Rep. Matt Moonen

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the addition of two State Police Detective positions to the Maine State Police Executive Protection Unit. The legislation allocates funding from the General Fund and Highway Fund to cover the salaries and expenses associated with these new roles. It directly impacts the Department of Public Safety by expanding the staffing capacity of the executive protection team. The changes take effect in the 2026-27 fiscal year, with specific budget amounts designated for personal services and other operational costs.

Maddy summaryThe provided context for LD 1119 only identifies it as a concept draft (per Joint Rule 208) proposing to amend Maine's reproductive health care laws, with no specific provisions, affected parties, or mechanisms described. The bill's title and summary reference general legislative changes but lack concrete details about policy modifications or implementation. Without additional text outlining the proposed amendments, a factual summary of its content cannot be provided. This appears to be a preliminary draft, not a finalized bill with actionable provisions.

Maddy summaryLD 1572 strengthens legal protections in domestic violence cases involving nonfatal strangulation or suffocation. It requires prosecutors to pursue these cases without dismissal or unnecessary delay, prohibits plea deals for lesser charges, and allows victim statements to be admitted as evidence without the victim’s presence. The bill directly affects victims, prosecutors, courts, and law enforcement by mandating annual training on strangulation/suffocation for legal professionals and clarifying that such acts constitute aggravated assault (Class B or Class A crimes) under Maine law. Key provisions include defining strangulation/suffocation in legal terms, requiring prosecutors to review cases for aggravation, and banning plea agreements for repeat offenders in these cases. These changes aim to ensure consistent prosecution of severe domestic violence incidents.

Maddy summaryLD 1136, titled "An Act to Defend the Rights of LGBTQ+ Persons in the State," is a concept draft that proposes updating Maine's laws to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. The bill aims to strengthen legal safeguards for LGBTQ+ persons through legislative changes, though specific provisions are not detailed in the concept draft. As a concept draft, it serves as an early step in the legislative process and has been referred to the Committee on Judiciary. The bill does not specify exact mechanisms or affected groups beyond the general intent to protect LGBTQ+ rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two pilot programs to expand child assertive community treatment (ACT) teams in Lewiston and Bangor, Maine. By December 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services must issue competitive requests for proposals requiring grantees to use workforce incentives for hiring and retaining staff. It allocates $320,000 total ($160,000 per pilot) for these programs, which aim to address shortages in community-based behavioral health services for children. Within 90 days after the pilots conclude, the department must report outcomes and recommendations to the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LD 411) changes Maine law regarding firearms seized as part of criminal cases. It requires all firearms forfeited under certain criminal sentences - including those used in murder or unlawful homicide - to be destroyed by the state, removing a previous exception that allowed third parties to claim ownership. The bill also aligns juvenile court procedures for firearm forfeiture with these updated adult sentencing rules. These changes apply to both adult criminal cases and juvenile proceedings involving firearms used in qualifying offenses.

Maddy summaryLD 1098 requires Maine school districts to stop placing students in abbreviated school day programs (shorter instructional days) without strict justification and parental consent. It directly affects students with disabilities who are often placed in these programs, requiring schools to document medical or behavioral needs through special education plans (like IEPs), provide detailed plans showing how students will catch up academically, and obtain written parental consent every 45 days. The bill prohibits using abbreviated days due to staffing or resource shortages and mandates that schools return students to full-day instruction within 5 days if parents object. This law aims to ensure all students in the same grade receive equal instructional time, with the emergency clause allowing immediate implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine public schools to provide at least four hours of de-escalation and behavior intervention training to all teachers, administrators, and education technicians starting in the 2026-2027 school year, with training repeated every three years thereafter. New staff must receive this training within 60 days of hiring beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. The training covers specific topics like positive behavior strategies, communication of student behavior, alternatives to restrictive procedures, and safe use of restraint and seclusion. The Maine Department of Education will maintain a list of approved training programs and experts, and must develop and distribute best practices for the training by September 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryLD 1389 creates Maine's "Building Opportunity Through Out-of-School Time Program," a competitive grant program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. The program directly supports at-risk school-age youth (ages 5-13 facing educational challenges due to factors like poverty or limited English) by funding structured after-school, before-school, and summer activities provided by eligible community nonprofits, libraries, or statewide youth organizations. Key provisions establish a nonlapsing fund to expand or create out-of-school programming, require the department to set clear grant application rules and publish award details online, and ensure funding complements existing support like section 1053-B. The program aims to improve youth outcomes through evidence-based activities focused on academic success, safety, career exploration, and reducing risky behaviors.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits arresting or detaining people for civil violations, such as minor offenses like traffic tickets or code violations. It requires state attorneys to decide whether to charge certain minor criminal offenses (Class E crimes ineligible for probation) as civil violations instead, considering factors like the offense severity, victim impact, and prior records. If charged as a civil violation, penalties are limited to $1,000, and this decision cannot be challenged in court. The bill directly affects individuals facing minor charges and state attorneys who will make these charging decisions.