Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Suicide Mortality Review Panel in Maine to examine cases where individuals died by suicide, aiming to identify systemic gaps that could help prevent future deaths. The panel will be composed of diverse members including healthcare providers, public health officials, veterans service workers, youth service providers, law enforcement officers, and individuals with lived experience, all appointed by the Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The panel will review records related to confirmed, suspected, and undetermined suicides to understand contributing factors and recommend improvements to prevention efforts. The legislation defines key terms such as "next of kin" and "record" to ensure clear guidelines for information access and confidentiality during the review process.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryLD 1741 strengthens sheriffs' authority over deputy employment decisions by requiring county boards to give deference to a sheriff's choice not to reappoint or discipline deputies, unless sufficient evidence overcomes this presumption. It clarifies that chief deputies automatically become acting sheriffs upon a vacancy (due to death, resignation, etc.), and mandates county commissioners to provide funding for sheriff office expenses including training, legal advisors, and office space. The bill also specifies that sheriff appointment vacancies caused by primary election nominees must be filled by a governor-appointed candidate from the same political party, with recommendations from the county committee. Additionally, it clarifies that non-reappointment decisions (except probationary periods) follow collective bargaining procedures, and repeals a prior provision allowing counties to handle administrative functions for law enforcement. This bill directly affects sheriffs, county commissioners, chief deputies, and law enforcement deputies across Maine's counties.
Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1.1 million in one-time state funds to help build a psychiatric residential treatment facility for at-risk youth under 21 years old in Maine. The money is designated for capital expenditures within the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Behavioral Health. The legislation directs these funds specifically toward construction costs for the new facility, which aims to provide residential mental health care services to young people in need.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates March 2026 as Social Work Month in Maine to honor the contributions of social workers to community well-being and social justice. The bill highlights how these professionals support vulnerable populations, advocate for civil rights, and improve access to mental health and educational services. It directs that copies of the resolution be sent to several state universities with social work programs and the Maine chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
Maddy summaryLD 1926 requires Maine municipalities to allow higher housing density or smaller lot sizes for qualifying workforce housing developments. It applies to projects approved after January 1, 2026 (or July 1, 2026 for some municipalities), defining "workforce housing" as developments where at least 50% of units are for households earning under 220% of local median income. The bill mandates specific density increases: 75% for units targeting 80-100% income level, 60% for 101-120%, and 45% for 121-180%, with at least half of new units in each project serving the targeted income group. This directly affects local zoning laws and developers seeking approval for workforce housing in Maine.
Maddy summaryLD 1572 strengthens legal protections in domestic violence cases involving nonfatal strangulation or suffocation. It requires prosecutors to pursue these cases without dismissal or unnecessary delay, prohibits plea deals for lesser charges, and allows victim statements to be admitted as evidence without the victim’s presence. The bill directly affects victims, prosecutors, courts, and law enforcement by mandating annual training on strangulation/suffocation for legal professionals and clarifying that such acts constitute aggravated assault (Class B or Class A crimes) under Maine law. Key provisions include defining strangulation/suffocation in legal terms, requiring prosecutors to review cases for aggravation, and banning plea agreements for repeat offenders in these cases. These changes aim to ensure consistent prosecution of severe domestic violence incidents.
Maddy summaryMaine House Joint Resolution 1473 designates January 2026 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month to raise public awareness of the issue. The resolution highlights human trafficking as a significant public health concern and emphasizes the need for trauma-informed services for survivors. It calls for increased education, resource availability, and collaboration between public and private sectors to strengthen community resilience against exploitation.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution from the Maine legislature formally designates January 2026 as Stalking Awareness Month to highlight the prevalence and impact of stalking on individuals across all demographics. The bill cites statistics indicating that a significant portion of the population experiences stalking, often involving technology-facilitated harassment or threats from intimate partners and acquaintances. It acknowledges the serious consequences for victims, including mental health issues, the need for drastic protective measures, and the risk of escalation to homicide. By recognizing this month, the resolution aims to encourage policymakers, law enforcement, and community organizations to improve criminal justice responses and expand support services for those affected by stalking.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine's Office of Community Affairs to create and provide a standardized mapping template and technical assistance to municipalities, tribal governments, and regional councils. The template helps these entities proactively identify and map areas of concern related to aquaculture lease siting (such as shellfish farming locations), supporting informed local planning decisions. It does not change existing laws but adds this mapping service as a new duty for the Office of Community Affairs.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 30% income tax credit (capped at $300,000 annually) for small waterfront businesses in Maine that make qualifying disaster mitigation improvements to their property. It directly affects businesses meeting the gross receipts test ($47 million average annual revenue over 3 years) that operate on "working waterfront property" (e.g., commercial fishing, boating, or aquaculture operations with water access). Qualifying projects include structural elevation, stormwater management systems, erosion control, flood-resistant construction, and hazard warning systems designed to meet specific building codes. The credit applies to costs of projects completed after January 1, 2025, and cannot be combined with other similar tax credits. Unused credit amounts may be carried forward for up to 10 years.