This bill (LD 496) requires Maine law enforcement to immediately issue a Silver Alert for any person reported missing from a mental health facility, such as a psychiatric ward, group home, or inpatient mental health center. It mandates that alerts be sent to all police departments statewide and to hospitals, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and public libraries within 24 hours of the report. If the person remains missing, the alert must be reissued every two weeks until located. The bill directly affects missing persons from these facilities, law enforcement agencies, and community service locations that receive the alerts.
This bill (LD 14) requires Maine state parks, historic sites, camping areas, and beaches to provide free admission to members of federally recognized tribes in Maine. It directly affects tribal members who can access these sites without paying fees by presenting tribal ID approved by their tribe. The policy change removes existing admission fees for eligible individuals, with verification handled by park staff or designated officials. The law amends Maine Revised Statutes §1819-C to implement this free access policy.
This bill requires health insurance plans in Maine to cover blood testing for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) when a healthcare provider deems it medically necessary based on guidelines from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. It prohibits insurers from charging deductibles, copays, or coinsurance for these tests. The requirement applies to all health insurance plans issued or renewed in Maine on or after January 1, 2026. The bill states this coverage does not expand the state's essential health benefits under federal law, as it aligns with existing coverage for outpatient lab services.
LD 522 directs Maine's Permanent Commission on the Status of Women to study gender segregation in the state's workforce, specifically examining how jobs are divided by gender and whether this segregation leads to safety or pay disparities. The commission must assess these issues and submit a report by January 15, 2026, to the Secretary of State and the Joint Standing Committee on Labor. This study will focus on concrete data about occupational patterns and related inequities, not on proposing new laws. The bill does not create new regulations but sets a timeline for gathering information to inform future policy decisions. The report will be used by lawmakers to consider potential legislative action in the next session.
This bill expands Maine's jury pool sources by adding registered voters, people who receive state income tax forms, and recipients of public assistance and unemployment benefits to the list of potential jurors. Currently, jury lists are drawn primarily from driver's license records, but this bill broadens the pool to include these four new categories. The goal is to increase the size and diversity of jury pools statewide by incorporating more community members. The bill does not alter how individual jurors are selected from the expanded pool.
LD 1187 requires Maine law enforcement agencies to include two specific mental health data points in their Uniform Crime Reports: (1) the number of mental health referrals made under Maine’s extreme risk protection order statutes (Title 34-B, section 3862-A), and (2) the number of individuals who received services from those referrals. This policy change directly affects all law enforcement agencies submitting crime data to the Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of State Police. The bill amends existing law to add these metrics as a required category within the uniform crime reporting system. It does not change mental health services or law enforcement procedures but mandates new data collection for transparency. The requirement applies to all agencies currently submitting Uniform Crime Reports under Maine law.
LD 395 clarifies Maine's legal framework to ensure federal laws beneficial to the Passamaquoddy Tribe, such as those related to land, resources, or tribal rights, apply within the state. It amends Maine law to confirm that federal statutes and regulations for the benefit of tribes are implemented on the tribe's trust lands, unless they conflict with Maine's own land use or environmental regulations. The bill explicitly states it does not extend federal common law to the tribe or alter existing jurisdictional relationships between Maine and the Passamaquoddy Tribe. This law aims to restore access to federal programs and protections that were previously hindered by Maine's legal interpretation.
In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
This joint order directs the recall of a bill concerning criminal history records from the Governor's desk back to the House. The recalled legislation, originally titled "An Act to Clarify the Criminal History Record Information Act with Respect to Criminal Charges Dismissed as the Result of a Plea Agreement," was previously sent to the executive for approval. By recalling the document, the legislature retains control over the bill rather than allowing it to become law or be vetoed by the Governor.
This procedural order directs that the bill L.D. 1912 be removed from the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs and returned to the Senate for further action. The underlying legislation, titled "An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Address Maine's Housing Shortage," aims to raise funds through bonds to help alleviate the state's housing deficit. By recalling the bill, this order bypasses standard committee review rules to expedite its progress in the legislative process.
This procedural order recalls a previously passed bill from the Governor's desk back to the Maine House of Representatives. The recalled legislation, originally titled "An Act to Allow the Sealing of Criminal History Record Information Related to Convictions for Conduct That Is No Longer a Crime in the State," would have allowed individuals to seal records for acts that are no longer illegal. By recalling the bill, the legislature retains control over the measure rather than allowing it to become law or be vetoed by the executive.
This joint resolution formally recognizes May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Maine to increase public understanding of mental health conditions and reduce associated stigma. The bill cites statistics regarding suicide rates, the prevalence of serious mental illness among adults and children, and shortages of mental health professionals within the state. It emphasizes the importance of open dialogue and access to professional services for supporting recovery and breaking cycles of mental illness.
