Rep. Sam Zager

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every state building and municipal building in Maine to have at least one automated external defibrillator (AED), a device used to treat sudden cardiac arrest. The state Department of Administrative and Financial Services must ensure all state buildings meet this requirement, while municipalities must ensure all their buildings have an AED. The law applies to all existing state and municipal buildings, not just new constructions, and defines AEDs using the same standard from Maine’s health code. It does not specify funding or placement details, only the requirement for the equipment to be present.

Maddy summaryLD 1720 (An Act Regarding Benefits And Training For Long-Term Care Workers) expands benefits and provides funding for nursing homes and residential care facilities in Maine. It directly affects nurses, certified nursing assistants, direct care workers, and housekeeping/dietary staff employed in these facilities by: (1) granting them access to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System and state group health plan; (2) requiring MaineCare to reimburse facilities for staff training costs (including English language training for non-native speakers); and (3) requiring reimbursement for interpreter services for both staff and residents. The bill also mandates that the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation offer certified nursing assistant exams in French, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Filipino by January 2026. These provisions aim to improve workforce support and accessibility for long-term care facilities and their employees.

Maddy summaryLD 107 requires Maine health insurance plans, including MaineCare (Medicaid), to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring of diseases when supported by specific evidence. This affects patients needing biomarker tests (like genetic screenings for cancer treatment) and insurers providing health coverage in Maine. The bill mandates coverage if the test is backed by FDA approval, drug labeling, federal coverage determinations, or nationally recognized clinical guidelines. It also requires insurers to deliver testing in a way that minimizes disruptions, such as avoiding multiple biopsies. The law applies to both public and private health insurance plans in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Maine to issue $50 million in general obligation bonds to fund the design, construction, or retrofitting of manufacturing facilities producing mass timber. The funds would be administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development through its Dirigo business incentives program, specifically supporting facilities using sustainably harvested Maine forest products. Mass timber includes engineered wood products like cross-laminated timber and glue-laminated timber. The bond issue requires voter approval via referendum, with a November election question asking if residents support the $50 million bond for this purpose.

Maddy summaryLD 978 increases Maine's state reimbursement rate for municipalities and Indian tribes covering general assistance program costs. It raises current 70% reimbursement to 90% of direct costs by July 1, 2030. For the six municipalities or tribes receiving the highest reimbursement (2021-2025), the increase is phased: 75% (2026-2028), 80% (2028-2030), then 90% after 2030. All other municipalities and tribes will receive 90% reimbursement starting July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects local governments and tribal entities administering general assistance programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Health Information Technology Fund to support Maine's designated statewide health information exchange. It creates a dedicated funding source but does not specify exact funding mechanisms, recipient organizations, or detailed operational requirements. The bill directly affects state agencies managing health information systems and healthcare providers participating in the statewide exchange. The context provided does not include specific details about the fund's structure, eligibility, or affected populations beyond the general purpose stated.

Maddy summaryLD 493 requires landlords of residential buildings with private drinking water wells to test for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by January 1, 2026, and share results with tenants. It also mandates home sellers to disclose any past PFAS test results to potential buyers. The bill adds PFAS to the list of contaminants the Maine Department of Health and Human Services must include in its uniform testing recommendations for private wells, alongside existing contaminants like arsenic and bacteria. This applies to all residential properties using private wells across Maine.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the list of vaccines available through Maine's Universal Immunization Program by requiring the state board to include vaccines recommended by the Northeast Public Health Collaborative alongside those recommended by federal health authorities. It allows the program to request state funding to cover costs for children who qualify for vaccines under the federal Vaccines for Children Program when federal funds are insufficient, provided the vaccines align with state or regional health guidelines. Additionally, the bill grants licensed pharmacists immunity from negligence lawsuits if they administer vaccines that follow state or regional recommendations, even when those vaccines fall outside federal guidelines. These changes directly affect Maine's vaccine distribution system, healthcare providers, and families seeking immunizations for their children.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Maine's Department of Health and Human Services to remove prior authorization requirements for deep sedation or general anesthesia used during dental procedures for MaineCare members, effective July 1, 2026. It also establishes a reimbursement rate for these anesthesia services at 67% of the commercial median benchmark, which must be maintained until June 30, 2028 or until a formal dental rate determination is completed. Additionally, the bill requires the department to keep temporary reimbursement rates for tooth extractions and dental caries treatments in place until the same deadline. These changes aim to simplify administrative processes and ensure consistent payment for dental anesthesia services under Maine's public health insurance program.

Maddy summaryLD 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.