Rep. Jennifer Poirier

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 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 829 removes the requirement for a concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed firearm in Maine's state parks, Baxter State Park, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, and Acadia National Park. The bill amends existing law to allow any person not prohibited from possessing a firearm to carry concealed handguns in these locations, without needing a permit. It directs the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to update its rules to eliminate the permit requirement for these specific parks. The bill also clarifies exceptions for permit holders, out-of-state permit holders with reciprocity, and active or qualified retired law enforcement officers. This change takes immediate effect due to the emergency preamble, requiring implementation before the summer 2025 recreation season.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the previous restriction that prevented school boards from expelling or suspending students in grade 5 or below. It allows school boards to expel or suspend students of any grade level for specific serious infractions, including violence, possession of firearms or dangerous weapons, or drug trafficking. For students in grade 5 and below, out-of-school suspensions are limited to a maximum of 3 days unless there is imminent danger of serious injury. The bill also repeals prior provisions related to student conduct policies for younger grades.

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 summaryLD 1727 prohibits businesses from using artificial intelligence chatbots to conduct commercial transactions with Maine consumers if the interaction misleads them into thinking they are communicating with a human. Specifically, it requires businesses to clearly inform consumers they are interacting with AI, rather than a human, before or during the transaction. Violations would be treated as breaches of Maine’s Unfair Trade Practices Act, allowing the Attorney General to seek penalties or injunctions. This bill directly affects businesses selling goods or services to consumers in Maine through digital interactions involving AI.

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.

Maddy summaryLD 1027 strengthens legal protections for elderly dependent persons who lose property through undue influence or transfers for less than full value. If a court finds someone exerted undue influence over an elderly person or paid less than full consideration for their property, the court must order that person to pay the victim’s legal fees and costs. The bill specifically targets situations where property is transferred unfairly from vulnerable seniors, requiring courts to grant relief like rescinding deeds or imposing constructive trusts. It does not affect good faith purchasers who paid full value for the property after the transfer.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine's Judicial Department to annually adjust the maximum amount allowed in small claims court cases based on inflation, using the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast Region. Starting in 2026 and each year after, the limit will automatically increase to reflect rising costs, with the first adjustment calculated from 2009 to the most recent available data. This change directly affects individuals and small businesses that use Maine's small claims court system, ensuring the limit keeps pace with economic changes. The adjustment mechanism is tied to a specific federal inflation metric (CPI-U: Northeast Region, All Items) reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.