Maddy summaryThis emergency bill prohibits school and college officials from voluntarily allowing immigration enforcement officers to enter private areas or access student records without a judicial warrant. It directly affects public schools, state postsecondary institutions, and their staff by restricting cooperation with immigration enforcement while still permitting the exchange of citizenship information with federal authorities. The law allows exceptions for valid court warrants or urgent circumstances but otherwise blocks non-judicial access to student data and private spaces. This measure aims to protect educational environments from immigration enforcement activities while maintaining legal compliance with federal information-sharing requirements.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Maine Civil Rights Act to establish that unlawfully depriving someone of their personal liberty is a violation when a court issues a writ of habeas corpus. It creates a legal presumption that a person has been deprived of their liberty if a judge grants a writ of habeas corpus, making it easier to prove unlawful detention in civil cases. The legislation also clarifies that existing laws do not prevent individuals from seeking damages for false imprisonment or related harms connected to such writs. These changes primarily affect individuals who have been detained and subsequently released through court orders, as well as attorneys and courts handling civil rights claims involving unlawful detention.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Maine Nonprofit Security Grant Program to provide financial assistance to nonprofit organizations for improving security at their facilities. The program is designed to help protect nonprofit properties from hate crimes and terror attacks by funding physical security enhancements, security personnel, and security planning. To qualify, organizations must be tax-exempt and demonstrate they are at high risk of experiencing these types of threats. The bill appropriates $1,500,000 from the General Fund for the 2026-27 fiscal year, with the Maine Emergency Management Agency responsible for administering the grants through a competitive application process. Any unused funds at the end of a fiscal year will be carried forward for future use.
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 summaryLD 1202 establishes the African American Studies Advisory Council to guide Maine public schools in implementing African American studies curriculum. The 13-member council, including educators, cultural experts, legislators, and civil rights representatives, will advise schools on resources, recommend curricula, and suggest professional development for teachers. It requires the council to report annually to the education committee starting in 2027 on curriculum implementation and statewide sampling results. The bill also allows the council to seek public or private funding to support its work. This directly affects Maine public school districts and educators responsible for developing and teaching African American studies content.
Maddy summaryLD 703 establishes a Maine Health Care Gap Year Program that allocates $500,000 from the General Fund for the 2025-26 fiscal year to incentivize recent college graduates to work in critical health care positions. The program specifically targets underserved and rural communities to address workforce shortages in these areas. It directly affects recent graduates who participate and health care facilities in regions with limited access to services. The initiative provides a structured one-time opportunity for new graduates to gain experience while supporting community health needs.
Maddy summaryThis resolution provides $1 million annually for two years to support Maine's five certified community behavioral health clinics participating in a federal Medicaid program. It directly affects these clinics by funding critical staff hiring and wage increases for clinical positions (raising wages to 125% of the state median wage) and administrative roles (to 100% of median wage). The funding specifically enhances the state's clinic rate methodology to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder services in local communities. The resolution was enacted as an emergency to meet a federal program deadline before the 90-day legislative window expired.
Maddy summaryThis 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.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Maine to raise public awareness about the issue. It emphasizes that preventing child abuse requires a collaborative effort involving government agencies, schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations. The bill also highlights how access to financial resources, stable housing, and quality education supports healthy child development.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a system to maintain and increase access to nursing home services across Maine. It aims to develop strategies for recruiting and retaining staff to support nursing facilities. The legislation is currently a concept draft, meaning it outlines general goals without specific policy details or funding mechanisms. It directly affects nursing homes and the workforce that supports them statewide.