Rep. Nina Milliken

Maddy summaryLD 1244 requires every county and municipality in Maine to provide accessible warming shelters open outside normal venue hours when temperatures are expected below 40°F. These shelters must be located at appropriate public venues and operate during extreme cold conditions. The bill directly affects local governments by mandating this service, ensuring consistent access for people experiencing homelessness during winter. It creates a clear, time-bound requirement for shelter availability based on temperature thresholds.

Maddy summaryLD 1482 requires Maine public and private elementary and secondary schools to include LGBTQ+ studies in curriculum reviews. The bill amends education law to mandate that LGBTQ+ studies - defined as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and other allied communities - be reviewed alongside American history, African American studies, Maine studies, and Wabanaki studies. This requires schools to align their content standards with these subjects through the state's learning results review process under Title 20-A, section 6209. The policy affects all K-12 schools in Maine by integrating LGBTQ+ historical and cultural perspectives into required curriculum planning.

Maddy summaryLD 1335 prohibits life sentences for individuals convicted of crimes in Maine on or after January 1, 2026. It requires courts to impose a definite term of imprisonment of at least 25 years instead of life sentences or sentences deemed "equivalent to life" (defined as a term reasonably expected to last the person's lifetime based on factors like age at sentencing). The bill applies to all crimes under Maine's criminal code, including murder and aggravated attempted murder, but allows life sentences for convictions prior to 2026. It amends multiple sections of Maine's criminal code to implement this change and define the key term "term of years equivalent to imprisonment for life."

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Maine health care providers to perform blood tests for drugs or medications with a pregnant person's consent both before childbirth and after delivery. It requires providers to maintain detailed records of all drugs administered during childbirth and to reconcile all test results before reporting any drug use. Any report of drug use must include all test results and records maintained under the law. The law directly affects pregnant individuals receiving care in Maine and their health care providers, focusing on consent, documentation, and procedural safeguards.

Maddy summaryLD 330 creates a 5-member advisory council to review Maine's Criminal Code and related statutes. The council will hire an outside legal consultant to identify obsolete provisions, clarify confusing language, eliminate inconsistencies and redundancies, and reorganize the criminal code. The council members include a prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, legal educator, retired judge, and the Attorney General (who chairs it). All council decisions require unanimous agreement, and they must submit a report with recommendations by February 1, 2026, to the Criminal Justice Committee. This resolution itself does not change laws but sets up a process for potential future legislative revisions.

Maddy summaryLD 1073 amends definitions in the Maine Metallic Mineral Mining Act, clarifying terms like "fugitive emission" (unintentional leaks from mining equipment) and "mine waste" (materials removed during mining). The bill updates these definitions to better describe mining operations but does not introduce new requirements or policies related to health equity. It does not directly affect vulnerable populations or advance health equity, as the amendments only revise technical terminology without changing regulatory obligations. The bill's focus is purely definitional, not substantive policy.

Maddy summaryLD 521 prohibits housing discrimination in Maine based on source of income, military status, or veteran status. It amends Maine’s housing law to explicitly protect renters and prospective tenants from discrimination related to housing vouchers, government benefits (like Social Security or child support), military service, or veteran status. Landlords, agents, and brokers are now barred from refusing to rent, charging different terms, or advertising in ways that discriminate based on these categories. The law applies to all housing accommodations and aligns with existing protections for race, gender, disability, and other categories under Maine law.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits securing a watercraft to a mooring owned or leased by someone else without their permission. It directly affects boat owners who use others' moorings without authorization, making it a Class E crime if they refuse to release the boat, leave it unattended, or damage the mooring. Violators must also pay restitution for any financial losses caused to the mooring owner or lessee. Exceptions apply for clearly marked rental moorings (with payment attempts) and emergencies where law enforcement is immediately contacted.

Maddy summaryLD 716 establishes a new coyote hunting season in Maine running from October 1 to March 31 each year, replacing the previous December 16 to August 31 season. The bill requires hunters to obtain a permit for nighttime coyote hunting and imposes penalties including a $500 fine, one-year license revocation, and additional fees for violations. It also allows state wildlife officials to appoint agents to hunt coyotes using artificial light from September 1 to December 15. This directly affects hunters who pursue coyotes outside the designated season or without a permit for nighttime hunts. The law updates enforcement mechanisms while maintaining existing restrictions on coyote hunting during other times.

Maddy summaryMaine's Legislature has passed a joint resolution acknowledging the 1932-1933 Holodomor famine in Ukraine as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people. The resolution recognizes this event as a man-made catastrophe caused by Soviet policies of forced collectivization and grain seizures, which killed millions and was documented in a 1998 U.S. Commission report. This commemorative statement does not create new laws or affect individuals but formally honors the victims and raises awareness of the Holodomor's historical significance.