Rep. Dan Shagoury

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits private equity companies and real estate investment trusts (REITs) from acquiring or increasing ownership or operational control of hospitals in Maine until June 15, 2029. It defines key terms like "operational control" (influencing hospital policies or leadership) and "indirect ownership" to clarify the scope. The moratorium directly affects entities seeking to buy or manage Maine hospitals through private equity or REIT structures. The law will expire automatically on June 15, 2029, without requiring further legislative action.

Maddy summaryLD 1451 establishes the Maine Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Management to improve transportation coordination for people with disabilities, low income, or elderly individuals who struggle to access services (defined as "transportation-disadvantaged populations"). The council, composed of state agency commissioners, will create 8 regional mobility management hubs - locations where people can access multiple transportation options in one accessible place - and coordinate efforts between agencies like Transportation, Health, and Education. It requires the council to develop a timeline for interagency collaboration, leverage federal funding, and remove barriers to cost-sharing. The bill creates a state coordinator position within the Transportation Department to support these hubs and agency coordination.

Maddy summaryLD 1078 allows certified syringe exchange programs (also called hypodermic apparatus exchange programs) in Maine to open additional locations within the same county where they are already certified. These programs must notify the state, follow disposal rules, and submit monthly reports to the Maine CDC detailing new locations, syringes collected, and other requested data. The bill formalizes existing requirements from two executive orders, making these operational changes permanent in state law. It directly affects certified syringe exchange programs and the Maine CDC, aiming to expand access to these public health services while maintaining oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents resulting in serious bodily injury or death to submit to a blood test for drugs (including THC) if police have probable cause to believe the driver was under the influence. It allows test results to be used in court only if a judge confirms probable cause existed independently of the test. Drivers who refuse the test face a one-year license suspension, but this penalty can be lifted if they prove they weren't under the influence or didn't negligently cause the accident. The law directly affects drivers in severe crash cases and modifies existing procedures for drug-impaired driving investigations.

Maddy summaryLD 1407 directs Maine's Board of Occupational Safety and Health to develop indoor air quality standards for buildings where public sector workers (such as teachers, government employees, and healthcare staff in public facilities) work. The bill requires the board to establish standards covering specific pollutants including carbon monoxide, mold, volatile organic compounds, and aerosols, with aerosol rules meeting or exceeding ASHRAE Standard 241 (2023). The board must publish proposed rules by February 15, 2026, under routine technical rule procedures. These standards will apply exclusively to public-sector workplaces, not private buildings.

Maddy summaryLD 1033 creates a permit system for events where judges evaluate malt liquor, wine, or spirits based on set criteria to determine winners. Organizers must apply 15 days in advance, pay a $20 fee, and follow strict rules including limiting samples to 4 ounces of malt liquor, 1.5 ounces of wine, or 0.5 ounces of spirits per person (with a maximum of 12 samples total). Homemade liquor producers can enter competitions but cannot sell their products, and events must track attendance, prohibit minors, and prevent self-service pouring. The bill also clarifies that homemade liquor may be entered in permitted events if tax requirements are met, but remains for personal use only.

Maddy summaryLD 1786 requires Maine's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to publicly share current federal or state standards for PFAS chemicals in drinking water (measured in parts per trillion) on its website. It also mandates that the DEP directly notify private well owners via mail or email when contamination is suspected, upon request, or when test results are reported. The information provided must include the current standards, easy-to-understand test results comparing to those standards, and resources for remediation and financial assistance. This bill directly affects public health transparency for Maine residents using private drinking water wells.

Maddy summaryLD 1928 prohibits lodging establishments (like hotels, motels, resorts, and bed-and-breakfasts) from providing personal care products (such as shampoo, soap, and lotion) in small single-use plastic containers under 6 ounces to guests. Starting January 1, 2030, larger properties (50+ units) must comply, with smaller properties (fewer than 50 units) required to comply by January 1, 2032. The law allows refillable plastic containers and non-plastic single-use packaging, while exempting small stand-alone cabins. Violations incur a $100 civil penalty.

Maddy summaryLD 1248 clarifies that schools may temporarily hold a student's hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, or back to guide them safely without requiring the student's voluntary consent (redefining "physical escort"). It also changes the standard for using physical restraint or seclusion, requiring only that a student's behavior poses an "imminent danger of injury" (not necessarily "serious physical injury") to justify such measures. The bill mandates that restraint or seclusion must end immediately when the danger ceases and that the least force necessary is used. These changes directly affect Maine public schools, staff, and students by altering when and how physical interventions can be used. The law also adds requirements for schools to track and report injuries related to restraint and seclusion.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LD 1157) clarifies and expands Maine's background check requirements for workers who interact directly with vulnerable individuals. It redefines "direct access worker" to include more staff in healthcare and social service settings - such as administrative personnel (clerical, billing, management), facility services (maintenance, security), and even unsupervised volunteers or students - beyond previous categories like direct care workers. The law specifies that background checks must cover criminal records, sex offender registries, and professional licensing databases, with employers requiring a "nondisqualifying" report before making a contingent job offer. It directly affects providers serving Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries or protected individuals, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and community support agencies.