Rep. Amy Kuhn

Maddy summaryLD 808 requires all Maine public school boards and approved private school governing bodies to implement wearable panic alert systems in every school building starting with the 2026-2027 school year. The bill mandates that each staff member receive a wearable device capable of instantly contacting 9-1-1 and triggering a campuswide lockdown, with annual staff training required. School entities must also ensure security data (including camera feeds and maps) is accessible to local law enforcement while keeping physical security records confidential under Maine's Freedom of Access Act. This law directly affects school staff and security protocols in all covered schools across Maine.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $250,000 pilot program for Maine schools to reduce student device distractions during the school day. It requires the Department of Education to fund one or more school districts to implement a policy requiring all student devices to be turned off and securely stored (e.g., in pouches) for the entire school day during the 2026-2027 school year. Schools must include exemptions for students needing devices for health reasons or individualized education plans (IEPs). The Maine Education Policy Research Institute will develop evaluation metrics tracking school climate, behavior, academics, and stakeholder feedback, with reports due in late 2026 and 2027.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a legislative bill with policy changes. Maine's 132nd Legislature passed HP 1242 to formally honor Pope Francis following his death on April 21, 2025. The resolution commemorates his life, papacy, and legacy of service to the marginalized, citing his teachings and writings. It has no direct effect on policy, funding, or specific groups, as it is purely symbolic.

Maddy summaryLD 1487 allows Maine's Office of Violence Prevention (within the Maine CDC) to accept funding from federal, state, county, municipal, or private sources. The bill directly affects this office by expanding its ability to secure financial support for existing community violence prevention and intervention programs. It does not create new programs but provides a legal mechanism for the office to access diverse funding streams. This change streamlines how the office can support local efforts to reduce community violence. The bill is procedural, focusing on funding access rather than new policy requirements.

Maddy summaryLD 1101 improves legal representation for people who cannot afford a lawyer in Maine courts, specifically targeting cases involving fundamental rights (like criminal defense and critical civil matters). The bill requires courts to better verify and monitor indigency status, track attorney time per case, and establish a system where partially able defendants can make installment payments toward legal costs. It also creates a new process for courts to appoint qualified private attorneys when public defenders are unavailable, ensuring these attorneys receive compensation equivalent to public defenders. The changes aim to address gaps in counsel availability highlighted by a recent court ruling, focusing on concrete reimbursement procedures rather than broader systemic changes.

Maddy summaryLD 511 directs Maine's Department of Transportation to replace inactive railroad tracks on the Berlin Subdivision corridor (from Portland to Auburn) with a temporary bicycle and pedestrian trail. The trail, to be built on the existing rail bed using pavement, gravel, or stone dust, requires available funding, necessary permits, and agreements with local municipalities. This action implements a recommendation from the Portland to Auburn Rail Use Advisory Council and specifies the change as interim, preserving the corridor for potential future rail use under state law.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates April 17, 2025, as "Access to Justice Day" to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Maine's Justice Action Group. It formally recognizes the group's work - representing judges, legal aid providers, bar associations, and attorneys - and expresses legislative support for civil legal aid and pro bono services. The resolution does not create new laws or funding; it is a ceremonial acknowledgment of efforts to improve access to justice for low-income Mainers. It directly affects Maine's legal community and civil justice advocates by honoring their contributions.

Maddy summaryLD 1053 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and insurance carriers in Maine to pass prescription drug rebates directly to patients at the pharmacy counter, reducing their out-of-pocket costs for specific medications. This law replaces a previous provision that allowed rebates to be retained by insurers instead of reaching patients. PBMs and carriers must annually report compliance to the Insurance Superintendent, who can impose civil penalties for noncompliance. The bill directly affects patients filling prescriptions in Maine and the entities managing drug coverage (PBMs and insurers). It ensures rebates from drug manufacturers serve to lower patient costs, not offset insurer premiums.

Maddy summaryLD 586 amends Maine law to allow courts issuing protection from abuse orders to include specific proximity restrictions. Starting January 1, 2026, judges can order defendants to avoid being within a set distance of the plaintiff or to stay away from particular locations like the plaintiff’s home or workplace. This directly affects individuals seeking protection from abuse (plaintiffs) and those subject to such orders (defendants) in Maine court cases. The bill adds this authority to existing protection order provisions without altering the application process.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LD 922) removes a requirement that petitions to terminate parental rights must be filed in the same court case as any prior adjudication of parental rights. It directly affects parents, children, and courts involved in termination proceedings by simplifying the filing process. The key change is amending the law to allow such petitions to be filed separately from prior cases, without needing to attach them to earlier proceedings. This adjustment streamlines administrative steps but does not alter the substantive requirements for filing the petition or the grounds for termination.