Rep. Michael Lemelin

Maddy summaryLD 1282 amends Maine's historic preservation funding rules to allow properties designated as historic by local municipal ordinances (but not yet on the National Register of Historic Places) to qualify for bond proceeds. The bill directs the Maine Historic Preservation Commission to create rules by November 30, 2025, for distributing funds from Public Law 2023, Chapter 653 bonds to these locally designated properties. It specifically expands eligibility beyond the current requirement of National Register listing or nomination. This change directly affects local historic properties in Maine communities that have established their own preservation designations.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates reimbursement rates for funeral homes transporting deceased persons to Augusta at the request of Maine's Chief Medical Examiner. It sets new rates: $300 for the first 25 miles, $4.50 per mile for the next 25 miles, and $4 per mile for distances beyond 50 miles. The bill also requires reimbursement for funeral home employees waiting at the Chief Medical Examiner's office at a rate matching state wage standards. These changes directly affect funeral homes providing this service and the Chief Medical Examiner's office, which must pay the updated rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax credit for dental providers enrolled in MaineCare, covering up to $5,000 annually in licensing fees and malpractice insurance costs. It directly affects licensed dentists and dental practices that treat MaineCare recipients. Key provisions require the Department of Health and Human Services to amend reimbursement rules to pay 75% of national Medicaid rates for dental services and cover all dental case management codes. The bill also allocates funding for three new positions within MaineCare Services to manage dental program implementation.

Maddy summaryLD 55 amends Maine's earned paid leave law to require employers to provide employees with one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked, up to the limit specified in the employer's paid leave policy. It mandates that unused earned leave from the previous year must carry forward and be available for use in the current year. The bill also ensures that carried-forward leave cannot reduce the amount of new leave an employee earns during the current year, up to the employer's specified accrual limit. This change directly affects Maine employees and employers covered by the state's paid leave law.

Maddy summaryLD 976 is a legislative resolve directing Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to develop a plan ensuring accessible, regularly scheduled public transportation for Swan Island in Perkins Township, Sagadahoc County. It specifically requires the department to create this plan and report it to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife by December 3, 2025. The report may include suggested legislation for the next legislative session. This resolve directly affects residents of Swan Island who currently lack accessible public transit options.

Maddy summaryLD 1886 amends Maine law to add specific license suspension penalties for drivers whose distracted driving causes significant injury or death. If a driver’s distraction causes significant injury, their license may be suspended for up to 180 days; if it causes death, suspension ranges from one to three years. Courts may reduce these periods for extenuating circumstances. The bill directly affects drivers convicted of distracted driving who cause severe harm, strengthening penalties for these specific outcomes under existing distracted driving laws.

Maddy summaryLD 975 would repeal Maine's current laws permitting abortion and criminalize the procedure by defining "human being" to include a person from conception (Sec. 4). It directly affects individuals seeking abortion services and healthcare providers offering them, making abortion a criminal offense under Maine law. The bill amends definitions to align with this criminalization, removing existing legal protections for abortion care. Key provisions include repealing prior abortion-related statutes (Secs. 1, 8, 9) and redefining terms to support criminal penalties for abortion procedures. This bill does not include exceptions for rape, incest, or medical emergencies.

Maddy summaryLD 1221 proposes a constitutional amendment to Maine's Constitution, specifically adding Article IX, Section 26. It would require that all money raised from taxes, fees, or other sources related to Maine's paid family and medical leave program must be used *only* for program benefits and administration, prohibiting the legislature from diverting these funds to other purposes. This amendment would require voter approval in a statewide referendum held in November 2026. If approved, it would legally bind the state to keep all program-related revenues exclusively for that program's costs. The bill directly affects how Maine manages its paid family and medical leave program funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds tianeptine to Maine's Schedule W controlled substances list under 17-A MRSA §1102. It directly affects anyone in Maine who possesses, distributes, or uses tianeptine, making these activities illegal without authorization. The key mechanism is amending Maine's drug scheduling law to explicitly include tianeptine as a prohibited substance. The emergency designation cites tianeptine's high addiction risk and overdose dangers as justification for immediate action. This policy change updates Maine's legal framework to restrict tianeptine use, aligning it with other controlled substances.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine schools offering comprehensive family life education to include a human growth and development curriculum starting no later than third grade. The curriculum must feature two specific videos: an ultrasound showing early fetal development of the brain, heart, and sex organs, and a video detailing fertilization and fetal development stages from conception to birth. Schools that fail to comply may face civil lawsuits initiated by the Attorney General. The bill applies to all schools providing required family life education, adding these video components without altering existing course standards.