-immigrants-will-help-stem-structural-inequities-advocates-say\/\">reverse that LePage-era policy<\/a>. Research suggests that providing coverage to noncitizens has positive economic impacts, as delayed care or lack of prenatal care can result in<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/channels\/health-forum\/fullarticle\/2759639\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">higher long-term costs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Learn more about LD 718 in this<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maineequaljustice.org\/site\/assets\/files\/2397\/ld_718_fact_sheet_031021.pdf\"> <b>toolkit from Maine Equal Justice<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Committee on Health and Human Services held a public hearing on April 15 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=718&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the public testimony<\/a>) and voted along party lines that the bill Ought to Pass. The bill passed in the House (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280080737\">see how your legislator voted<\/a>) but stalled in the Senate over funding. Legislators passed a supplemental budget that included funding to expand MaineCare and CHIP to children and pregnant people, but not to other adults.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD296\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9622\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/help-164755_960_720\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/help-164755_960_720.jpg?fit=960%2C635&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"960,635\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"help-164755_960_720\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/help-164755_960_720.jpg?fit=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/help-164755_960_720.jpg?fit=960%2C635&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-9622\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/help-164755_960_720.jpg?resize=119%2C119&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"119\" height=\"119\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/help-164755_960_720.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/help-164755_960_720.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=119%2C119&amp;ssl=1 238w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/help-164755_960_720.jpg?zoom=3&amp;resize=119%2C119&amp;ssl=1 357w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 119px) 100vw, 119px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Support for family caregivers.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280078457\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 296, An Act To Provide a Tax Credit for Family Caregivers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/1355\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kristen Cloutier (D-Lewiston)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill, which has bipartisan support, would create a pilot grant program to provide support for family caregivers. An estimated <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/ppi\/info-2015\/valuing-the-invaluable-2015-update.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">181,000 Mainers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provide 152 million hours of care to adult family members who need help with daily activities such as bathing, eating, and dressing. Most of that work is unpaid and may actually cost families lost wages when a caregiver has to leave their job to provide the care a family member needs. In Maine, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mecep.org\/state-of-working-maine-2019\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">14% of workers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have had to quit their jobs or reduce their work hours for more than 2 weeks to care for a loved one. A recent study found that the average caregiver loses <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/content\/dam\/aarp\/livable-communities\/old-learn\/health\/metlife-study-of-caregiving-costs-to-working-caregivers-2011-aarp.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more than $300,000<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in lost wages, pension, and Social Security benefits. The COVID-19 pandemic has only <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apnorc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Long-Term-Care-October-2020-Release-FINAL-1.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">exacerbated<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> these problems. LD 296 would offer $2,000 grants to certified caregivers who provide care to eligible family members, such as a spouse, registered domestic partner, or blood relative age 18 and older. A stakeholder group would create the program and determine income eligibility. A similar bill introduced last year, that would have provided a $2,000 tax credit to eligible caregivers, received <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mainebeacon.com\/committee-unanimously-passes-2000-tax-credit-for-maine-family-caregivers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">unanimous support<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in committee, but was unable to go for a floor vote before the Legislature adjourned. Learn more in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2021\/05\/19\/rep-cloutier-and-sen-bennett-helping-family-caregivers-is-the-right-thing-to-do\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this op-ed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the bill sponsors. The Committee on Taxation held a public hearing May 20 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=296&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the testimony<\/a>) and voted that the bill Ought to Pass. The bill goes to the House soon for a vote. The bill passed the House and Senate on voice votes (no roll calls) and received funding through Maine&#8217;s portion of the American Rescue Plan Act. <\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"LD1652\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"12127\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/clipart-baby-building-block-15\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/clipart-baby-building-block-15.png?fit=800%2C606&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"800,606\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"clipart-baby-building-block-15\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/clipart-baby-building-block-15.png?fit=300%2C227&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/clipart-baby-building-block-15.png?fit=800%2C606&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-12127 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/clipart-baby-building-block-15.png?resize=147%2C111&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"147\" height=\"111\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Improving child care in Maine. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1652\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280080726\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1652, An Act To Build a Child Care System by Recruiting and Retaining Maine&#8217;s Early Childhood Workforce. Sponsor: Speaker Ryan Fecteau.<\/span><\/a><br \/><\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would help recruit and retain educators and staff working in child care programs across the state. Maine families spend as much as 22% of their income on child care, according to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mekids.org\/site\/assets\/files\/1404\/state_of_child_care_2019.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine Children\u2019s Alliance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In Maine, child care costs range from a low of $6,500 for full-time preschool care in Aroostook County to as high as $15,756 for infant care in Cumberland County. In 2018, 73% of Maine parents with children age 6 years and younger work, according to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/datacenter.kidscount.org\/data\/tables\/5057-children-under-age-6-with-all-available-parents-in-the-labor-force?loc=21&amp;loct=2#detailed\/2\/21\/false\/37,871,870,573,869,36,868,867,133,38\/any\/11472,11473\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kids Count<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. An estimated 52,535 children under age 6 in Maine need child care, but the state\u2019s child care providers can only serve 46,879, according to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn2.hubspot.net\/hubfs\/3957809\/State%20Fact%20Sheets%202019\/Maine%202019.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Child Care Aware of America<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The unmet need has increased, as the number of child care centers in Maine declined by 30% between 2011-2018. One report estimated that for every 3 kids in child care, there\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.strongnation.org\/articles\/1424-early-childhood-programs-scarcity-undermines-maine-s-rural-communities\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">only one available slot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One reason for Maine\u2019s child care crisis is a shortage of child care workers, due in large part to low wages. Many child care educators live below the poverty line, with an average income of just $26,000 per year. LD 1652 would address this by budgeting $5 million a year to provide wage stipends and scholarships for training and education. Although federal COVID aid packages have included support for child care, that assistance isn&#8217;t permanent. With Maine&#8217;s aging workforce, recruiting young families to the state is critical, and access to quality child care is a key attraction. The legislation is supported by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightfromthestartmaine.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Right from the Start<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a broad coalition of child care professionals and advocates, including Maine Children\u2019s Alliance, Maine Head Start Association, and Maine Association for the Education of Young Children. Learn more about the bill in this fact sheet from the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maineaeyc.org\/public-policy-advocacy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine Association for the Education of Young Children<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business held a hearing May 11 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1652&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the testimony<\/a>) and has voted that the bill Ought to Pass. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainepublic.org\/politics\/2022-04-01\/maine-legislature-on-track-to-pass-12-million-proposal-to-support-child-care-providers\">bill passed<\/a> by a voice vote in both the House and Senate and was incorporated into the supplemental budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD372\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"6751\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/chip1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/chip1.jpeg?fit=500%2C334&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,334\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"chip1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/chip1.jpeg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/chip1.jpeg?fit=500%2C334&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-6751\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/chip1.jpeg?resize=110%2C110&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"110\" height=\"110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/chip1.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/chip1.jpeg?zoom=2&amp;resize=110%2C110&amp;ssl=1 220w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/chip1.jpeg?zoom=3&amp;resize=110%2C110&amp;ssl=1 330w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 110px) 100vw, 110px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Health care for more Maine children.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280078595\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 372, An Act To Provide Maine Children Access to Affordable Health Care<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/senate\/district-29\/9555\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sen. Anne Carney (D-Cumberland)<\/span><\/a><\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would bring millions of federal dollars into Maine and provide health care coverage to as many as 10,000 uninsured children in Maine by expanding the state\u2019s Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), known as <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainecahc.org\/guide-to-maine-health-care\/mainecare\/kids-and-parents\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cub Care<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which offers low-cost health insurance to children whose families don\u2019t qualify for Medicaid (MaineCare). <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nccp.org\/profiles\/ME_profile_6.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">37% of children in Maine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are part of a low-income family and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/datacenter.kidscount.org\/data\/tables\/1562-children-in-poverty-by-county-2005-2019\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13.8% live in poverty<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2018, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/datacenter.kidscount.org\/data\/tables\/8437-children-under-age-19-without-health-insurance#detailed\/2\/any\/false\/37,871,870,573,869,36,868,867,133,38\/any\/17058,17059\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5.7% of children<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Maine were uninsured\u2014the highest rate of any state in New England. In some Maine counties, the rate is as high as 9.1%. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under current law, Cub Care is only available to children and teenagers at 200% of the federal poverty level, or $25,520 a year for an individual and $43,440 for a family of three. LD 372 would expand eligibility to 300% of the federal poverty level ($38,280 for an individual; $65,160 for a family of three), while also expanding coverage to 19 and 20 year olds and to noncitizens under age 21 years. In addition, the bill would eliminate the current asset test and 3-month waiting period for coverage to begin after the loss of employer-based insurance. At least <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kff.org\/medicaid\/report\/medicaid-and-chip-eligibility-enrollment-and-cost-sharing-policies-as-of-january-2020-findings-from-a-50-state-survey\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13 other states<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have expanded CHIP coverage and many others are considering it, in large part because of the federal matching dollars of the CHIP program. Every $1 Maine spends on CHIP is matched by $3 from the federal government. This bill <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280073256\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">passed the Legislature<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> last year, but died on the Appropriations Table when the Legislature adjourned early. A public hearing was held Feb. 24 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=372&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3\">read the testimony<\/a>) and the majority of members on the Committee on Health and Human Services voted the bill &#8220;ought to pass.&#8221; Legislators decided to carry the bill over to 2022 to continue work on bill language and funding. The bill passed under the hammer in the House and Senate (no roll call). Legislators included funding for the measure in the supplemental budget, which was signed into law by the governor.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9874\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/nurse-helping-senior-man-enter-a-van\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/bigstock-203332603.jpg?fit=1600%2C1067&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1600,1067\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 5D Mark III&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;nurse helping senior man enter a van&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Bigstock&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;nurse helping senior man enter a van&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"nurse helping senior man enter a van\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;nurse helping senior man enter a van&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/bigstock-203332603.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/bigstock-203332603.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-9874 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/bigstock-203332603.jpg?resize=120%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/bigstock-203332603.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/bigstock-203332603.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=120%2C120&amp;ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/bigstock-203332603.jpg?zoom=3&amp;resize=120%2C120&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 120px) 100vw, 120px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD17\">Expanding MaineCare transportation coverage.<\/b><\/span> <span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280078047\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 17, Resolve, To Provide Rural Nonmedical Transportation Services to the Elderly and Adults with Disabilities Receiving Home and Community Benefits under the MaineCare Program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/senate\/district-13\/9539\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sen. Chloe Maxmin (D-Lincoln)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill seeks to create a pilot program to provide seniors and adults with disabilities greater access to their communities by expanding MaineCare coverage of non-medical transportation for basic needs to people who have no other means of transportation. Currently, MaineCare provides reimbursement for transportation for non-emergency medical appointments. LD 17\u00a0 would expand that coverage to include non-medical appointments for people who receive services through Section 19, which includes seniors and people with disabilities age 18 and over who qualify for nursing facility level of care. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.semanticscholar.org\/paper\/AGING-AMERICANS%3A-STRANDED-WITHOUT-OPTIONS-Bailey\/67623554cf48e8357290b23291b5c20be7448b47\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studies suggest<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that 21% of people 65 and older don\u2019t drive; far more have no transportation options. These non-drivers are more likely to skip doctor\u2019s visits and make fewer trips out to eat, shop, or visit with friends and families. In Maine, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/getTestimonyDoc.asp?id=115003\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">72% of seniors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> live in communities without access to fixed or flex route transit systems. The legislation would also expand transportation access to <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/getTestimonyDoc.asp?id=114998\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">people with disabilities<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which could allow them to remain independent. Currently, 1,600 people receive Section 19 waivers and could benefit from expanded MaineCare access. The pilot project would last 18 months and be followed by a report outlining how such a program would be implemented statewide. The bill was originally introduced in the 2020 session, and was approved by the Committee on Health and Health Services (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1142&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=129&amp;sec3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">read the testimony<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). An early adjournment due to the COVID-19 pandemic prevented a floor vote on the bill, so it begins the legislative process anew this session. A public hearing was held Feb. 10 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=17&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3\">read the testimony<\/a>) and <a href=\"https:\/\/mainebeacon.com\/transportation-pilot-for-older-mainers-people-with-disabilities-passes-committee\/\">voted unanimously<\/a> that the bill Ought to Pass. The bill passed the Senate and House on a voice vote (no roll call).<br \/><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>STATUS:<\/strong><\/span> Thanks to public press, a similar program was funded through the Department of Health and Human Services, so this legislation was no longer needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD996\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11804\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/dental-care-square\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/dental-care-square.jpg?fit=845%2C674&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"845,674\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1618917807&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"dental care square\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/dental-care-square.jpg?fit=300%2C239&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/dental-care-square.jpg?fit=845%2C674&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11804 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/dental-care-square.jpg?resize=151%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"151\" height=\"120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/dental-care-square.jpg?resize=300%2C239&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/dental-care-square.jpg?resize=768%2C613&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/dental-care-square.jpg?w=845&amp;ssl=1 845w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 151px) 100vw, 151px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Expanding dental care for more Mainers. <\/b><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079463\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 996, An Act To Improve Dental Health for Maine Children and Adults with Low Incomes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/63\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MaineCare provides preventive dental care for children but is one of only 10 state Medicaid programs to offer <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainecahc.org\/guide-to-maine-health-care\/other-helpful-programs\/dental-help\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">emergency-only<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> coverage for adults. LD 996 would change that by adding preventive, diagnostic, and restorative dental services for adults 21 years and older, expanding dental care to more than 200,000 Mainers. Studies suggest dental disease was the<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/muskie.usm.maine.edu\/Publications\/PHHP\/Maine-Emergency-Department-Use.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> most common reason for ER visits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for Mainers age 15-44 who receive MaineCare or who are uninsured. According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ada.org\/~\/media\/ADA\/Science%20and%20Research\/HPI\/OralHealthWell-Being-StateFacts\/Maine-Oral-Health-Well-Being.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American Dental Association<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 1 in 5 low-income Mainers say their mouth and teeth are in poor condition and that the appearance of their teeth has negatively impacted their performance in job interviews. More than 60% of those who failed to seek dental care in the previous year cited cost as the reason. Indeed, Mainers with the lowest incomes are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mecep.org\/blog\/dental-care-is-health-care-mainecare-should-cover-it\/\">9 times more likely<\/a> to have skipped dental care for more than 5 years.\u00a0Research suggests that preventive dental care is far less expensive than emergency treatment and can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ajpmonline.org\/article\/S0749-3797(14)00153-6\/fulltext\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">improve overall health<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In fact, an analysis by the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mainepcoh.org\/publications\/ADA_HPI_Estimating_the_Cost_of_MADB_in_Maine_FINAL.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Health Policy Institute<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> suggests that within 3 years of passage, LD 996 could result in a savings of nearly $4 million to the state in reduced medical costs from people with diabetes, heart disease, and pregnant people alone. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That investment would yield an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mainepcoh.org\/publications\/ADA_HPI_Estimating_the_Cost_of_MADB_in_Maine_FINAL.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">economic return of $21.6 million annually<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through an increase in federal funds and an increase in dental spending, with the largest boost coming to Maine\u2019s rural areas. This bill was first introduced in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2019\/01\/24\/maine-lawmaker-proposing-medicaid-dental-benefit-for-adults\/\">2019<\/a> and again in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2020\/01\/23\/dental-benefits-bill-advocates-press-mills-for-support\/\">2020<\/a>. Learn more in this <a href=\"https:\/\/maineequaljustice.org\/toolkits\/dental-care-is-health-care\/\">toolkit from Maine Equal Justice<\/a>. The Committee on Health and Human Services held a public hearing April 26 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=996&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the public testimony<\/a>) and voted unanimously that the bill Ought to Pass as Amended. The bill passed the House and Senate by a voice vote (no roll call).<br \/><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>FUNDED.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0The supplemental budget passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor includes funding to expand MaineCare to cover preventive, diagnostic, and restorative dental services to adults. That means that passing a law requiring funding isn&#8217;t necessary.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1679\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"2602\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/support-maine-students-ban-lunch-shaming-restore-funding-school-health-centers\/school-breakfast-and-school-lunch-at-washington-lee-high-school-arlington-virginia\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/20111025-FNS-RBN-School_Lunch_-_Flickr_-_USDAgov_2.jpg?fit=2100%2C1500&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2100,1500\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;6.3&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Office of Communications-Creativ&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D2X&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Students at Washington-Lee High School select a healthy choice of a parfait of yogurt, fruit and granola along with a blueberry muffin for breakfast Wednesday, October 25, 2011, the school breakfast and lunch are prepared by Arlington Public Schools, Food and Nutrition Services for the National School Lunch Program. The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service operating in public, nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1319530615&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Public Domain&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;26&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.02&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;School Breakfast and School Lunch at Washington-Lee High School Arlington, Virginia&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"School Breakfast and School Lunch at Washington-Lee High School Arlington, Virginia\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/20111025-FNS-RBN-School_Lunch_-_Flickr_-_USDAgov_2.jpg?fit=300%2C214&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/20111025-FNS-RBN-School_Lunch_-_Flickr_-_USDAgov_2.jpg?fit=1024%2C731&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-2602\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/20111025-FNS-RBN-School_Lunch_-_Flickr_-_USDAgov_2.jpg?resize=120%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/20111025-FNS-RBN-School_Lunch_-_Flickr_-_USDAgov_2.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/20111025-FNS-RBN-School_Lunch_-_Flickr_-_USDAgov_2.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=120%2C120&amp;ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/20111025-FNS-RBN-School_Lunch_-_Flickr_-_USDAgov_2.jpg?zoom=3&amp;resize=120%2C120&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 120px) 100vw, 120px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Feed Maine\u2019s schoolchildren.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?paper=SP0540&amp;SessionID=14\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1679: An Act to Address Student Hunger through Expanding Access to Free School Meals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/District-1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Aroostook)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This legislation would provide breakfast and lunch to all K-12 school children in Maine, part of a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.k12dive.com\/news\/more-states-expanding-students-access-to-free-school-meals\/570721\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">growing national trend<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to expand free school meals, regardless of their ability to pay. Maine has the highest child hunger rate in New England, with <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/mainelockerproject.org\/whats-the-problem\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 in 5 children<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> regularly experiencing food insecurity. Before the pandemic, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/datacenter.kidscount.org\/data\/tables\/1566-school-children-eligible-for-subsidized-school-lunch?loc=21&amp;loct=2#detailed\/2\/any\/false\/574,1729,37,871,870,573,869,36,868,867\/any\/12834,3339\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">44% of school children in Maine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> were eligible for free school meals, and officials expect that number and child food insecurity <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/feedingamericaaction.org\/resources\/state-by-state-resource-the-impact-of-coronavirus-on-food-insecurity\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to increase<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a result of the pandemic. Nationally, Black and Latinx families are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rockefellerfoundation.org\/blog\/the-universal-free-school-meal-experiment\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">twice as likely<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to be impacted by poverty and food insecurity than white families, making access to free school meals an equity issue. Even with more children eligible for free meals, the current system for collecting family income data and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/schoolnutrition.org\/uploadedFiles\/5_News_and_Publications\/4_The_Journal_of_Child_Nutrition_and_Management\/Fall_2016\/BarriersandAdvantagestoStudentParticipation.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stigma<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> associated with receiving assistance create barriers to participation. About 75% of schools participating in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/schoolnutrition.org\/news-publications\/press-releases\/2018\/sna-survey-reveals-innovative-efforts-to-boost-consumption-curb-waste-in-school-cafeterias\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a 2018 national survey<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> reported unpaid student meal debt. Child nutrition programs such as universal school meals <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rockefellerfoundation.org\/blog\/the-universal-free-school-meal-experiment\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">address these issues<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, while also reducing food insecurity, preventing obesity, improving overall health, and boosting learning and development. A number of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.childrensdefense.org\/blog\/universal-school-meals\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. cities<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> already provide free meals to all students, including Houston, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, and New York City. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/edsource.org\/2021\/california-moving-to-pioneer-free-meals-for-all-students\/652779\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">California<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vermontbiz.com\/news\/2021\/april\/30\/vermont-senate-gives-preliminary-approval-universal-school-breakfast-bill\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vermont<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are considering similar legislation to the bill proposed in Maine. The USDA expanded the federal school meal program to all students early in the pandemic, a policy the Biden administration recently extended through the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/business\/2021\/04\/20\/usda-extends-universal-free-lunch\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2021-2022 school year<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. LD 1679 would ensure all Maine school children would receive meals after that program ends. The Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs held a public hearing May 20 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1679&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the testimony<\/a>) and voted that the bill Ought to Pass. <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>FUNDED.<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the Senate 33-0 and the House 117-26 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280080767\">see how your legislators voted<\/a>). The supplemental budget passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor includes funding for universal school meals for all Maine schoolchildren beginning in 2022-2023 school year. That means that passing a law requiring funding isn&#8217;t necessary.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD265\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11567\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/lifeline\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Lifeline.jpg?fit=977%2C911&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"977,911\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1613997966&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Lifeline\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Lifeline.jpg?fit=300%2C280&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Lifeline.jpg?fit=977%2C911&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11567 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Lifeline.jpg?resize=110%2C110&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"110\" height=\"110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Lifeline.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Lifeline.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=110%2C110&amp;ssl=1 220w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Lifeline.jpg?zoom=3&amp;resize=110%2C110&amp;ssl=1 330w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 110px) 100vw, 110px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Expanded coverage for postpartum care.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?paper=SP0114&amp;SessionID=14\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 265, An Act To Provide Women Access to Affordable Postpartum Care<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0 Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/senate\/district-29\/9555\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sen. Anne Carney (D-Cumberland)<\/span><\/a><\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MaineCare coverage for postpartum care currently ends at 60 days after childbirth, leaving many new mothers without health insurance when they need it the most. LD 265 would allow for 12 months of coverage during the postpartum period, a time when <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/science-and-health\/2017\/6\/26\/15872734\/postnatal-care-america\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">significant health challenges<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can arise, including pregnancy-related complications such as pelvic floor disorders, pelvic organ prolapse, or a separation in the abdominal wall called diastasis recti. Postpartum depression, another condition that may not appear until <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nih.gov\/news-events\/nih-research-matters\/postpartum-depression-may-last-years\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">months after childbirth<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, affects about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/postpartum-depression-in-women-of-color-more-work-needs-to-be-done#1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 in 9 people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can persist for years. In 2019-20, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthaffairs.org\/do\/10.1377\/hblog20210111.655056\/full\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">21 states and Washington, DC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> took legislative action to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage. Federal coverage through Medicaid has also been extended to 12 months during the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acog.org\/practice-management\/payment-resources\/resources\/postpartum-medicaid-coverage-extended-during-covid-19\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">COVID-19 crisis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, renewing discussions to make it permanent through federal legislation. This comes at a time when the U.S. has the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/health-shots\/2019\/01\/24\/686790727\/fourth-trimester-problems-can-have-long-term-effects-on-a-moms-health\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">highest rate<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of pregnancy-related deaths among industrialized nations, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mmwr\/volumes\/68\/wr\/mm6818e1.htm?s_cid=mm6818e1_w\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one-third<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of which happen during the postpartum period. Low-income Black, Native American, Alaskan Native, and Latinx women are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthaffairs.org\/do\/10.1377\/hblog20210111.655056\/full\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">particularly hard hit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with significantly higher rates of maternal mortality and morbidity. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthaffairs.org\/do\/10.1377\/hblog20200203.639479\/full\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One out of every three pregnant people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the U.S. experience health insurance disruptions at some point before, during, or after pregnancy. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commonwealthfund.org\/publications\/issue-briefs\/2021\/jan\/closing-gaps-maternal-health-postpartum-medicaid-chip#5\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More than half of pregnancy-related mortality<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is preventable, making continuous health coverage all the more critical. A bill similar to LD 265 was introduced in the Legislature <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1957&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=129&amp;sec3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">last year<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with advocates estimating the proposed expansion would <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newscentermaine.com\/article\/news\/politics\/rep-carney-introduces-bill-to-provide-women-access-to-affordable-postpartum-care\/97-e90f6327-e639-482a-8fea-8a08b003d0fc\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cover 700 Maine women<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The bill passed out of committee in early 2020, but the session ended before legislators could vote. A public hearing on LD 265 was held Feb. 24 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=265&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3\">read the testimony<\/a>) and the majority of members on the Committee on Health and Human Services voted the bill &#8220;ought to pass.&#8221; <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>FUNDED.<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the House and Senate by a voice vote (no roll call). The supplemental budget passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor includes funding to expand postpartum coverage under MaineCare. That means that passing a law requiring funding isn&#8217;t necessary.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"HOUSING\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11586\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?fit=740%2C740&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"740,740\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1614628399&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?fit=740%2C740&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11586\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?resize=120%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?w=740&amp;ssl=1 740w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 120px) 100vw, 120px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"HOUSING\">Addressing affordable housing and homelessness in Maine.<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Maine ranks 25<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the nation for housing affordability, with an average rent for a 2-bedroom residence running more than $1,000 a month. The wait list for Maine\u2019s 12,000 Section 8 housing vouchers is more than<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nlihc.org\/housing-needs-by-state\/maine\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 20,000 people long<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with some applicants waiting years to receive one.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased demand in combination with limited affordable housing units has resulted in<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2019\/11\/09\/low-income-families-squeezed-by-limited-housing-options\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> landlords often rejecting vouchers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in favor of renters who can pay more. The lack of affordable housing options is one reason Maine has the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/map-how-many-homeless-americans-there-are-in-each-state-2019-11\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 12th highest rate of homelessness<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the nation and the third highest in New England. These are some of the housing bills we&#8217;ll be tracking in 2022.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"LD211\"><span style=\"color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD473\"><b id=\"LD1508\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/b>Su<\/span>pport for emergency housing shelters.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280078276\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 211, An Act To Support Emergency Shelter Access for Persons Experiencing Homelessness<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/1355\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Kristen Cloutier (D-Lewiston)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, there were an estimated <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usich.gov\/homelessness-statistics\/me\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2,106 people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Maine experiencing homelessness as of January 2019, an increase over previous years. Nearly one-quarter of those who were homeless for the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainehousing.org\/docs\/default-source\/housing-reports\/2019-point-in-time-survey.pdf?sfvrsn=6d6fb415_4\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2019 Point in Time<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> analysis were under the age of 18 and one-third were people of color, high figures considering just <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.census.gov\/quickfacts\/ME\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">18.5% of Maine\u2019s population<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are children and only about 5% are people of color. Although data from 2020 are pending, early estimates indicate a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2020\/11\/16\/news\/portland\/homelessness-in-portland-approaches-record-high-amid-pandemic\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sharp increase<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in homelessness in Maine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the number of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2020\/10\/19\/news\/bangor\/bangor-confronts-a-growing-homeless-population-and-it-has-no-quick-fixes\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">unsheltered people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> thought to be on the rise as well. Maine\u2019s emergency housing shelters were already short on beds and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainepublic.org\/post\/pandemic-has-advocates-rethinking-maines-homeless-shelters-and-resource-system\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pandemic has tested<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> them even further. LD 211 would provide an additional $3 million a year through 2023 for Maine\u2019s emergency shelters. A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wgme.com\/news\/local\/maine-lawmakers-introduce-bill-to-boost-funding-for-homeless-shelters\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">similar bill<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was voted out of committee in 2020, but the Legislature adjourned before legislators could vote on it. LD 211 had a public hearing before the Committee on Labor and Housing on Feb. 17 (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=211&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">read the testimony<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and received a majority &#8220;Ought to pass&#8221; vote by committee members. The bill passed the House and Senate by voice vote (no roll call) and received funding through Maine&#8217;s portion of the American Rescue Plan Act.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"LD473\"><span style=\"color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1508\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/b>Providing<\/span> rental assistance.<\/b><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280078761\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> LD 473, An Act To Create the Maine Rental Assistance Program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor:<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/1348\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Rep. Victoria Morales (D-South Portland)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine does not provide enough affordable housing assistance to meet the demand, with a wait list of 20,000 people for section 8 vouchers. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nlihc.org\/housing-needs-by-state\/maine\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">59% of renters<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who qualify face a severe cost burden, spending more than half their income on housing and utilities. For an extremely low-income family of four, that means annual income not over $25,100. Yet the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nlihc.org\/housing-needs-by-state\/maine\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> income required to afford a 2-bedroom apartment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at HUD\u2019s fair market rate for Maine is $41,156. The lack of affordable housing options is one reason Maine has the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/map-how-many-homeless-americans-there-are-in-each-state-2019-11\"> 12th highest rate of homelessness<\/a> in the nation and the third highest in New England. LD 473 would address this issue by creating The Maine Rental Assistance and Voucher Guarantee Program, within Maine State Housing Authority. The program would provide financial help for up to 1,000 Maine households and create a network of housing counselors to help people find and keep stable housing. The <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/LBHS\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Committee on Labor and Housing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> held a public hearing March 3 (read the testimony) and voted that the bill Ought to Pass.\u00a0The bill passed the House 82-61 and the Senate 22-12 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280078761\">see how your rep voted<\/a>) and received funding through Maine&#8217;s portion of the American Rescue Plan Act.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>BILLS THAT DIED<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Unfortunately, some of the bills we supported either died in the Legislature or were vetoed by the governor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1686\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"12391\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/stand-with-wabanaki\/1-insta\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-insta.jpg?fit=2160%2C2160&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2160,2160\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"1 insta\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-insta.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-insta.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-12391 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1-insta.jpg?resize=120%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Restoring Tribal Sovereignty. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/bills\/display_ps.asp?snum=130&amp;paper=HP1210PID=1456\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1626, An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/56\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would restore tribal sovereignty to the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians by enacting most of the consensus recommendations from a bipartisan task force convened to address long-standing issues with the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act (MICSA) and the state law that accompanied it, the Maine Implementing Act. Passed in 1980, the settlement was a negotiation between the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and the state and federal governments. Even though tribes in Maine never ceded federally recognized rights, the state and courts have for 40 years used language in the settlement to treat the tribes as little more than municipalities, leaving them with fewer rights than all other federally recognized tribes across the country. LD 1626, which is supported by the Wabanaki Alliance, is an omnibus bill to enact most of those recommendations. <\/span>Learn more about the legislation from the <a href=\"https:\/\/wabanakialliance.com\/take-action\/\"><strong>Wabanaki Alliance<\/strong><\/a>. The Committee on the Judiciary held a public hearing on the bill February 15, which drew more than 1,600 written testimonies and more than 100 oral testimonies in support of the legislation (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1626&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the public testimony<\/a>). After multiple work sessions, the majority of the committee voted that the bill Ought to Pass. <br \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\">DEAD: <\/span><\/b><\/span>The bill passed 88-51 in the House (<a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280080665\">see how your legislator voted<\/a>) and unanimously in the Senate, but died on the special appropriations table after Gov. Mills <a href=\"https:\/\/mainebeacon.com\/advocates-rally-for-tribal-sovereignty-as-mills-signals-opposition-to-long-sought-reform\/\">threatened to veto<\/a> the legislation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD202\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"6517\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/rcv-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/rcv.png?fit=800%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"800,800\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"rcv\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/rcv.png?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/rcv.png?fit=800%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-6517\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/rcv.png?resize=110%2C110&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"110\" height=\"110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/rcv.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/rcv.png?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/rcv.png?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/rcv.png?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 110px) 100vw, 110px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Implement rank choice voting for state races.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280078265\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 202, RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Implement Ranked-choice Voting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/District-12\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sen. David Miramant (D-Knox)<\/span><\/a><\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would amend the state Constitution to apply instant runoff voting\u2014known as ranked-choice voting (RCV)\u2014to the governor\u2019s and legislative races. RCV ensures that only candidates who win at least 50.1% of the vote are elected to office. Currently, Maine can use RCV only for Congressional elections. Maine voters overwhelmingly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2016\/12\/03\/us\/maine-ranked-choice-voting.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">approved instant-runoff voting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2016 and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2018\/06\/13\/politics\/early-returns-show-evenly-split-electorate-on-ranked-choice-voting\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">again in June 2018<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. RCV was used twice in 2018, for the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2018\/06\/20\/ranked-choice-voting-tabulation-to-start-at-6-p-m\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gubernatorial primaries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2018\/11\/08\/politics\/house-race-maine-ranked-choice-voting\/index.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. Senate and House races<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Senate and House races did not go to RCV in 2020, but it was used in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/election-2020-referendums-elections-maine-courts-b5ddd0854037e9687e952cd79e1526df\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">presidential race<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> following passage of a law in 2019. Following Maine\u2019s success with RCV and its growing popularity among voters, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2018\/11\/18\/maines-pioneering-ranked-choice-election-likely-to-catch-on-nationally\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">other states<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> began considering adopting instant-runoff voting as well. In 2020, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/research\/elections-and-campaigns\/the-rise-of-ranked-choice-voting.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">22 states<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and Washington, D.C. introduced legislation to use ranked-choice voting in elections at various levels. Despite criticism from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sunjournal.com\/2019\/04\/01\/house-gop-leader-kevin-mccarthy-assails-ranked-choice-voting-in-maine\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">some Republican<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> politicians, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.rcvmaine.com\/republicans\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">RCV does have Republican backers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. An exit poll taken on the day of the 2018 midterm elections asked voters whether they think winning at least 50% of the vote in an election is important. There was <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2019\/03\/12\/opinion\/contributors\/what-mainers-really-think-of-ranked-choice-voting\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">broad bipartisan agreement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with 93% of Democrats, 72% of Republicans, and 81% of Independents saying candidates should only be elected if they capture more than 50% of the votes cast. A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainepublic.org\/post\/maine-runs-another-setback-expand-ranked-choice-voting-system\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">similar bill<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was defeated in the Maine Legislature in 2019. Learn more about RCV from the Maine <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/sos\/cec\/elec\/upcoming\/rcv.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Secretary of State<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs held a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.penbaypilot.com\/article\/sen-miramant-s-ranked-choice-voting-expansion-bill-receives-public-hearing\/143520\">public hearing<\/a> Feb. 10 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=202&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3\">read the testimony<\/a>) and the majority of committee members voted the people <a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2021\/03\/29\/politics\/maine-eyes-constitutional-amendment-for-more-ranked-choice-voting\/\">Ought to Pass<\/a>. <br \/><b><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\">DEAD: <\/span><\/b>The bill passed the Senate 21-12 and in the House 77-65 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280078265\">see how your legislators voted<\/a>), but the vote in the House failed to reach the two-thirds majority required for a constitutional amendment.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"6084\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/3-era-now\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/3-ERA-NOW.jpg?fit=800%2C600&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"800,600\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"3 ERA NOW\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Courtesy of Equal Rights Maine.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/3-ERA-NOW.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/3-ERA-NOW.jpg?fit=800%2C600&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-6084 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/3-ERA-NOW.jpg?resize=111%2C111&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"111\" height=\"111\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/3-ERA-NOW.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/3-ERA-NOW.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=111%2C111&amp;ssl=1 222w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/3-ERA-NOW.jpg?zoom=3&amp;resize=111%2C111&amp;ssl=1 333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 111px) 100vw, 111px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD344\">State Equal Rights Amendment.<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280078554\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 344, RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Explicitly Prohibit Discrimination Based on the Sex of an Individual<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/133\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Lois Reckitt (D-South Portland)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A bill to amend the state constitution to prohibit sex discrimination will be re-introduced this year. If passed, Maine would become the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.equalrightsamendment.org\/faq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">26th state<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to adopt a state constitutional Equal Rights Amendment. Legislators came close to passing a state ERA in 2017, but <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2017\/05\/16\/politics\/maine-republicans-block-new-statewide-equal-rights-amendment-vote\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Republicans blocked<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the two-thirds passage required for state constitutional amendments. The bill came close again in 2020, but the session adjourned before final votes could be taken. ERA opponents say sex discrimination is already banned in existing federal law and the 14th and 19th amendments of the U.S. Constitution. However, legal scholars\u2014including <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/scalia-constitution-doesnt-protect-women-or-gays-from-discrimination\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supreme Court justices<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014have said those <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.equalrightsmaine.org\/the-14th-amendment-falls-short\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">amendments don\u2019t prohibit sex discrimination<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Current laws only protect federal and state employees and public school students and can be repealed by Congress. In Maine, the Maine Human Rights Commission (MHRC) is responsible for handling sex discrimination cases, according to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The MHRC has a mandate from the legislature to cover certain areas of sex discrimination, but a number of important issues aren&#8217;t included, such as claims about sexual assault and domestic violence, issues of female incarceration, women&#8217;s pensions, and insurance discrimination. A state ERA would broaden the mandate for the MHRC to more fully do its job. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constitutional amendments must be passed by two-thirds majorities in the Senate and House and then go to the voters for passage. The Committee on the Judiciary held a public hearing January 11, receiving nearly 200 letters of testimony in support of the legislation. (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=344&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">Read the testimony<\/a>). The committee will hold a work session January 20 and voted that the bill Ought to Pass. The bill passed in the House and Senate (<a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280078554\">see how your legislators voted<\/a>), but not by the two-thirds majorities required to send the amendment to the voters for consideration. Only one Republican (Sen. Kim Rosen of Hancock County) voted in support.\u00a0<br \/><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\">DEAD: <\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bill passed in the House and Senate (<a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280078554\">see how your legislators voted<\/a>), but not by the two-thirds majorities required to send the amendment to the voters for consideration. Only one Republican (Sen. Kim Rosen of Hancock County) voted in support.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD489\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11605\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/154295977_109340487871688_8880117233878155292_o\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/154295977_109340487871688_8880117233878155292_o.png?fit=1501%2C1501&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1501,1501\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"154295977_109340487871688_8880117233878155292_o\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/154295977_109340487871688_8880117233878155292_o.png?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/154295977_109340487871688_8880117233878155292_o.png?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11605\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/154295977_109340487871688_8880117233878155292_o.png?resize=110%2C110&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"110\" height=\"110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/154295977_109340487871688_8880117233878155292_o.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/154295977_109340487871688_8880117233878155292_o.png?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/154295977_109340487871688_8880117233878155292_o.png?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/154295977_109340487871688_8880117233878155292_o.png?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/154295977_109340487871688_8880117233878155292_o.png?resize=1080%2C1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/154295977_109340487871688_8880117233878155292_o.png?w=1501&amp;ssl=1 1501w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 110px) 100vw, 110px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>State environmental rights amendment.<\/span> <\/b><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280078795\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 489, RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Establish a Right to a Healthy Environment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/senate\/district-13\/9539\">Sen. Chloe Maxmin (D-Lincoln)<\/a>.<br \/>This bipartisan bill would add an amendment to the Maine Constitution asserting that all people in the state have a right to \u201ca clean and healthy environment and to the preservation of the natural, cultural, recreational, scenic and healthful qualities of the environment.\u201d Maine is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quorum.us\/spreadsheet\/external\/nlptAZDVVYWPYuhVvWsH\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one of 11 states<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> considering legislation to create a state environmental rights amendment this year. Montana and Pennsylvania have had similar amendments on the books for nearly 50 years and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/patch.com\/new-york\/across-ny\/ny-environmental-rights-amendment-heads-voters\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New York voters<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will have a chance to amend that state\u2019s constitution this fall. Environmental protection amendments such as this one, which sponsors are calling the \u201cPine Tree Amendment,\u201d give <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncel.net\/2020\/11\/06\/breaking-down-state-green-amendments\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">environmental rights<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the same weight as other constitutional guarantees, such as freedom of speech, which also offers a high level of legal defensibility. Constitutional amendments in Maine require a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers for the amendment to go on the ballot for voters to decide. The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">public hearing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> March 8 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=489&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3\">read the public testimony<\/a>) and voted 7-3 that the bill &#8220;ought to pass.&#8221; The bill passed the House and Senate in preliminary votes on April 28, but the legislation has more hurdles to clear, with two-thirds majorities required in both chambers to pass in the next round of voting. Bill supporters decided to carry the bill over from 2021 to allow more time to work with legislators to achieve the two-thirds majority required. Learn more about the amendment and its sponsors <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PineTreeAmendment\/\"><b>HERE<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">DEAD.<\/span><\/strong><\/span> The bill failed to get the two-thirds votes required to go to the voters and is dead.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"LD1463\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"12131\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/shutterstock_279139082-1068x713\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/shutterstock_279139082-1068x713-1.jpg?fit=1068%2C713&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1068,713\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"shutterstock_279139082-1068&#215;713\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/shutterstock_279139082-1068x713-1.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/shutterstock_279139082-1068x713-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C684&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-12131\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/shutterstock_279139082-1068x713-1.jpg?resize=122%2C122&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"122\" height=\"122\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Fixing the \u201cfamily glitch\u201d in health care. <\/b><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?paper=HP1079&amp;SessionID=14\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1463, An Act To Make Health Care Coverage More Affordable for Working Families and Small Businesses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor:<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/55\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Rep. Denise Tepler (D-Topsham)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would fix the \u201cfamily glitch\u201d in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which affects about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kff.org\/health-reform\/issue-brief\/the-aca-family-glitch-and-affordability-of-employer-coverage\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">34,000 families in Maine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Workers whose employer-provided health insurance premiums cost more than 9.83% of their salary are eligible for ACA subsidies to help offset those costs. But the cost threshold only applies to the worker\u2019s premium, not their dependents, leaving families with high health insurance premiums and no ACA subsidy to help cover the cost. For many families, that means no health insurance. LD 1463 would address the issue by extending a federal Health Insurance Assessment (HIA) on insurance carriers that ended this year in what some called a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/brucejapsen\/2019\/12\/23\/trump-and-pelosi-bring-15b-gift-to-health-insurers\/?sh=4631dfd425ad\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cgift\u201d to insurance companies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Despite promises to use the added income to help consumers, some companies <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/humana-aca-health-insurance-tax-repeal-57d0d323-b225-4205-8841-1963cca50ba5.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">returned those savings to investors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, despite <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jama\/fullarticle\/2772481\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reporting record profits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2020. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nj.gov\/governor\/news\/news\/562020\/approved\/20200731a.shtml\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Jersey<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/stateofreform.com\/featured\/2020\/06\/colorado-legislature-passes-bill-to-create-colorado-health-insurance-affordability-enterprise\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colorado<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.billtrack50.com\/BillDetail\/935965\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maryland<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legis.delaware.gov\/BillDetail\/47632\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Delaware<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have all passed laws to continue collecting the HIA at the state level. Similar legislation has also been proposed in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/Legislation\/Legislation?chamber=H&amp;legType=B&amp;legNo=278&amp;year=20\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Mexico<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In Maine, an estimated $35.5 million would be generated annually by a state HIA, which would go into a Health Care Affordability Fund to provide subsidies to lower insurance costs for working families stuck in the family glitch, others with low incomes, and Mainers who don\u2019t qualify for MaineCare or ACA coverage. The fund could also be used to provide assistance to small businesses struggling to afford coverage for their employees. Businesses would be allowed to deduct a portion of the fee on their federal taxes, effectively paying 21% less than they were with the federal HIA. The Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services held a hearing May 12 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1463&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the testimony<\/a>). <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">DEAD. SORT OF.<\/span><\/strong><\/span> The bill was carried over to the 2022 session, with the committee ultimately voting that it Ought Not to Pass after the Biden administration <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/governor\/mills\/news\/governor-mills-welcomes-federal-proposal-fix-family-glitch-and-expand-affordable-health\">issued a proposal<\/a> to fix the family glitch at the federal level.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"HOUSING\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11586\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?fit=740%2C740&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"740,740\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1614628399&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?fit=740%2C740&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11586\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?resize=120%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8aeed811-07e3-4b39-8f34-a127dcca49d2_1920x1080.jpg?w=740&amp;ssl=1 740w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 120px) 100vw, 120px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"HOUSING\">Addressing affordable housing and homelessness in Maine.<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Maine ranks 25<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the nation for housing affordability, with an average rent for a 2-bedroom residence running more than $1,000 a month. The wait list for Maine\u2019s 12,000 Section 8 housing vouchers is more than<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nlihc.org\/housing-needs-by-state\/maine\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 20,000 people long<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with some applicants waiting years to receive one.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased demand in combination with limited affordable housing units has resulted in<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2019\/11\/09\/low-income-families-squeezed-by-limited-housing-options\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> landlords often rejecting vouchers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in favor of renters who can pay more. The lack of affordable housing options is one reason Maine has the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/map-how-many-homeless-americans-there-are-in-each-state-2019-11\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 12th highest rate of homelessness<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the nation and the third highest in New England. These are some of the housing bills we&#8217;ll be tracking in 2022.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1337\"><span style=\"color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1508\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/b>S<\/span>upporting housing programs and stabilizing property taxes.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280080078&amp;fbclid=IwAR2P17LZRzeQ9ZEQ-zpzsOUGf3b6GD9StTp7-iALg7ltu8PEueLQnO77JRU\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1337, An Act To Increase Affordable Housing and Reduce Property Taxes through an Impact Fee on Vacant Residences<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/1384\">Rep. Christopher Kessler (D-South Portland)<\/a>.<\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would address Maine\u2019s housing crisis by encouraging owners of homes that stand vacant for half the year to put those homes to use for housing, while raising millions of dollars to fund housing programs and stabilize property taxes for Maine residents. An estimated 140,000 residences in Maine\u201419% of all the homes in the state\u2014remain vacant much of the year, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ipx1031.com\/vacation-hot-spots\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the largest percentage in the country<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Under LD 1337, an owner of a residential property that is not used as a primary residence for at least 6 months of the year would pay an impact fee of .05% of the home\u2019s assessed value. The bill exempts most Mainers, including snowbirds, people with low incomes, and those with seasonal camps, and owners could avoid the fee by renting out their residence. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2021\/04\/12\/bill-would-impose-new-fees-on-vacation-homes-short-term-rentals\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bill\u2019s sponsors note<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that while many of Maine\u2019s coastal towns are in the midst of a dire housing crisis, far too many homes remain empty much of the year. In Kennebunkport, for example, 47% of the homes are seasonal or vacant. A recent demand for housing has sparked a dramatic increase in housing prices over the past year, with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2020\/12\/22\/maine-home-sales-continue-to-break-records-despite-pandemic\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prices up 20%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Those high prices come at a time when there are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sunjournal.com\/2021\/04\/09\/selling-a-maine-home-is-easy-but-buying-not-so-much\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fewer houses for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and amid a serious <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nlihc.org\/housing-needs-by-state\/maine\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lack of affordable rental housing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, leaving many Mainers unable to find or afford a home. In fact, a study by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainehousing.org\/policy-research\/housing-data\">Maine State Housing Authority<\/a> found that rent was unaffordable in 15 of the state&#8217;s 16 counties and home prices were too high for families with media incomes in 7 counties. LD 1337 addresses that by directing half the funds raised from the impact fee to the HOME Fund, which provides funding to build affordable housing and provide assistance to home buyers and owners and services for homeless individuals. The other half would be used to reimburse municipalities for the homestead property tax exemption. Learn more about LD 1337 in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1QbmnhNqdzH3dOnKrqUF_dgjUIy2bKOZeGUHzHJrHUj0\/edit\"><b>this fact sheet<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Rep. Kessler. The Committee on Taxation held a public hearing April 14 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1337&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the public testimony<\/a>) and the bill was carried over to the current session. The committee <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2022\/02\/03\/committee-advances-bill-to-allow-maine-towns-to-collect-fees-on-short-term-rentals\/\">voted favorably<\/a> for an amended version, that would allow, but not require, towns and cities to pass ordinances to impose impact fees on short-term rentals and use that money to support affordable housing. <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">DEAD.<\/span><\/strong><\/span> The bill was defeated in the House 76 to 53. (<a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280080078\">See how your legislator voted.<\/a>) It will still get a vote in the Senate, but it is essentially dead.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"MakingHealthCareWorkforMaine\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11743\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?fit=1500%2C1500&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1500,1500\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11743\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?resize=127%2C127&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"127\" height=\"127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?resize=1080%2C1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/164655255_112892040881909_6665508670232641042_n.jpg?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 127px) 100vw, 127px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Making health care work for more Mainers.<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In 2014, Maine ranked 11th in the nation in per capita health care spending, at an average of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kff.org\/other\/state-indicator\/health-spending-per-capita\/?currentTimeframe=0&amp;sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Health%20Spending%20per%20Capita%22,%22sort%22:%22desc%22%7D\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$9,531 per person<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. That\u2019s a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cms.gov\/research-statistics-data-and-systems\/statistics-trends-and-reports\/nationalhealthexpenddata\/nationalhealthaccountsstatehealthaccountsresidence\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">49% increase<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> since 2000 and more than $1,500 higher than the national average. A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2021\/03\/23\/maine-democrats-take-aim-at-prescription-drug-prices-health-care-costs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">package of health care reform bills<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> seeks to address this issue by reigning in health care spending, holding drug manufacturers responsible for unnecessary price hikes, increasing transparency in prescription drug pricing, and making an emergency supply of insulin available from pharmacies around the state. Called the \u201cMaking Health Care Work for Maine,\u201d the package is among a slate of bills the Legislature will consider to increase health care access for Mainers. Learn more about this package below and in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mecep.org\/blog\/maine-lawmakers-consider-several-bills-to-tackle-rising-health-care-costs\/\">this review from Maine Center for Economic Policy<\/a>. The Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services held public hearings on these bills April 13 (see below for links to testimony) and voted that they all Ought to Pass. Two of the bills, <a href=\"#LD673\">LD 673<\/a> and <a href=\"#LD686\">LD 686<\/a> have been signed into law and <a href=\"#LD120\">LD 120<\/a> is awaiting the governor&#8217;s signature. The final two bills, below, passed the Legislature but were vetoed by the governor. Although the majority of the Senate voted to override the governor&#8217;s veto, the final tally fell short of the two-thirds majority required for the bill to become law over the governor&#8217;s objection.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b><span style=\"color: #00417f;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Blocking unnecessary prescription price increases.<\/b> <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079140\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 675, An Act to Protect Maine Consumers from Unsupported Price Increases on Prescription Medicines by Creating an Independent Review Process<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/District-20\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sen. Ned Claxton (D-Androscoggin)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nashp.org\/rx-legislative-tracker\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 of 5 states<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> considering legislation to block unnecessary prescription drug increases. Prescription drugs account for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/research\/health\/ncsl-prescription-drug-policy-resources-center.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10% of overall health care spending<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the U.S. This bill would block manufacturers from arbitrarily hiking the cost of prescription drugs without a legitimate reason. The legislation levies fines against any company that raises prices without strong clinical evidence supporting the price increase, as determined by the independent Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, which regularly reviews costs of new and expensive prescription drugs. Any fines collected would be deposited in a new Unsupported Prescription Drug Price Increases Fund, which will be used to offset costs to consumers. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=675&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">Read the public testimony<\/a> from the April 13 public hearing. <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">DEAD.<\/span><\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the Senate 24-10 and the House 81-58 but was vetoed by the governor. <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079140\">See how your legislators voted.<\/a><br \/><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><b><span style=\"color: #00417f;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">An end to pharmaceutical price gouging.<\/span><\/span> <\/b><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079688\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1117, An Act to Prevent Excessive Prices for Prescription Drugs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/District-1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Aroostook)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would block pharmaceutical industry price gouging by setting a threshold for maximum price increases for common generic and off-patent prescription drugs. A price increase would be deemed excessive if it exceeds 15% of the wholesale acquisition cost of the previous year or 40% of the previous 3 years or $30 for a 30-day prescription. Any price hikes above these levels would trigger a review by the Maine Attorney General, which could lead to a fine. Maine is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nashp.org\/rx-legislative-tracker\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 of 6 states<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to consider legislation to prevent prescription price gouging. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1117&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">Read the public testimony<\/a> from the April 13 public hearing. <br \/><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\">DEAD.<\/span><\/strong> The bill passed the Senate 23-11 and the House 80-60 but was vetoed by the governor. <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079688\">See how your legislators voted.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"LD1708\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"12155\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/154789617_252770646332823_8795292637118543901_n\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/154789617_252770646332823_8795292637118543901_n.png?fit=400%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"400,400\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"154789617_252770646332823_8795292637118543901_n\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/154789617_252770646332823_8795292637118543901_n.png?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/154789617_252770646332823_8795292637118543901_n.png?fit=400%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-12155\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/154789617_252770646332823_8795292637118543901_n.png?resize=123%2C123&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"123\" height=\"123\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/154789617_252770646332823_8795292637118543901_n.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/154789617_252770646332823_8795292637118543901_n.png?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/154789617_252770646332823_8795292637118543901_n.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 123px) 100vw, 123px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Creating a consumer-owned utility for Maine.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280080894\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1708, An Act To Create the Pine Tree Power Company, a Nonprofit Utility, To Deliver Lower Rates, Reliability and Local Control for Maine Energy Independence<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/15\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Seth Berry (D-Bowdoinham)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would replace foreign investor-owned utilities Central Maine Power (CMP) and Versant with a nonprofit consumer-owned utility (COU) called <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ourpowermaine.org\/faq\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pine Tree Power Company<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, to help the state better meet its climate, energy, and connectivity goals, while delivering electricity more affordably and reliably. It will also improve the state&#8217;s Internet connectivity by cutting pole access costs. Some <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.publicpower.org\/our-members\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2,000 COUs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> already provide electricity to more than 49 million people across the U.S., including residents of about 100 communities in Maine. Nebraska, the only state with 100% consumer-owned power, had the nation\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/news\/best-states\/rankings\/infrastructure\/energy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">most reliable energy grid<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2017. For three years in a row, CMP has been rated<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wgme.com\/news\/i-team\/for-third-year-in-a-row-cmp-ranks-last-in-us-in-customer-satisfaction-survey\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u201cworst in the nation\u201d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for customer satisfaction, has been investigated by the Maine Public Utilities Commission for<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wgme.com\/news\/i-team\/cmp-credits-customers-over-billed-due-to-meter-anomaly\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> overcharging customers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and their mishandling of<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/solar-power-utilities-maine-598def2c3ce44104469350a251088c82\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> solar projects<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and was called out by the state\u2019s public advocate about issuing<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2020\/01\/18\/public-advocate-says-cmp-disconnect-notices-are-scare-tactic\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> disconnect notices<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> during winter. Unlike for-profit companies such as CMP and Versant, COUs are owned by their customers and usually charge far less for electricity. As of January 2021, for example, CMP and Versant charged <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ourpowermaine.org\/the-case-for-consumer-owned\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">58% more<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for residential service than Maine\u2019s existing consumer-owned utilities. And because Pine Tree Power would be run by a board elected by Maine voters, the company would be managed for the benefit of customers, not investors. Under LD 1708, which has bipartisan support, Pine Tree Power would purchase the existing assets of CMP and Versant, including poles and other grid systems, with low-interest bonds. No state funds would be used for the purchase or for Pine Tree Power\u2019s operation, and existing CMP and Versant employees would keep their jobs without cuts to their pay or pensions. Learn more about Pine Tree Power from the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ourpowermaine.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Our Power coalition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Technology held a public hearing May 20 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1708&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the testimony<\/a>) and voted that the bill Ought to Pass as amended. <br \/><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\">DEAD.<\/span><\/strong> After a number of procedural votes, amendments, and floor debates, the bill finally passed the House and Senate but was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/governor\/mills\/sites\/maine.gov.governor.mills\/files\/inline-files\/LD%201708%20Veto%20Letter.pdf\">vetoed<\/a> by the governor. The majority of the House voted to override the veto, but the final tally fell short of the required two-thirds to see the bill become law over the governor&#8217;s objection. <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280080894\">See how your legislators voted.<\/a><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1711\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9626\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/unnamed-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/unnamed.png?fit=220%2C220&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"220,220\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"unnamed\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/unnamed.png?fit=220%2C220&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/unnamed.png?fit=220%2C220&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-9626\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/unnamed.png?resize=125%2C125&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/unnamed.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/unnamed.png?w=220&amp;ssl=1 220w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Ending forced arbitration.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/mainelegislature.org\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280080700\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1711, An Act To Enhance Enforcement of Employment Laws<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/District-1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Aroostook)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would end \u201cforced arbitration,\u201d which blocks employees from suing their employers over lost wages, unsafe working conditions, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mainebeacon.com\/womens-group-calls-out-secret-agreements-that-keep-workplace-sexual-harassment-in-the-dark\/?link_id=0&amp;can_id=2bd22811b97ca6b780f6f37fff9797b7&amp;source=email-protecting-your-rights-at-work&amp;email_referrer=email_716669&amp;email_subject=protecting-your-rights-at-work\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sexual harassment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, racial discrimination, and other labor law violations. Under arbitration, workers must resolve legal disputes through an arbitrator, who is usually chosen by the employer. Only about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https:\/\/www.google.com\/&amp;httpsredir=1&amp;article=1586&amp;context=articles\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 in 5 workers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> win their case through arbitration and their financial settlements are usually far lower than they would be in court. Nationwide, about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.epi.org\/publication\/the-growing-use-of-mandatory-arbitration\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">60 million workers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are unable to sue their employers. An estimated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nelp.org\/publication\/forced-arbitration-helped-employers-who-committed-wage-theft-pocket-40-million-owed-to-maine-workers-in-2019\/#_ednref1\">225 Maine employers<\/a> include forced arbitration provisions in employment contracts, which has allowed employers to pocket about $40 million owed to Maine workers earning less than $13 an hour. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studies suggest violations of Maine\u2019s labor laws are more common than previously reported. A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mecep.org\/blog\/proposed-whistleblower-law-will-help-restore-workers-right-to-hold-bad-bosses-accountable\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2019 report<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found that 7% of Maine workers experience discrimination in the workplace, 5% of hourly wage earners report being paid less than minimum wage at least once in the past year, and another 7% had worked overtime without pay. LD 1711, which would also strengthen current whistleblower protections, addresses this problem as well as a lack of resources within the state Department of Labor. Workers would be allowed to hire a private attorney who would work on behalf of the state, at no cost to taxpayers, essentially increasing the state\u2019s ability to enforce workplace laws without having to hire additional employees. A similar law in California helped the state recoup <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.populardemocracy.org\/sites\/default\/files\/PAGA%20Report_WEB.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more than $88 million<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from employers who violated workplace laws. The legislation would boost funding for the state\u2019s labor law enforcement agency by directing 70% of any financial award to the state, with the remaining 30% going to the attorney and the worker.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bill was introduced last session, but died when the Legislature adjourned early due to the pandemic. The Committee on Labor and Housing held <a href=\"https:\/\/mainebeacon.com\/power-to-the-powerless-maine-workers-ask-for-help-in-fighting-back-against-unfair-legal-practices\/\">a public hearing<\/a> May 21 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1711&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the testimony<\/a>) and voted that the bill Ought to Pass. <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">DEAD.<\/span><\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the Senate 21-13 and in the House 74-55 but was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.maine.gov\/governor\/mills\/sites\/maine.gov.governor.mills\/files\/2021-07\/LD%201711%20Veto%20Letter%20Scan.pdf\">vetoed<\/a> by the governor. The majority of the Senate voted to override the veto, but the final tally fell short of the required two-thirds to see the bill become law over the governor&#8217;s objection. <a href=\"http:\/\/mainelegislature.org\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280080700\">See how your legislators voted.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD962\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9587\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/82288071_118989862940184_5805717906314493952_n\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/82288071_118989862940184_5805717906314493952_n.jpg?fit=960%2C960&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"960,960\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"82288071_118989862940184_5805717906314493952_n\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/82288071_118989862940184_5805717906314493952_n.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/82288071_118989862940184_5805717906314493952_n.jpg?fit=960%2C960&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-9587\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/82288071_118989862940184_5805717906314493952_n.jpg?resize=120%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/82288071_118989862940184_5805717906314493952_n.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/82288071_118989862940184_5805717906314493952_n.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/82288071_118989862940184_5805717906314493952_n.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/82288071_118989862940184_5805717906314493952_n.jpg?w=960&amp;ssl=1 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 120px) 100vw, 120px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Clear the waiting lists.<\/span><\/b><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079425\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 962, An Act To Appropriate Funds To Eliminate Waiting Lists for Home and Community-based Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism, Brain Injury and Other Related Conditions. <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sponsor: Rep. Rebecca Millett (D-Cape Elizabeth) <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would provide needed services for adults with developmental disabilities, autism, and brain injury and similar conditions who are currently on waiting lists for health, home and community-based services through MaineCare, the state\u2019s Medicaid program. These services are provided through waiver programs for Section 29, Section 21, Section 20 or Section 18 of Medicaid. As of January 1, 2021, there were <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/doc\/6158\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2,111 people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on waiting lists for these waivers, the majority of whom are young adults who have recently transitioned or are in the process of transitioning from child services to adult care. Of those on the waitlist, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/doc\/6158\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">608<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are currently not receiving any services at all, while others are covered under different MaineCare sections. Federal funds cover two-thirds of the cost of these waivers, with the state paying for the rest. Although funding for adults with disabilities was increased in the 2019 state budget, an additional <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/doc\/6158\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$28 million a year<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ($16.6 million in 2021-22, $40.1 million in 2022-23)<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is needed to clear the wait lists for these Medicaid section recipients. A similar bill passed out of committee last year but died<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when the legislature adjourned for the pandemic emergency. The Committee on Health and Human Services held a public hearing April 21 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=962&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the public testimony<\/a>) and held a work session May 5.<br \/><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>DEAD.<\/strong><\/span> The HHS Committee unanimously voted that\u00a0 LD 962 Ought Not to Pass, which kills the bill. They chose instead to advance another bill that had many of the same objectives.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD214\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11859\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/qualified-immunity-300x300\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/qualified-immunity-300x300-1.jpeg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"300,300\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"qualified-immunity-300&#215;300\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/qualified-immunity-300x300-1.jpeg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/qualified-immunity-300x300-1.jpeg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11859\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/qualified-immunity-300x300-1.jpeg?resize=120%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/qualified-immunity-300x300-1.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/qualified-immunity-300x300-1.jpeg?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 120px) 100vw, 120px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Increasing law enforcement accountability. <\/b><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280078282\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 214, An Act To Eliminate Qualified Immunity for Police Officers,<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/203\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Jeff Evangelos (I-Friendship)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would eliminate <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawfareblog.com\/what-qualified-immunity-and-what-does-it-have-do-police-reform\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">qualified immunity<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a defense by police officers who violate civil rights. Qualified immunity, which protects government employees against civil litigation for their misconduct, is not a Constitutional right but rather a doctrine developed by the courts. LD 214 seeks to restore accountability and rebuild trust in law enforcement following a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newscentermaine.com\/article\/news\/local\/maine-police-leaders-push-back-against-calls-for-reform-end-to-qualified-immunity\/97-f4801ac1-5ff3-4519-914b-96d8873279eb\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">number of instances<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of excessive force here in Maine and across the nation. Courts have ruled that an officer who commits even a clearly heinous act is protected unless that particular transgression has been ruled unconstitutional, setting a high bar that few cases can meet. Qualified immunity is often used to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/investigates\/section\/usa-police-immunity\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">protect abusive or criminal officers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> even when their actions clearly cross the line. This defense has been successfully invoked to protect law enforcement officers who <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fresnobee.com\/news\/local\/article235405267.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">steal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.courthousenews.com\/panel-urged-to-side-with-cop-who-shot-10-year-old\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shoot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/2020\/6\/3\/21277104\/end-qualified-immunity-police-definition-george-floyd\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">destroy the property of<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the people they are charged with protecting. Opponents to legislation <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2021\/03\/18\/politics\/maine-lawmaker-wants-to-end-qualified-immunity-for-police\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">such as LD 214<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> argue that law enforcement officers could be bankrupted if sued. But research suggests that since officers are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyulawreview.org\/issues\/volume-89-number-3\/police-indemnification\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">almost always indemnified<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, any costs awarded to plaintiffs in lawsuits alleging civil rights violations by law enforcement are covered by the government that employs them. Other common arguments against bills similar to LD 214 have also <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cato.org\/blog\/most-common-defenses-qualified-immunity-why-theyre-wrong\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">been refuted<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including claims that the bills open the door to frivolous lawsuits, create personal financial risk for police officers, and will result in fewer people being willing to do the job. Colorado, Connecticut, New Mexico, and Massachusetts have all passed laws that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.weny.com\/story\/43738238\/states-tackling-qualified-immunity-for-police-as-congress-squabbles-over-the-issue\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">end or limit qualified immunity<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and nearly two dozen other states are considering similar legislation. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/2021\/3\/3\/22295856\/george-floyd-justice-in-policing-act-2021-passed-house\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">George Floyd Police Reform Bill<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that recently passed the House would eliminate qualified immunity for law enforcement, but it has an uphill road in the Senate. The Committee on the Judiciary held a public hearing April 29 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=214&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the public testimony<\/a>) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newscentermaine.com\/article\/news\/politics\/maine-politics\/maine-lawmakers-strike-down-bill-to-end-qualified-immunity-for-police-officers\/97-faa982a6-249e-41ae-beb1-0ac2f56e8110\">voted 9-1<\/a> that it Ought Not to Pass.\u00a0<br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">DEAD.<\/span><\/strong><\/span> The House and the Senate defeated the bill by voice votes (no roll call).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"LD999\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11910\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/62167898_2492668310777202_5551540122534543360_n\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/62167898_2492668310777202_5551540122534543360_n.jpg?fit=558%2C558&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"558,558\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1619869991&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"62167898_2492668310777202_5551540122534543360_n\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/62167898_2492668310777202_5551540122534543360_n.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/62167898_2492668310777202_5551540122534543360_n.jpg?fit=558%2C558&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11910\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/62167898_2492668310777202_5551540122534543360_n.jpg?resize=125%2C125&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/62167898_2492668310777202_5551540122534543360_n.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/62167898_2492668310777202_5551540122534543360_n.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/62167898_2492668310777202_5551540122534543360_n.jpg?w=558&amp;ssl=1 558w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Reducing gun violence with stronger background checks.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079466\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 999, An Act Regarding Background Checks in the Sale of Firearms<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/56\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Known as \u201cDarien\u2019s Law,\u201d this bill would require background checks on certain private sales and transfers of firearms, including advertised sales and sales at gun shows. Modeled on the bipartisan <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/thetwo-way\/2013\/04\/10\/176779165\/friends-and-neighbors-exception-part-of-deal-on-gun-checks\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manchin\/Toomey bill of 2013<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> supported by Maine Sen. Susan Collins, LD 999 does not require background checks for sales or transfers between friends, families, and loans for hunting and sporting purposes, in emergency situations, or for antiques. Under <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/giffords.org\/lawcenter\/state-laws\/background-check-procedures-in-maine\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">current Maine law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, people who fail background checks at a licensed dealer can easily purchase a firearm via a catalog or online from an unlicensed seller without a background check. Nationwide, as many as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/everytownresearch.org\/solution\/background-checks\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 in 9 people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who purchase a firearm from the nation\u2019s largest online gun store are blocked from purchasing a gun through legal channels. A 2015 survey found 22% of Americans who purchased a firearm the previous year did so without a background check. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/everytownresearch.org\/solution\/background-checks\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research suggests<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that states with background checks have lower rates of homicides and suicides involving guns. Stronger background checks on private gun sales are supported by <a href=\"https:\/\/everytownresearch.org\/report\/update-background-check-laws\/\">93% of Americans<\/a> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">supported by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainegunsafety.org\/news\/2019\/4\/7\/new-poll-shows-broad-bipartisan-support-for-red-flag-laws-and-universal-background-checks-in-maine\">82%<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of Mainers, including 69% of Republicans. \u201cDarien&#8217;s Law\u201d is named for 25-year-old <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2015\/09\/06\/maine-voices-a-daughters-death-demands-gun-sales-change\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Darien Richardson<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, who was murdered in 2010 in a Portland home invasion. Although the gun used in the murder was recovered by police, it was purchased at a gun show without a background check, leaving no record of who purchased it. The murder remains unsolved. The Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety held a public hearing May 3 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=999&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the testimony<\/a>) and voted that the bill Ought to Pass. Learn more about the bill at <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.darienslaw.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.darienslaw.com\/<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <br \/><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>DEAD.<\/strong><\/span> The bill failed in the House 77-67 and in the Senate 28-7. <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079466\">See how your legislators voted.<\/a> (In the House, a &#8220;no&#8221; vote means rejection of the majority &#8220;ought to pass&#8221; report, which is a vote against the bill. In the Senate, a &#8220;yes&#8221; vote means acceptance of the minority &#8220;ought not to pass&#8221; report, which is a vote against the bill.)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD496\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11677\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/attachment\/1494441974062\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/1494441974062.jpg?fit=399%2C399&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"399,399\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1616596406&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"1494441974062\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/1494441974062.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/1494441974062.jpg?fit=399%2C399&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11677\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/1494441974062.jpg?resize=110%2C110&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"110\" height=\"110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/1494441974062.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/1494441974062.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/1494441974062.jpg?w=399&amp;ssl=1 399w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 110px) 100vw, 110px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Clear the waiting list for children\u2019s mental health services.<\/span><\/b><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?paper=HP0359&amp;SessionID=14\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> LD 496: An Act To Clear Waiting Lists for and Ensure Timely Access to Mental Health Services for Maine Children<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/1342\">Representative Lori Gramlich (D-Old Orchard Beach)<\/a>.<br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More than<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamapediatrics\/fullarticle\/2724377\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 1 in 4 Maine children<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have at least one mental health disorder, the highest rate in the nation according to a new study. With a months-long waiting list that includes<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dhhs\/ocfs\/cbhs\/documents\/CBHS%20Annual%20Report%202020%20FINAL.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> more than 3,300 children<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> needing mental and behavioral health services, the situation is only <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mmwr\/volumes\/69\/wr\/mm6945a3.htm?s_cid=mm6945a3_w\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">expected to worsen<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a result of stress and anxiety during the pandemic. Maine has a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2018\/06\/04\/mainefocus\/maines-history-of-serving-and-not-serving-children-with-mental-health-needs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">concerning track record<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when it comes to meeting children\u2019s mental needs. In December 2018, the state released its first <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dhhs\/ocfs\/cbhs\/documents\/ME-OCFS-CBHS-Assessment-Final-Report.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">comprehensive assessment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of behavioral health services in 20 years, citing access to services and a shortage of child behavior health workers as primary barriers to addressing mental health issues among Maine children. Those interviewed for the report <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2019\/01\/09\/news\/first-review-in-two-decades-shows-all-the-ways-maine-failed-kids-with-mental-health-problems\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cited low salaries as one reason<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the lack of providers. The last significant reimbursement rate increase came nearly 15 years ago, and remains low. At an agency reimbursement rate of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2020\/11\/03\/opinion\/contributors\/maine-is-failing-children-with-mental-health-needs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">less than $60 an hour<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, bachelor level behavioral health professionals are lucky to make an hourly wage of just $16-$17. Providers who aren\u2019t required to have a bachelor\u2019s degree earn even less, at an average of $12.80 per hour. Compounding the issue of pay is a lack of access to care in more rural areas of the state due to a lack of local providers. LD 496 seeks to address this issue by funding a 30% increase in MaineCare reimbursement rates for behavioral and mental health services, a move that would help the state attract and retain providers across Maine. The Committee on Health and Human Services held a public hearing April 2 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=496&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130#\">read the public testimony<\/a>) and voted Ought to Pass as amended. <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>DEAD:<\/strong><\/span> The bill passed the House and Senate by voice vote (no roll call) in 2021, but died on the appropriations table when funding was no allocated.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>BILLS WE OPPOSED THAT DIED<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">All of the bills that we opposed during the 130th Legislature died on the floor, including legislation that targeted transgender people, sought to weaken Maine&#8217;s strong public health vaccine law, and block abortion access.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"LD1138\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11829\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/yvn98fkm-1391640829\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/yvn98fkm-1391640829.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"yvn98fkm-1391640829\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/yvn98fkm-1391640829.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/yvn98fkm-1391640829.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11829\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/yvn98fkm-1391640829.jpg?resize=121%2C121&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"121\" height=\"121\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/yvn98fkm-1391640829.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/yvn98fkm-1391640829.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/yvn98fkm-1391640829.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/yvn98fkm-1391640829.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/yvn98fkm-1391640829.jpg?resize=1080%2C1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/yvn98fkm-1391640829.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 121px) 100vw, 121px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Oppose \u201cstand your ground\u201d legislation.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079736\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1138, An Act To Ensure the Right to Self-defense Exists outside the Home by Removing the Requirement To Retreat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/1358\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. John Andrews (L-Paris)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Known as a \u201cstand your ground bill,\u201d LD 1138 would allow people to use lethal force with a gun outside of their home if they perceive that they are in danger, even if they could avoid that danger by retreating or by use of non-lethal force. Studies show that \u201cstand your ground\u201d laws don\u2019t reduce crime or violence, but actually increase it. As many as <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/jhr.uwpress.org\/content\/52\/3\/621.refs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">50 people are killed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> each day nationwide as a result of \u201cstand your ground\u201d bills passed in more than half of the states in the U.S. In Florida, the first state to enact this kind of legislation, firearm <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamainternalmedicine\/fullarticle\/2582988\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homicides increased by 32%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In 68% of those cases, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2015\/05\/04\/opinion\/stand-your-ground-makes-no-sense.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">person killed wasn\u2019t armed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as was the case in 2012 when 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was killed by a man who <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/thetwo-way\/2012\/03\/19\/148937626\/trayvon-martin-killing-puts-stand-your-ground-law-in-spotlight\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">claimed the shooting was justified<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> under Florida\u2019s law. The man was later acquitted. Research also suggests that \u201cstand your ground laws\u201d are applied more often when the shooters are white: while 45% of shootings of Black people by white people are found <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usccr.gov\/pubs\/2020\/04-06-Stand-Your-Ground.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">justified in states<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with these laws, only between 9% and 11% are ruled justified when the shooter is Black. The conservative, corporate-funded American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) adopted a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20120104223349if_\/http:\/\/alecexposed.org\/w\/images\/7\/7e\/7J2-Castle_Doctrine_Act_Exposed.PDF\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">model law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in conjunction with the National Rifle Association similar to the one passed in Florida, and other states have adopted that language. Find more information on these laws from the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/giffords.org\/lawcenter\/gun-laws\/policy-areas\/guns-in-public\/stand-your-ground-laws\/?eType=EmailBlastContent&amp;eId=44444444-4444-4444-4444-444444444444\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gifford\u2019s Law Center<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/everytownresearch.org\/report\/stand-your-ground-laws-are-a-license-to-kill\/?eType=EmailBlastContent&amp;eId=44444444-4444-4444-4444-444444444444\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everytown for Gun Safety<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety held a public hearing April 26 (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1138&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">read the public testimony<\/a>) and voted that the bill Ought Not to Pass. <br \/><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>DEAD.<\/strong> <\/span>The bill was defeated in the House 79-62 and in the Senate 20-15 and is now dead. <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079736\">See how your legislator voted<\/a> (a &#8220;yes&#8221; vote means they opposed the bill).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"12101\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/vaccine-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/vaccine-1.png?fit=457%2C461&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"457,461\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"vaccine\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/vaccine-1.png?fit=297%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/vaccine-1.png?fit=457%2C461&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-12101 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/vaccine-1.png?resize=126%2C126&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"126\" height=\"126\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/vaccine-1.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/vaccine-1.png?resize=297%2C300&amp;ssl=1 297w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/vaccine-1.png?w=457&amp;ssl=1 457w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 126px) 100vw, 126px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b id=\"VaccinesWork\">Oppose Anti-Vaxx bills. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Legislators are pushing several b<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ills this session that would gut a vaccine law passed in 2019 and upheld last year by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ballotpedia.org\/Maine_Question_1,_Religious_and_Philosophical_Vaccination_Exemptions_Referendum_(March_2020)\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nearly 73% of Maine voters<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?paper=HP0586&amp;PID=undefined&amp;snum=129#\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which goes into effect this September, eliminated non-medical vaccine exemptions for public and private schools. It passed at a time when Maine had <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/pertussis\/downloads\/pertuss-surv-report-2018-508.pdf?fbclid=IwAR31VxOV7CI2gcO8N07YlyNGQGA6aXd6wQKcVu_8iyZitKq6EgnuFTQ6NSQ\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the highest pertussis rate<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the nation, a non-medical opt-out rate <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dhhs\/mecdc\/infectious-disease\/immunization\/publications\/2018-2019-School-Age-Immunization-Assessment-Report.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more than three times<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the national average, and more than <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dhhs\/mecdc\/infectious-disease\/immunization\/publications\/2018-2019-School-Vaccination-Rates.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">40 elementary schools<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with vaccination rates below 85%. Between 1994 and 2013, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mevaccine.org\/mevaccine.nsf\/documents\/BerryDunnImpactAnalysisReport.html\/$File\/MVB%20impact%20analysis_Final_9.22.2020_updated.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">childhood vaccinations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the U.S. prevented an estimated 322 million illnesses, 21 million hospitalizations, and 732,000 deaths over the course of their lifetimes, with a savings of $1.38 trillion in societal costs.High vaccine coverage, enabled by strong school-entry mandates with the allowance for medical exemptions, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6386772\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">supports the public health goal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of reducing preventable infectious diseases and reducing disruptions <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that outbreaks bring to our schools and communities, as the nation has seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. A decision not to vaccinate imperils the health and safety of entire communities, especially <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/who-is-at-risk-from-unvaccinated-kids-2634420\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/research\/health\/school-immunization-exemption-state-laws.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thirty-four states<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including Maine, recognize the public health benefits of vaccinations and have prohibited exemptions for reasons of personal belief. The Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs held a public hearing May 6 on the bills below (see below for links to testimony).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #00417f;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079326\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 867, An Act To Prohibit Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations for 5 Years To Allow for Safety Testing and Investigations into Reproductive Harm<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/1443\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Tracy Quint (R-Hodgdon)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would ban mandates for COVID-19 vaccines, a response to a policy implemented last year in Maine and states across the country that requires health care workers to be fully vaccinated against the disease, which has killed nearly 1 million people in the U.S. In October 2021, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/us-supreme-court-health-maine-6f246ae1c1dd501e40ceb470f0cc2366\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. Supreme Court<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rejected claims that Maine\u2019s vaccine mandate is unconstitutional, upholding a lower court ruling that kept the mandate in place. The original version of LD 867 claimed that the COVID-19 vaccine affects fertility, a false claim that has been <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ama-assn.org\/delivering-care\/public-health\/no-covid-19-vaccines-don-t-affect-fertility\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">widely disproven<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. During a public hearing on the bill Jan. 11 before the Committee on Health and Human Services, the bill sponsor offered an <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/getTestimonyDoc.asp?id=10000491\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">amendment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> removing the reference and adding the outright ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates, instead of a five-year ban in the original version. Nearly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/graphics\/covid-vaccine-tracker-global-distribution\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 billion doses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to people in 184 countries. Nearly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hopkinsmedicine.org\/health\/conditions-and-diseases\/coronavirus\/is-the-covid19-vaccine-safe\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12 months of data<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including from tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials, show that the vaccines are safe and effective at preventing serious illness or death due to COVID-19. The bill is opposed by Maine Families for Vaccines, the Maine chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Maine Medical Association, Maine Public Health Association, MaineHealth, Northern Light Health, Maine Immunization Coalition, American Lung Association, and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. A work session on the bill was held January 20 and the committee voted the bill Ought Not to Pass. The bill failed in the House (<a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079326\">see how your legislator voted<\/a>). Although it will still get a vote in the Senate, the bill is dead.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #00417f;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079585\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1082, An Act To Improve Educational Opportunities by Exempting Children Who Attend Virtual Public Charter Schools from Immunization Requirements and Expanding Enrollment at Virtual Public Charter Schools<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/137\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Heidi Sampson (R-Alfred)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This bill would exempt children who attend virtual public charter schools from immunization requirements. <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/ctl\/EDU\/05-06-2021?panel=3&amp;time=0&amp;sortdir=0&amp;sortby=2\">Read the public testimony.<\/a> <br \/><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>DEAD.<\/strong><\/span> The bill failed in the House 82-61 and in the Senate 17-15. <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079585\">See how your legislators voted<\/a>; a Yes vote means they accepted the Ought Not to Pass report and opposed the bill.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #00417f;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280078060\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 96, An Act To Create Fairness in the Treatment of Students by Retaining Students with Certain Vaccine Exemptions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/1379\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This bill would allow previously exempt students to receive an exemption if they have been made aware of the risks and benefits of immunization by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant, at a time when 48% of Maine\u2019s kindergartens are already under immunity thresholds for diseases like measles, pertussis, and chicken pox. <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/ctl\/EDU\/05-06-2021?panel=0&amp;time=0&amp;sortdir=0&amp;sortby=2\">Read the public testimony.<\/a> <br \/><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>DEAD.<\/strong><\/span> The bill failed in the House 77-67 and in the Senate 21-13. (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280078060\">See how your legislator voted<\/a>; a &#8220;Yes&#8221; vote means they opposed the bill).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #00417f;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280078134\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 156, An Act To Promote School Attendance by Exempting Virtual Public Charter School and Private School Students from Immunization Requirements<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/1376\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Gary Drinkwater (R-Milford)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Would allow virtual public charter school and in-person private school students to claim religious and philosophical exemptions from immunization requirements. The in-person private school exemption from the law could have the disastrous consequence of concentrating hot spots of non-immunized students, increasing the risk of outbreaks. <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/ctl\/EDU\/05-06-2021?panel=1&amp;time=0&amp;sortdir=0&amp;sortby=2\">Read the public testimony.<\/a> <br \/><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>DEAD.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0The bill failed in the House 81-62 and in the Senate 21-13. (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280078060\">See how your legislator voted<\/a>; a &#8220;Yes&#8221; vote means they opposed the bill.)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #00417f;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079298\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 833, An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Vaccines by Reinstating Religious Exemptions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/96\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep, MaryAnne Kinney (R-Knox)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This bill would reinstate the religious exemption and undo the legislation that 72.5% of Mainers upheld in a popular vote, all at a time when the state can least afford vaccine-preventable outbreaks in schools. Major religions endorse vaccination and have no prohibition against vaccination. <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/ctl\/EDU\/05-06-2021?panel=2&amp;time=0&amp;sortdir=0&amp;sortby=2\">Read the public testimony.<\/a><br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>DEAD.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The bill failed in the House 82-61 and in the Senate 20-14. (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079298\">See how your legislator voted<\/a>; a &#8220;Yes&#8221; vote means they opposed the bill).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"AbortionIsHealthCare\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"12162\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/abortion\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/abortion.jpg?fit=205%2C246&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"205,246\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"abortion\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/abortion.jpg?fit=205%2C246&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/abortion.jpg?fit=205%2C246&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-12162 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/abortion.jpg?resize=120%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Oppose anti-abortion legislation.<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Republicans in the Legislature have introduced a record-number of anti-abortion bills this session, part of a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.guttmacher.org\/article\/2021\/04\/2021-track-become-most-devastating-antiabortion-state-legislative-session-decades\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">national attack<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on reproductive health care. Since January, 536 bills to restrict abortion access\u2014including 146 abortion bans\u2014have been introduced in 46 states, and 61 of those have already been enacted in 13 states. Bill sponsors are trying to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/opinion\/judiciary\/552473-assaults-on-roe-v-wade-increasing\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">take advantage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of a conservative majority on the Supreme Court, which has already agreed to hear a case from Mississippi that could <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2021\/05\/17\/997478374\/supreme-court-to-review-mississippi-abortion-ban\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gut or outright overturn Roe v. Wade<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A reversal of the seminal reproductive rights case wouldn\u2019t have an immediate impact on reproductive rights in Maine, which has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.prochoiceamerica.org\/state-law\/maine\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">strong laws<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> protecting abortion rights. But such a ruling would likely empower activists who oppose abortion rights to pursue more stringent restrictions here, either through the Legislature, referendums or the judicial system. The bills currently before the Judiciary Committee this session have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bangordailynews.com\/2021\/05\/18\/politics\/daily-brief\/bills-to-restrict-abortion-rights-have-little-chance-in-maine-amid-reignited-national-debate\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">little chance of passage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the Legislature, but strong opposition is needed to signal Maine\u2019s support for reproductive rights to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/politics-news\/report-details-wave-state-legislative-attempts-restrict-abortion-2021-n1262070\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">national groups<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> behind the coordinated nationwide attack. The Committee on Judiciary held a public hearing May 18 on the six anti-abortion bills below (click on the bill links below to read testimony). All bills received majority Ought Not to Pass votes.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #00417f;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079219\">LD 748<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079369\">LD 915<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> would reverse a 2019 law that removed discriminatory barriers to abortion care by requiring public and private insurers to cover abortion care, allowing all Mainers to access the medical care they need regardless of their income.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>DEAD.<\/strong><\/span> LD 748 failed in the House 77-65 and in the Senate 22-13 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079219\">see how your legislator voted<\/a>) and LD 915 failed in the House 77-66 and in the Senate 22-13 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079369\">see how your rep voted<\/a>).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #00417f;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079094\">LD 825<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079316\">LD 851<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> would require health care providers to give patients inaccurate and misleading information about so-called \u201cabortion pill reversal,\u201d a process shown to cause <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/health-shots\/2019\/12\/05\/785262221\/safety-problems-lead-to-early-end-for-study-of-abortion-pill-reversal\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">massive hemorraghing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and deemed <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acog.org\/advocacy\/facts-are-important\/medication-abortion-reversal-is-not-supported-by-science\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dangerous and unproven<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.\u00a0<br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>DEAD:<\/strong><\/span> LD 825 failed in the Senate 22-13 and in the House 80-63 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079094\">see how your legislators voted<\/a>). LD 851 failed in the House 80-63 and in the Senate 23-12 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079316\">see how your legislators voted<\/a>).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #00417f;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079857\">LD 1229<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> would require a 48-hour waiting period before a person could receive an abortion, and subjects patients to unnecessary medical procedures. <br \/><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\">DEAD.<\/span><\/strong> The bill failed in the House 81-62 and in the Senate 23-12 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079857\">see how your legislators voted<\/a>).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #00417f;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>\u00bb <\/strong><\/span><\/span><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079851\">LD 1225<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> would mandate burial or cremation for fetal tissue following miscarriage or abortion. The bill doesn\u2019t indicate who is responsible for burial or cremation costs but does require people who miscarry outside a medical facility to collect the fetal tissue themselves and deliver it to a medical provider or appropriate government agency. Bills such as this are intended to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rewirenewsgroup.com\/article\/2019\/12\/02\/heres-why-fetal-burial-legislation-is-surging-in-the-states\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shame people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who choose to have an abortion and cause additional grief to those who\u2019ve suffered a miscarriage. <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>DEAD.<\/strong><\/span> The bill failed in the Senate 25-10 and in the House 77-64 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079851\">see how your legislator voted<\/a>).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b id=\"SupportTransMainers\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"11932\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/legislature-roundup\/1496612039-288-b-display\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/1496612039-288-b-display.jpg?fit=400%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"400,400\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"1496612039-288-b-display\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/1496612039-288-b-display.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/1496612039-288-b-display.jpg?fit=400%2C400&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-11932\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/1496612039-288-b-display.jpg?resize=125%2C125&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/1496612039-288-b-display.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/1496612039-288-b-display.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/1496612039-288-b-display.jpg?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Oppose anti-trans legislation. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In what appears to be a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/feature\/nbc-out\/state-anti-transgender-bills-represent-coordinated-attack-advocates-say-n1258124\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">coordinated national attack<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, legislators in 33 states, including Maine, have introduced <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2021\/04\/15\/politics\/anti-transgender-legislation-2021\/index.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more than 100 bills<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that aim to strip civil rights from transgender children and adults. Three bills will be heard by the Maine Legislature that would ban transgender women from emergency shelters and prohibit trans girls and women from playing girls\u2019 and women\u2019s sports. All the bills violate the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/statutes\/5\/title5ch337sec0.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine Human Rights Act<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a statute passed in 2005 that bans discrimination based on gender identity. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.splcenter.org\/hatewatch\/2021\/04\/26\/far-right-groups-flood-state-legislatures-anti-trans-bills-targeting-children\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anti-LGBTQ hate groups<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are reportedely behind the national push to pass anti-trans laws, which are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/politics\/new-poll-shows-americans-overwhelmingly-oppose-anti-transgender-laws\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">overwhelmingly opposed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by the majority of Americans, including most Republicans. States that have passed anti-trans legislation are facing a backlash, with the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidehighered.com\/news\/2021\/04\/14\/ncaa-threatens-move-events-out-states-anti-transgender-athlete-legislation\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NCAA threatening<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to move its championship games out of states that pass sports bans like those under consideration in Maine. Passage of such discriminatory legislation could also influence future business plans of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrc.org\/resources\/business-statement-on-anti-lgbtq-state-legislation\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">close to 100 companies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that signed a letter opposing bills that target transgender people. We are tracking the anti-trans bills here in Maine, which we oppose, as well as legislation that expands protections for trans Mainers, which we support. Find more information on the bills below and on the national attack in our new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/trans-ally-guide\/\">Guide for Trans Allies<\/a>. The Committee on Judiciary held public hearings May 6 (see below for links to testimony) and voted that the bills Ought Not to Pass. The bills will go to the full Legislature soon for a vote.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"color: #00417f; font-size: 14pt;\"><b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 18pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #00417f;\">\u00bb<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span>Protect access to emergency shelters for trans girls and women in crisis.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079894\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1238, An Act To Authorize Shelters That Serve Women To Refuse Access to Persons Who Are Transgender<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/District-18\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sen Lisa Keim (R-Oxford)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bill would amend the language of the Maine Human Rights Act to exempt private emergency shelters from the anti-discrimination law so that these shelters can deny access to transgender girls and women in crisis. While there is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s13178-018-0335-z\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">no evidence<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to suggest that including trans women and girls in women-only spaces poses a threat to cisgender women, a shelter ban poses a very real threat to trans Mainers. Transgender people are nearly twice as likely as cisgender people to experience <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/32673114\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">intimate partner violence<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and nearly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ustranssurvey.org\/reports\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one-third of trans people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> experience homelessness during their lifetime, including <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/transequality.org\/sites\/default\/files\/docs\/usts\/USTS-MEStateReport.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">36% of trans people in Maine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Maine is currently one of 18 states that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/transequality.org\/know-your-rights\/housing-and-homeless-shelters\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bans housing discrimination<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> based on gender identity. Sexual assault prevention advocates, educators, and law enforcement officers agree that laws and policies protecting transgender people <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/transequality.org\/what-experts-say\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">don\u2019t compromise public safety<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, claims backed up by a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s13178-018-0335-z\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2018 analysis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that found no difference in criminal incidents in municipalities that have nondiscrimination laws and those that don\u2019t. Sen. Lisa Keim, the lead sponsor of LD 1238, is a supporter of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/promisetoamericaschildren.org\/for-policy-makers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a pledge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> drafted by a known hate group called the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.splcenter.org\/fighting-hate\/extremist-files\/group\/alliance-defending-freedom\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alliance Defending Freedom<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in support of legislation targeting LGBTQ youth and adults. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1238&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">Read the testimony submitted for the public hearing.<\/a> <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>DEAD.<\/strong><\/span> The bill failed in the Senate 23-11 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079894\">see how your legislators voted<\/a>) and in the House under the hammer (no roll call).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #00417f;\"><b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 18pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #00417f;\">\u00bb<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span>Reject sports bans for transgender girls and women.<\/b><\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079378\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 926, An Act To Ban Biological Males from Participating in Women&#8217;s Sports<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/120\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. Beth O\u2019Connor (R-Berwick)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?paper=HP1035&amp;SessionID=14\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1401, An Act To Prohibit Biological Males from Participating in School Athletic Programs and Activities Designated for Females at Schools That Receive Federal Funding<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (Emergency) Sponsor: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\/Details\/96\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rep. MaryAnne Kinney (R-Knox)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These two bills would ban trans girls and women from participating in girls\u2019 and women\u2019s sports in Maine schools and colleges. <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?paper=HP1035&amp;SessionID=14\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 1401<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> would block federally-funded schools from allowing trans girls and women to compete in girls\u2019 and women\u2019s sports. <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/summary.asp?ID=280079378\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LD 926<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> goes further, requiring any female athlete whose gender is called into question to undergo an invasive pelvic exam and chromosomal study in order to play girls\u2019 or women\u2019s sports. Trans women have been allowed to compete in women\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sites\/default\/files\/Transgender_Handbook_2011_Final.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NCAA collegiate athletics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> since 2011 and trans girls have participated in girls\u2019 sports in Maine schools since 2013 under a policy from the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/13248aea-16f8-fc0a-cf26-a9339dd2a3f0.filesusr.com\/ugd\/2bc3fc_ff43517cf73d44fbbc035612194a2eba.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maine Principals\u2019 Association<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The number of trans students who play sports is already low: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/assets2.hrc.org\/files\/assets\/resources\/PlayToWin-FINAL.pdf?_ga=2.28099006.300407420.1582836585-1986322191.1582510625\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only 12% of trans girls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> play high school school sports nationwide and only about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/03\/11\/sports\/transgender-athletes-bills.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">only about 50<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> trans women compete in NCAA athletics. Since the MPA enacted its trans-inclusive athletics policy, only <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2021\/03\/28\/bills-seek-to-ban-female-transgender-athletes-from-school-sports\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">about 30<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> trans students have requested permission to play. This legislation would almost certainly reduce that number further, robbing students of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanprogress.org\/issues\/lgbtq-rights\/reports\/2021\/02\/08\/495502\/fair-play\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">physical and psychological benefits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that come with playing sports, including improved self-esteem and grades and lower rates of obesity, depression, suicide, and tobacco, drugs, and alcohol use. Read the testimony submitted for the public hearing for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=926&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">LD 926<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/legis\/bills\/display_ps.asp?ld=1401&amp;PID=1456&amp;snum=130&amp;sec3#\">LD 1401<\/a>. The committee voted LD 1401 Ought Not to Pass, killing the bill. <br \/><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #ff0000;\"><strong>DEAD.<\/strong><\/span> LD 926 was defeated in the House 80-53 (<a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/rollcalls.asp?ID=280079378\">see how your legislators voted<\/a>) and was tabled in the Senate, where it died when the Legislature adjourned for the session.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;3.27.4&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;|||&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1 id=\"FAQ\">How do I&#8230;<\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle admin_label=&#8221;Find my legislators?&#8221; title=&#8221;Find my legislators?&#8221; open_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; open_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; closed_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; closed_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.24.1&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-30px|||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; open_icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Not sure who your legislators are? Find a list of all your state and federal elected officials <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/portal\/government\/edemocracy\/voter_lookup.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/span>. Or visit the Legislature website to find a full list of all <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/senate\/senators\/9536\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Maine Senators<\/strong><\/a><\/span> and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/MemberProfiles\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Maine Representatives<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=&#8221;Look up a bill&#8221; title=&#8221;Look up a bill?&#8221; open_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; open_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; closed_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; closed_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.24.1&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-30px|||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; open_icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">You can look up any bill that has been introduced into the Legislature on the\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/search.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Maine Legislature web site<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, by searching by the bill number, the sponsor\u2019s name, or the bill title. Bills are added to the search once they have been printed and assigned an LD number.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=&#8221;Easily track legislation&#8221; title=&#8221;Easily track legislation?&#8221; open_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; open_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; closed_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; closed_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.24.1&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; title_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-20px|||&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; open_icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">The Legislature considers thousands of bills each session. We track several dozen key bills, as do a number of advocacy organizations (see above for links). You can also <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/search.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">search for a bill<\/a><\/strong><\/span> by LD number or text search.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5820\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/light-bulb-orange\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"256,256\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"light-bulb-orange\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"wp-image-5820 alignleft size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?resize=30%2C30&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"30\" height=\"30\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?w=256&amp;ssl=1 256w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 30px) 100vw, 30px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> You can also sign up to receive email alerts on House and Senate calendars, legislation status, public hearings dates, and more through the<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/lists.legislature.maine.gov\/sympa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Maine Legislature Mailing List<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=&#8221;Submit testimony in support of a bill&#8221; title=&#8221;Submit testimony in support of a bill?&#8221; open_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; open_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; closed_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; closed_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; module_id=&#8221;TESTIFY&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.24.1&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; title_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-20px|||&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; open_icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">All bills and state agency commissioner nominees are assigned to one of 18 standing joint committees and receive a public hearing. Usually, you can attend these hearings to observe or to testify. However, due to the pandemic, testimony cannot be offered in person at the State House this session and must instead be offered virtually via Zoom or via a toll-free number during committees&#8217; public hearings. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">To provide oral testimony, you must register no later than 30 minutes before the hearing begins. If you can&#8217;t attend the hearing, you can submit written testimony electronically. Here&#8217;s how:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Visit the legislative testimony page <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/testimony\/\">HERE<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Select Public hearing<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Select the committee that is hearing the bill<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Select the date and time of the hearing<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Select the appropriate bill number<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Upload your testimony!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">You can find committee assignments and public hearing dates and times in our bill briefs or on the <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/search.asp\">bill&#8217;s website<\/a>. While you can submit testimony at any time and it will be shared with committee members and become part of the public record, only testimony submitted online by midnight on the day of the bill&#8217;s public hearing will be included on the bill&#8217;s web page.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Have questions? A list of committee clerks and their contact information is below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">People with special needs who require accommodations to participate in a hearing should contact the Legislative Information Office as soon as possible by phone (207) 287-1692 or email <a href=\"mailto:lio@legislature.maine.gov\">lio@legislature.maine.gov<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5820\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/light-bulb-orange\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"256,256\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"light-bulb-orange\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"wp-image-5820 alignleft size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?resize=30%2C30&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"30\" height=\"30\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?w=256&amp;ssl=1 256w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 30px) 100vw, 30px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Pro Tip:<\/strong> Find out if one of your legislators serves on the committee before you testify and contact her\/him\/them in advance with your concerns.\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find your legislators and their contact information, including email, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/portal\/government\/edemocracy\/voter_lookup.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.\u00a0Find a list of members of each committee from the drop-down menu of\u00a0Joint Standing Committees <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">HERE<\/a><\/span>.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5820\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/light-bulb-orange\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"256,256\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"light-bulb-orange\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"wp-image-5820 alignleft \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?resize=30%2C30&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"30\" height=\"30\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?w=256&amp;ssl=1 256w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 30px) 100vw, 30px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Pro Tip:<\/strong> If you&#8217;d like to testify but can&#8217;t make the hearing, you may submit written testimony via the Legislative Information Office&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelegislature.org\/testimony\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>online form<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Legislative committee clerks<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/ACF\">Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry<\/a>: Clerk Cheryl McGowan, (207) 287-1312; <a href=\"mailto:ACF@legislature.maine.gov\">ACF@legislature.maine.gov<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/AFA\">Appropriations and Financial Affairs<\/a>: Clerk Marianne MacMaster, (207) 287-1635; <a href=\"mailto:AFA@legislature.maine.gov\">AFA@legislature.maine.gov<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/CJPS\">Criminal Justice and Public Safety<\/a>: Clerk Deborah Fahy, (207) 287-1122; <a href=\"mailto:CJPS@legislature.maine.gov\">CJPS@legislature.maine.gov<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/EDU\">Education and Cultural Affairs<\/a>: Clerk Samuel Baker, (207) 287-3125; <a href=\"mailto:EDU@legislature.maine.gov\">EDU@legislature.maine.gov<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/EUT\">Energy, Utilities and Technology<\/a>: Clerk Benjamin Frech, (207) 287-4143; <a href=\"mailto:EUT@legislature.maine.gov\">EUT@legislature.maine.gov<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/ENR\">Environment and Natural Resources<\/a>: Clerk Sabrina Carey, (207) 287-4149; <a href=\"mailto:ENR@legislature.maine.gov\">ENR@legislature.maine.gov<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/GOC\">Government Oversight<\/a>: Clerk Etta Connors, (207) 287-1901; <a href=\"mailto:GOC@legislature.maine.gov\">GOC@legislature.maine.gov<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/HHS\">Health and Human Services<\/a>: Clerk Kerri Withee; (207) 287-1317; <a href=\"mailto:HHS@legislature.maine.gov\">HHS@legislature.maine.gov<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/HCIFS\">Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services<\/a>: Clerk Christian Ricci, (207) 287-1314; <a href=\"mailto:HCIFS@legislature.maine.gov\">HCIFS@legislature.maine.gov<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/IFW\">Inland Fisheries and Wildlife<\/a>: Clerk Linda Lacroix, (207) 287-1338; <a href=\"mailto:IFW@legislature.maine.gov\">IFW@legislature.maine.gov<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/IDEA\">Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business<\/a>: Clerk Jody Breton, (207) 287-4880; <a href=\"mailto:IDEA@legislature.maine.gov\">IDEA@legislature.maine.gov<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/JUD\">Judiciary<\/a>: Clerk Susan Pinette, (207) 287-1327; <a href=\"mailto:JUD@legislature.maine.gov\">JUD@legislature.maine.gov<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/LBHS\">Labor and Housing<\/a>: Clerk Alyssa Thompson, (207) 287-1331; <a href=\"mailto:LBHS@legislature.maine.gov\">LBHS@legislature.maine.gov<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/MAR\">Marine Resources<\/a>: Clerk Linda Lacroix, (207) 287-1337; <a href=\"mailto:MAR@legislature.maine.gov\">MAR@legislature.maine.gov<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/SLG\">State and Local Government<\/a>: Clerk Cheryl McGowan, (207) 287-1330; <a href=\"mailto:SLG@legislature.maine.gov\">SLG@legislature.maine.gov<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/TAX\">Taxation<\/a>: Clerk Avery Page, (207) 287-1552; <a href=\"mailto:TAX@legislature.maine.gov\">TAX@legislature.maine.gov<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/TRA\">Transportation<\/a>: Clerk Darlene Simoneau, (207) 287-4148; <a href=\"mailto:TRA@legislature.maine.gov\">TRA@legislature.maine.gov<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\/VLA\">Veterans and Legal Affairs<\/a>: Clerk Karen Montell, (207) 287-1310; <a href=\"mailto:VLA@legislature.maine.gov\">VLA@legislature.maine.gov<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=&#8221;video feed&#8221; title=&#8221;Watch or listen to the House and Senate during a session?&#8221; open_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; open_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; closed_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; closed_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.24.1&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; title_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-20px|||&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; open_icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">House and Senate sessions are livestreamed via the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/audio\/#house_chamber\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>House Chamber Live Video<\/strong><\/a><\/span>\u00a0or the <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/audio\/#senate_chamber\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Senate Chamber Live Video<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. You can also watch live or recorded legislative committee meetings via YouTube. Find the committee channel <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCx7hJbrB_-t8KJgDiAbPuwg\/channels\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>HERE<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=&#8221;committees&#8221; title=&#8221;Find my legislators&#8217; committees?&#8221; open_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; open_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; closed_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; closed_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.24.1&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; title_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-20px|||&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; open_icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Find out where your legislators serve on the list of\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/committee\/#Committees\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joint Standing Committees<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5820\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/light-bulb-orange\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"256,256\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"light-bulb-orange\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"wp-image-5820 alignleft size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?resize=30%2C30&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"30\" height=\"30\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?w=256&amp;ssl=1 256w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 30px) 100vw, 30px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Pro Tip:<\/strong>\u00a0Committee clerks are a great resource, and every committee has one. They track legislation, sometimes know in advance when a public hearing might be scheduled, and often can provide updates on a bill\u2019s status. They are helpful and respond quickly to inquiries from Maine residents. Find\u00a0clerks&#8217; contact information on each committee&#8217;s page at the link above.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=&#8221;roll call&#8221; title=&#8221;Find out how my legislators voted?&#8221; open_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; open_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; closed_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; closed_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.24.1&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; title_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-20px|||&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; open_icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Check the websites for the\u00a0<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/house\/house\/Documents\/RollCallSP?Legislature=130\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">House Roll Call<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/records\/roll-calls\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Senate Roll Call<\/a><\/strong><\/span>. Individual roll calls are also listed on the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/LawMakerWeb\/search.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">bill listings<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5820\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/light-bulb-orange\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"256,256\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"light-bulb-orange\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"wp-image-5820 alignleft size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?resize=29%2C29&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"29\" height=\"29\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?w=256&amp;ssl=1 256w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 29px) 100vw, 29px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Pro Tip:<\/strong> Some bills will pass by a voice vote, also called &#8220;under the hammer,&#8221; in which unanimous approval is presumed unless an objection is raised. Voice votes do not have a roll call.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=&#8221;how bill becomes law&#8221; title=&#8221;Learn how a bill becomes a law in Maine?&#8221; open_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; open_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; closed_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; closed_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.24.1&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; title_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-20px|||&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; open_icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Thousands of bills can be introduced in a single legislative session. Many don\u2019t get far but those that do travel a complicated path. Learn more about how a bill becomes law in Maine in<strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/general\/path-of-legislation-in-maine-detailed\/9285\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">this overview<\/span><\/a><\/strong>\u00a0from the Clerk of the House and Secretary of State.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5820\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.suitupmaine.org\/light-bulb-orange\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"256,256\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"light-bulb-orange\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?fit=256%2C256&amp;ssl=1\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" class=\"wp-image-5820 alignleft size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?resize=30%2C30&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"30\" height=\"30\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.suitupmaine.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/light-bulb-orange.png?w=256&amp;ssl=1 256w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 30px) 100vw, 30px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Pro Tip:<\/strong> The Legislative Information Office is a nonpartisan public information office whose staff can answer questions about the legislative process, bill status, committee meetings, and just about anything else related to the Legislature.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">You can reach them at <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">207-287-1692 or by email at <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a href=\"mailto:webmaster_lio@legislature.maine.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">webmaster_lio@legislature.maine.gov<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=&#8221;constitution&#8221; title=&#8221;Find a copy of the Maine State Constitution?&#8221; open_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; open_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; closed_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; closed_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.24.1&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; title_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-20px|||&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; open_icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Read the Maine State Constitution and other session laws and statutes on the\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/legislature.maine.gov\/ros\/LawsOfMaine\/#Const\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Maine Legislature<\/strong><\/a><\/span>\u00a0website.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=&#8221;register to vote&#8221; title=&#8221;Register to vote?&#8221; open_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; open_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; closed_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; closed_toggle_background_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.24.1&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-20px|||&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; closed_title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; open_icon_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Really want to effect change in Maine government? Vote! Find information about registration on the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/sos\/cec\/elec\/voter-info\/votreg.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Secretary of State webpage<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_blurb admin_label=&#8221;Legislative advocacy trainings&#8221; title=&#8221;Legislative Advocacy Training&#8221; use_icon=&#8221;on&#8221; font_icon=&#8221;&amp;#xe035;||divi||400&#8243; use_icon_font_size=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.14.6&#8243; header_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; header_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; header_font_size=&#8221;24px&#8221; body_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px|10px|20px|15px&#8221; z_index_tablet=&#8221;500&#8243; header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_image_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_image_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_image_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_image_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; vertical_offset_tablet=&#8221;0&#8243; horizontal_offset_tablet=&#8221;0&#8243; image_icon_width=&#8221;21px&#8221; border_color_all_image=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; border_width_all_image=&#8221;2px&#8221; image_icon_background_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; image_icon_background_color__sticky_enabled=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; image_icon_background_color__sticky=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; border_radii_image=&#8221;on|100%|100%|100%|100%&#8221; image_icon_custom_padding=&#8221;8px|8px|8px|8px|false|false&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Advocacy organizations we work with offer trainings to help you learn how to effectively lobby your legislators.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Maine Women\u2019s Lobby: Bill Bites weekly livestream lunches with legislators every Thursday from 12:15-12:30 pm. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #efb217;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #efb217; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/secure.everyaction.com\/EZFqXn_xcUyptzcpi2cSSg2\">Sign up here.<\/a><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Natural Resources Council of Maine: Take Action Toolkit, with tips on contacting legislators, testifying, and writing LTEs. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #efb217;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #efb217; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nrcm.org\/take-action\/take-action-toolkit\/\">Find it here.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Maine People\u2019s Alliance: Lobby Team trainings and updates every Tuesday and Thursday.\u00a0 <span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #efb217;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #efb217; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mainepeoplesalliance.org\/volunteer_canvass_events_calendar\/month\">Find it here.<\/a><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">ACLU of Maine: Legislative advocacy tools, with tips on submitting testimony and writing LTEs. <span style=\"color: #efb217;\"><a style=\"color: #efb217;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aclumaine.org\/en\/clone-priority-bills-end-war-drugs\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Find it here.<\/strong><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb admin_label=&#8221;Legislative trackers&#8221; 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text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_link_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_link_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_link_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;body_quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;body_quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; body_quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;body_quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; vertical_offset_tablet=&#8221;0&#8243; horizontal_offset_tablet=&#8221;0&#8243; image_icon_width=&#8221;21px&#8221; border_color_all_image=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; border_width_all_image=&#8221;2px&#8221; image_icon_background_color=&#8221;#00417f&#8221; image_icon_background_color__sticky_enabled=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; image_icon_background_color__sticky=&#8221;#efb217&#8243; border_radii_image=&#8221;on|100%|100%|100%|100%&#8221; image_icon_custom_padding=&#8221;8px|8px|8px|8px|false|false&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">A number of advocacy organizations we work with maintain legislative trackers as well, often tracking far more bills than we can. Find links to them below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; color: #efb217;\"><a style=\"color: #efb217;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mainewomen.org\/bill-priorities\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Maine Women\u2019s Lobby<\/span><\/a><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #efb217;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a style=\"color: #efb217; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nrcm.org\/programs\/state-house\/legislative-bill-tracking\/\">Natural Resources Council of Maine<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #efb217;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a style=\"color: #efb217; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/protectmaine.org\/epc\/priorities\/2022\">Environmental Priorities Coalition<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #efb217;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a style=\"color: #efb217; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lwvme.org\/Alert\">League of Women Voters of Maine<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #efb217;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a style=\"color: #efb217; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"http:\/\/thealliancemaine.org\/130th-state-legislative\/\">Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services, Maine<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #efb217;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a style=\"color: #efb217; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mekids.org\/take-action\/state-house-bill-tracking\/\">Maine Children\u2019s Alliance<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #efb217;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><a style=\"color: #efb217; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.equalitymaine.org\/our-current-agenda\">EqualityMaine<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #efb217;\"><a style=\"color: #efb217;\" href=\"https:\/\/ilapmaine.org\/legislative-priorities\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #efb217;\"><a style=\"color: #efb217;\" href=\"https:\/\/maineequaljustice.org\/take-action\/legislative-priorities-for-2021\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">Maine Equal Justice<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #efb217;\"><a style=\"color: #efb217;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aclumaine.org\/en\/2022-legislative-session\"><span style=\"text-decoration: 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