Rep. Katrina Smith

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine public schools and colleges to designate athletic teams, restrooms, changing rooms, and housing based on biological sex. It mandates that athletic teams be labeled "male," "female," or "coed" with females-only teams excluding males, and facilities must be exclusively for males or females (with limited exceptions for maintenance, medical help, or emergencies). Schools must provide single-sex housing options for students and ensure privacy in shared spaces like locker rooms. The law explicitly protects schools from complaints when following these sex-based designations, while allowing accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. It applies to all public elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools in Maine.

Maddy summaryLD 525 would amend Maine law to remove the existing 500-foot buffer zone prohibition on discharging firearms near schools for individuals acting under Maine's defense-of-premises laws (Title 17-A, section 104, subsection 3). This specifically affects property owners or occupants on private land within 500 feet of school property who are using firearms to defend their property. The bill changes the current rule by exempting such defensive discharges from the general prohibition, allowing firearm use in these specific self-defense scenarios.

Maddy summaryLD 1243 streamlines licensing for existing assisted living facilities expanding at the same location. It allows facilities licensed before October 1, 2023, that began construction of new units before that date to use their prior licensing requirements (instead of new standards) when applying for additional licenses. This applies only if the facility had no substantiated licensing violations under its previous license. The bill aims to accelerate the availability of assisted living spaces to address current waiting lists, as noted in the emergency preamble.

Maddy summaryLD 1432 would amend Maine's Human Rights Act by removing "gender identity" from the list of protected characteristics. This change means the law would no longer prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, or education based on gender identity. Other protections, such as those for race, sex, sexual orientation, and disability, would remain intact. The bill does not alter existing exemptions for religious organizations that do not receive public funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Maine public school districts from adopting policies that allow students to use restrooms designated for the opposite sex based on their gender identity. It directly affects school administrative units (public schools) and students who identify as transgender or gender-diverse. The law amends state statute to require schools to restrict restroom access to facilities designated by the student's sex assigned at birth, rather than their gender identity. The Department of Education must update its rules to align with this requirement. The bill does not address other school facilities or policies beyond restroom designation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LD 1062) would change Maine law to require private firearm sales to occur through a federally licensed dealer, who would then conduct a background check using the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System. It directly affects private sellers and buyers of firearms in Maine by replacing current requirements for sellers to perform checks themselves. The key mechanism shifts the background check responsibility to licensed dealers, who must complete the check as if they were the seller and may charge a reasonable fee. This preserves background checks for private transactions but removes the obligation from individual sellers. The bill does not eliminate background checks but restructures how they are administered.

Maddy summaryLD 1134 prohibits any Maine school receiving state funding from allowing a person whose biological sex was assigned at birth as male to participate in competitive sports designated for females or use facilities exclusively for females. The bill applies to all elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools in Maine that receive state funds, directly affecting their athletic programs and facility access policies. Key provisions require schools to restrict participation and facility use based on biological sex assigned at birth, as defined in the legislation. This policy change specifically targets competitive sports and designated female facilities within state-funded educational institutions. The bill does not address non-competitive activities or facilities not designated exclusively for females.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Maine law requiring individuals carrying concealed handguns without permits to inform police officers during traffic stops, arrests, or detentions. It eliminates both the requirement to disclose the concealed weapon and the penalty for failing to do so. The change directly affects people legally carrying concealed firearms without permits who interact with law enforcement. The bill removes a specific notification obligation from Maine's statutes without altering concealed carry permit requirements or other firearm laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Maine law to permit individuals aged 18 to 20 who are on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or honorably discharged veterans to carry concealed handguns, provided they are not otherwise prohibited from owning firearms. Previously, this exception applied only to those 21 or older. The change directly affects young military service members and veterans aged 18-20 who meet the eligibility criteria. It does not alter general concealed carry rules for adults 21 and older or expand the right to non-military/ non-veteran 18-20 year olds.

Maddy summaryLD 998 removes the requirement that Maine employees must hold a valid concealed carry permit to store a firearm in their locked vehicle, as long as the firearm is not visible. This change affects all Maine employees (including state employees) who wish to keep firearms in their vehicles while on employer property. The law maintains the existing conditions: the vehicle must be locked, and the firearm must be stored out of sight. The bill modifies Maine Revised Statutes §600 to broaden access to this protection beyond just permit holders.