Rep. Drew Gattine

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new commission in Maine dedicated to improving relationships between landlords and tenants who use rental assistance programs like housing vouchers. The commission will consist of 14 appointed members representing diverse groups, including legislators, advocates for tenants and landlords, legal experts, and individuals with direct experience using rental assistance. Its primary duties involve investigating discrimination against renters based on their income source, reviewing existing incentives for landlords, and exploring ways to increase the availability of housing for assisted tenants. The commission is required to submit a final report with its findings and legislative recommendations by November 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing legislation to increase oral health services by adding funding for two permanent positions within the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The new roles, a Public Health Educator and a Planning and Research Associate, will focus on rural health and primary care to support oral health initiatives. The amendment also removes a specific provision that allowed the legislature to create new laws based on findings in an annual report, noting that such authority already exists. Financially, the bill allocates approximately $187,737 for the 2023-24 fiscal year and $196,682 for 2024-25 to cover salaries and other costs for these positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Community Housing Production Program and a dedicated fund managed by the Maine State Housing Authority to support the development of mixed-income rental housing. The program will provide grants to nonprofit developers, housing cooperatives, municipalities, and other public entities for projects that include at least 20% of units affordable to those earning 60% or less of the area median income and 10% affordable to those earning 30% or less. To launch the initiative, the legislation appropriates $75 million for the new housing production fund and an additional $25 million for existing homeownership assistance programs in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a procedural amendment that adds a fiscal note to a separate workforce development proposal. It does not create new laws or change policies on its own. The text simply directs the state legislature to include financial cost estimates for the related bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals and affiliated providers in Maine to offer financial assistance programs that provide free or reduced-cost care to patients who cannot afford it. The legislation establishes clear definitions for terms like family income and state resident, while specifying which types of income count toward eligibility and which do not. Hospitals must follow rules set by the state department to determine who qualifies for charity care, ensuring a standardized approach to helping low-income individuals access medical services.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the definitions used in Maine's Growth Management Program laws to clarify terms related to housing, land use, and community planning. It directly affects municipalities and developers by establishing specific criteria for affordable, attainable, and age-friendly housing, as well as defining protected areas like critical rural and waterfront zones. Key provisions include setting income thresholds for affordable housing at 80% of the median income and introducing new categories such as "cluster development" and "accessory dwelling units" to guide future zoning decisions. By refining these legal definitions, the legislation aims to provide clearer guidance for local governments as they implement comprehensive plans and manage land development.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $7.5 million in one-time funding to the Department of Education to pay for special instruction in private preschools for children with special needs. The funds are specifically designated for children receiving medically necessary therapeutic services under the MaineCare program. The money will be distributed at a rate of $125 per day per child until a new daily tuition rate established by state law is fully implemented. Additionally, the bill requires the State Controller to withhold the transfer if the Commissioner of Education has already notified them that the new tuition rate is in effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias Advisory Council within Maine's Department of Health and Human Services to create and oversee a state plan addressing these conditions. The council will include staff members and two new voting members with expertise in biomedical research and primary care, and it must meet at least four times a year with a quorum of nine members. The legislation requires the council to submit annual and five-year reports to the legislature by January 2nd and recommends specific resources and services, including those for essential support workers. Additionally, the bill allocates funding for a new health planner position to support the council's operations.

Maddy summaryLD 2237 allocates $17.3 million to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to expand mental health crisis intervention services available around the clock. The funding specifically supports mobile response teams by hiring peer support specialists, recovery coaches, and behavioral health liaisons, while also covering travel costs and critical incident response. Additionally, the bill amends the text to ensure the Public Utilities Commission coordinates with relevant agencies in the implementation of these safety measures. These changes aim to provide more immediate and accessible mental health support to individuals in crisis situations across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a larger education act to add specific funding for raising the minimum annual salary for certified and career and technical education teachers in Maine. The legislation directs the state to increase this salary floor from $40,000 in the 2023-24 school year to $50,000 by the 2027-28 school year. To support these higher wages, the bill allocates approximately $3.5 million from the general fund, which also covers additional costs for employer retirement contributions. These financial provisions apply to the Department of Education and affect local schools across the state.