Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine public schools to provide at least four hours of de-escalation and behavior intervention training to all teachers, administrators, and education technicians starting in the 2026-2027 school year, with training repeated every three years thereafter. New staff must receive this training within 60 days of hiring beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. The training covers specific topics like positive behavior strategies, communication of student behavior, alternatives to restrictive procedures, and safe use of restraint and seclusion. The Maine Department of Education will maintain a list of approved training programs and experts, and must develop and distribute best practices for the training by September 1, 2026.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryLD 1404 creates a working group to assess the current state of school and public libraries in Maine. The group, led by the State Librarian and including representatives from library associations, school districts, and state agencies, will study library services for diverse communities (including seniors, people with disabilities, and remote areas), the role of libraries in community needs like emergency preparedness, and factors such as facilities, technology, and staffing. The working group must submit a final report to the Legislature by November 1, 2027, detailing findings and recommendations based on public input and research. This resolution does not enact new policy but directs a study to inform future library support.
Maddy summaryLD 689 appropriates $335,000 annually from the General Fund to the Northern New England Poison Center for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. This funding ensures the center can continue providing 24-hour medical advice and information about potentially harmful substances to Maine residents. The bill directly supports the poison center’s operations, enabling it to maintain emergency services for people exposed to toxins or poisons. It does not create new regulations but secures ongoing access to a critical public health resource.
Maddy summaryLD 1332 establishes the Community Schools Success Fund, a permanent fund within Maine's Department of Education. The fund provides grants to community schools, local education providers (like school districts and charter schools), and supporting nonprofit organizations. These grants support specific program needs including community needs assessments, readiness planning, sustainability efforts, professional development, and peer mentoring. The bill requires grant applicants to submit utilization plans detailing how funds will support community school programs.
Maddy summaryLD 1596 defines three types of aquaculture operations in Maine: "bottom operations" (gear on the ocean floor), "submerged operations" (gear suspended below surface), and "surface operations" (gear floating on surface). It requires environmental evaluations of lease sites before approval, including bottom characteristics, local flora, fauna, and water conditions. The bill directly affects shellfish and seaweed farmers seeking state leases by clarifying operational rules and adding site assessment requirements. This creates standardized definitions for managing aquaculture activities while ensuring environmental considerations are part of lease decisions.
Maddy summaryThis resolution directs Maine's Department of Transportation to study the feasibility of adding ferry service to Monhegan Island. The study must assess economic and social benefits, infrastructure needs on both the island and mainland, and implementation challenges, working with stakeholders like island representatives and ferry service experts. The Department must submit a report by December 3, 2025, to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation. This study itself does not fund or establish ferry service but could lead to future legislation if deemed feasible. Monhegan Island residents and visitors would be directly affected if service is implemented.
Maddy summaryLD 1359 is a legislative resolve directing Maine's Department of Transportation to develop new practices for public transit. It requires the department to: (1) publish annual funding allocations for transit operators online and in print, showing total funds and individual allocations; (2) reduce the local funding match required for rural transit operators; and (3) improve coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services to better connect transit services to healthcare providers. The department must report its progress on these actions to the Transportation Committee by December 3, 2025. This resolve directly affects public transit operators (especially rural ones) and healthcare consumers seeking transportation to medical services.
Maddy summaryLD 1298 establishes an alternative pathway for social work licensure in Maine, allowing applicants to qualify without meeting all traditional education and experience requirements. The bill amends licensing statutes to permit applicants to demonstrate competence through this new pathway instead of solely relying on a master's degree in social work plus specified clinical experience. It modifies existing rules for licensed clinical social workers by creating flexibility to waive up to one year of post-degree clinical experience for those with equivalent prior experience. The Maine Board of Social Work will define the specific requirements for this alternative pathway through future rulemaking. This change directly affects individuals seeking social work licensure who may not have formal graduate degrees but possess relevant experience.
Maddy summaryLD 1138 requires Maine's Department of Transportation and the Maine Turnpike Authority to conduct greenhouse gas emissions and traffic impact assessments before approving new road expansions or capacity increases (like adding lanes or improving roadways). Starting July 1, 2026, these assessments must project 20-year emissions, net changes in vehicle miles traveled, and account for "induced demand" (increased driving from new road capacity). Projects found inconsistent with Maine's climate targets must be redesigned, include mitigation measures, or be canceled. The bill directly affects transportation planning decisions for state road projects and aims to align infrastructure development with the state’s climate action goals.
Maddy summaryLD 1166 changes Maine's official title for licensed practitioners from "Physician Assistant" to "Physician Associate" in state law. The bill updates all relevant statutes to reflect this new title and prohibits non-licensed individuals from using "Physician Associate" or the abbreviation "P.A.", with violations classified as a Class E crime. Licensing requirements remain unchanged, including graduation from an accredited program, passing a national certification exam, and meeting other standard criteria. This bill directly affects current and future licensed physician associates in Maine, ensuring the title is reserved for those who meet state licensing standards.