Rep. Abigail Griffin

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits wildlife relocation programs from moving common loons from bodies of water that are 500 acres or less in Maine. It directly affects wildlife management programs operating in smaller lakes and ponds, preventing them from removing loons for relocation purposes. The key provision amends state law to explicitly ban such removals, applying only to water bodies of 500 acres or smaller. The law does not restrict relocation efforts from larger bodies of water.

Maddy summaryLD 202 increases the number of children a family child care provider may care for without needing a license from 2 to 3, not including the provider's own children or children residing in the home. The bill also allows up to 4 children if at least two are siblings, providing more flexibility for small-scale providers. This change directly affects home-based child care providers operating in residential settings who currently face licensing requirements when exceeding the lower threshold. The policy adjustment modifies Maine’s licensing rules under 22 MRSA §8301-A to reduce regulatory barriers for providers managing modest-sized groups.

Maddy summaryLD 1586 requires that the referendum question for approving a regional school unit's budget must include the exact dollar amount of the proposed budget. Currently, the question does not mandate specifying the amount, but this bill changes that requirement. The law applies to all regional school units in Maine holding budget validation referendums. Voters will now see the specific budget figure they are voting on, making the question clearer and more transparent.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the State of Maine from claiming copyright protection for its official works, such as reports, documents, and other materials created by state agencies. It specifically excludes merchandise sold by state departments and does not affect copyrights the state already holds or receives through transfer (e.g., by assignment or inheritance). The law ensures that government-created content remains freely accessible to the public without copyright restrictions. Existing copyrights for state works created before the bill's effective date are unaffected by this change.

Maddy summaryLD 1753 establishes the Upper St. John Valley Recovery High School Pilot Program, a 3-year initiative based at the University of Maine at Fort Kent campus. The program targets high school students in recovery from substance use disorders or co-occurring disorders, requiring supervised housing during the school week and mandatory participation in concurrent recovery programs. It mandates specific staffing (including certified teachers, a recovery coach, and education technicians) and includes drug/alcohol testing protocols for enrolled students. The Department of Education must collaborate with the Valley Unified Education Service Center and the Department of Health and Human Services to develop curriculum and enrollment criteria, with the program set to expire September 1, 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Dentists for Maine's Future" scholarship program to address dental workforce shortages in underserved areas. It provides eligible Maine dental students with a 50% tuition subsidy (up to $25,000 annually) if they commit to practicing in designated "extreme shortage areas" (including counties like Aroostook, Penobscot, and Washington). To qualify, students must have Maine connections, such as graduating from a Maine high school, earning a Maine bachelor's degree, or having a parent residing in Maine. The program requires dental schools to raise matching funds to secure their allocated scholarships, with unused funds reallocated to other schools.

Maddy summaryLD 1351 defines antisemitism using the nonlegally binding 2016 International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition. The bill requires Maine courts and law enforcement to assess whether antisemitism was a motive when determining violations of Maine's Human Rights Act or any criminal/civil law, if relevant to the case. This applies to legal proceedings in Maine where antisemitism might factor into the motivation behind an alleged violation. The bill does not alter legal standards for proving violations but adds antisemitism as a consideration in relevant cases.

Maddy summaryThis Maine legislative joint resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Mayaguez incident (May 12-15, 1975), recognized as the last U.S. combat mission in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. It honors the 18 U.S. service members who died and 50 wounded during the rescue operation involving the seized SS Mayaguez cargo ship and Marines on Koh Tang Island. The resolution specifically acknowledges Maine’s connection, noting 48,000 Mainers served in Vietnam, 343 are memorialized at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and 11 remain missing. It expresses gratitude for all Maine veterans’ service and sacrifice during the conflict, with no policy or financial provisions.

Maddy summaryLD 492 is a constitutional amendment resolution proposing to add language to Maine's Constitution stating that parents or guardians hold inherent rights to direct their minor children's upbringing, education, and care for physical, mental, and spiritual health until the child reaches adulthood or is emancipated. The amendment explicitly states that state entities may not infringe on these parental rights except in cases of parental abuse/neglect or criminal acts by the minor. If passed by the Legislature, it would require a statewide voter referendum in November to ratify the change. This amendment would directly affect parents/guardians of minors and state agencies, establishing a constitutional limit on government intervention in family decisions.

Maddy summaryLD 433 clarifies Maine's requirements for school bus driver licenses. It states that drivers must meet federal safety regulations only if no waiver exists, and specifies that the required vehicle operation exam does not cover combination vehicles (like truck tractors with semitrailers). The bill directs Maine's Secretary of State to seek federal waivers for two specific testing components: the "under-the-hood" pre-trip inspection and the requirement to use a federal examiner manual. The Secretary must report progress on these waivers to the Transportation Committee by December 3, 2025. This bill affects all individuals seeking or renewing school bus driver endorsements in Maine.