Rep. Alicia Collins

Maddy summaryLD 1930 defines "unborn child" as the offspring from conception until birth for certain criminal laws in Maine. It specifies that the terms "person" and "human being" in murder, manslaughter, and assault statutes include an unborn child, meaning violence harming a fetus during pregnancy could be prosecuted under these laws. The bill includes exceptions for acts committed by the mother, lawful medical procedures performed at the mother's request, or the administration of prescribed medication. This directly affects cases involving violence against pregnant people where fetal harm occurs, expanding criminal liability for such acts under existing statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes legal immunity for school administrative units and school superintendents in Maine for specific actions, including negligence, violations of education laws, failure to ensure student safety (such as physical harm or unreported abuse), and failure to report student abuse or threats. It requires schools to establish mandatory reporting policies for student safety concerns, maintain sufficient liability insurance, and gives plaintiffs 60 days' written notice before filing a lawsuit. School staff acting within their duties remain generally protected, though schools must indemnify them for claims involving gross negligence, willful misconduct, or criminal activity. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and mandates annual reports on its impact starting in 2027.

Maddy summaryLD 612 requires Maine's Department of Health and Human Services to cross-check lottery winners against Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment records from the past 12 months. If a winner is enrolled or was enrolled in either program, the lottery agency must deduct the state's estimated five-year cost of benefits provided to that individual (including administrative expenses) from their prize and remit it to the state. The bill also mandates the department to monitor Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card transactions, flagging recipients with exclusively out-of-state purchases over 90 days, and terminating benefits for those confirmed no longer residing in Maine or failing to respond to contact. This affects lottery winners who received Medicaid or SNAP benefits and EBT users making sustained out-of-state transactions.

Maddy summaryLD 1852 requires Maine property tax assessors to lower the taxable value of properties that directly border solar energy developments (ground-mounted solar arrays) or grid-scale wind energy developments (wind turbines and associated facilities). This applies to tax years beginning April 1, 2026, and directly affects property owners whose land physically abuts these clean energy projects. The bill mandates that assessors reduce valuation based on proximity to such developments when determining a property's "highest and best use" for tax purposes. It does not change property tax rates but adjusts the assessed value of adjacent properties to address potential undervaluation concerns.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Maine's zoning laws to increase housing options in larger municipalities. It requires towns with populations over 10,000 to allow up to four residential units on a single lot (instead of two) if the lot has no existing home and is in a designated growth area or has certain utility infrastructure. It also mandates that these municipalities permit accessory dwelling units (like guest houses) on single-family lots in all residential zones. The law applies only to municipalities exceeding 10,000 residents and does not restrict existing zoning rules for smaller towns.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LD 1466) allows Maine public schools in areas declared under a state of emergency by the Governor to skip making up missed instructional days if the school couldn’t operate due to the emergency. It directly affects schools in emergency zones that were physically closed because of conditions like natural disasters or public health crises. The bill requires the Commissioner of Education to automatically exempt these schools from making up days without needing a separate waiver application, and directs the Department of Education to update its rules to create a faster process for this exemption. The policy change streamlines relief for schools during emergencies, focusing on operational inability rather than requiring additional paperwork.

Maddy summaryLD 1067 requires 60% of occupied mobile homes (up from 51%) to provide written support for a group of owners or association to make a purchase offer for their mobile home park. It mandates that any offer include a purchase and sale agreement, and if accepted, the group must secure financing within 90 days. The bill also limits mobile home owners' associations to contacting residents no more than three times about purchasing the park. This directly affects mobile home owners seeking collective ownership of their park in Maine.

Maddy summaryHP 1331 is a commemorative resolution honoring Samantha Smith, a Maine native who, as a child, wrote to Soviet Premier Andropov about nuclear fears during the Cold War. The resolution designates the first Monday in June each year as "Samantha Smith Day" to celebrate her legacy as a young peace ambassador. It specifically recognizes her 1982 letter to the Soviet Union, her subsequent visit to the USSR, and her tragic death in a 1985 plane crash. This resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally commemorates her life and impact on international understanding.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Maine's mandatory paid family and medical leave program, making participation voluntary instead. It limits the program to employers with 50 or more employees and requires the Department of Labor to refund all contributions made under the previous mandatory system to both employers and employees by June 2026. Unappropriated funds from the leave program must be transferred to the state's general fund by June 30, 2026. The changes take effect retroactively to October 25, 2023.

Maddy summaryLD 660 requires Maine public school administrative units to post detailed curriculum and student data online for public access. It mandates schools to display 3 years of enrollment, subject offerings, and state assessment proficiency data on their websites, while prohibiting curriculum decisions based on student characteristics like race, gender, or disability. The bill also requires full transparency for state-funded professional development, including public posting of materials, schedules, attendance records, and costs for third-party contractors. This directly affects all Maine public schools, their administrative units, and the state education department, which must maintain centralized online portals for all curriculum materials and related expenses.