Rep. Nina Milliken

Maddy summaryLD 874 establishes a Maine state program to provide financial relief to Maine-resident state and federal employees who lose pay during government shutdowns lasting over 7 days. The bill creates a special fund managed by the Treasurer to guarantee loans made by eligible Maine credit unions or financial institutions to these affected employees. Employees must prove their Maine residency, employment status, and income to qualify for loans covering up to 90 days of lost wages during the shutdown. The state will reimburse lenders for any unpaid loans through the fund, with repayment guaranteed for borrowers during the shutdown period or a 90-day grace period after. This program directly benefits Maine-based government workers facing financial hardship due to federal or state shutdowns.

Maddy summaryMaine's LD 1844 requires the Commissioner of Corrections to establish a reentry services program for people leaving state correctional facilities. The program must provide five specific support areas: health/wellness services (including MaineCare access), financial literacy training, employment preparation (resumes, job search, licenses), community integration (voter registration, 2-1-1 services), and technology training (computer skills, avoiding scams). This directly affects individuals transitioning from incarceration to community life in Maine. The bill aims to improve post-release employment outcomes by addressing key barriers to workforce reentry.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Maine legislators are paid. Currently, legislators receive their biennial salary in equal biweekly payments during the legislative session. The bill allows each legislator to choose to be paid their annual salary in 26 equal installments throughout the year instead, rather than during the session only. Legislators must request this option in writing within one week after the biennium begins. This directly affects all members of Maine's Senate and House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryLD 117 provides $1.23 million in state funding for sexual assault services during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, increasing to $1.83 million for 2026-2027. The funds are allocated through the Department of Health and Human Services' Purchased Social Services program to directly support local sexual assault service providers. This funding covers essential services like crisis counseling, medical advocacy, and legal support for survivors. The bill does not create new programs but ensures sustained financial support for existing services across Maine.

Maddy summaryLD 172 requires the Maine State Police to create and maintain a publicly accessible website listing all open missing person cases in Maine. For each case, the website must include a summary of details, a photograph of the missing person, and contact information for the investigating agency. This bill directly affects the Maine State Police, mandating they establish and manage this centralized resource, and benefits the public by providing a single, transparent source for missing persons information. The law aims to improve access to case details for families, law enforcement, and the public without changing existing procedures for handling missing persons reports.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid program) to reimburse for breastfeeding support services provided in hospitals or at home. It directly affects parents of children eligible for MaineCare or the Children's Health Insurance Program, even if the parent themselves isn't covered by MaineCare. The law mandates reimbursement for services delivered by certified lactation consultants (specifically those certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners). The Department of Health and Human Services must apply for a federal state plan amendment by January 1, 2026, to implement this change.

Maddy summaryLD 1578 amends Maine law to remove a 3-year time limit for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to review disruptions or removals of health services. Specifically, it applies when a significant disruption occurs that isn't covered by existing rules, or after a circumstance described in state law. The DHHS commissioner can then conduct reviews without the 3-year restriction, hold public hearings, and consider new information to ensure health services remain available. This directly affects healthcare providers operating under a certificate of need approval process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine's State Housing Authority to contract for at least three certified recovery residences led by LGBTQIA+ individuals in recovery from substance use disorder. These residences must serve LGBTQIA+ individuals and others in recovery, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, with locations distributed across three population sizes (60,000+ residents, 20,000-59,999, and under 20,000). Each residence must provide shared living spaces, tailored recovery support, and services addressing LGBTQIA+ needs, staffed by at least two certified peer support workers paid livable wages. The bill also creates the LGBTQIA+ Recovery Residence Fund within the Housing Authority to distribute competitive grants for these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits life imprisonment without the possibility of supervised community confinement after 15 years for individuals convicted of crimes while under 26 years old. It directly affects people sentenced to life without parole for offenses committed before their 26th birthday. The key provision requires automatic review after 15 years of incarceration, allowing eligible individuals to transition to supervised community confinement. This applies to all crimes, including aggravated attempted murder under existing sentencing rules. The law creates a clear pathway for potential release after 15 years for this specific age group.

Maddy summaryLD 1266 requires Maine's Attorney General to form a working group to create a plan expanding access to adult drug, family, and veterans treatment courts statewide. The group must include stakeholders like courts, corrections, health departments, prosecutors, and advocacy organizations to ensure every county has access to these specialty courts for defendants whose criminal involvement relates to substance use disorders. The working group must submit its recommendations and suggested legislation to the Judiciary Committee by January 1, 2026. This resolve does not change current law but directs a study to improve access to treatment-based court options.