Maddy summaryLD 1098 requires Maine school districts to stop placing students in abbreviated school day programs (shorter instructional days) without strict justification and parental consent. It directly affects students with disabilities who are often placed in these programs, requiring schools to document medical or behavioral needs through special education plans (like IEPs), provide detailed plans showing how students will catch up academically, and obtain written parental consent every 45 days. The bill prohibits using abbreviated days due to staffing or resource shortages and mandates that schools return students to full-day instruction within 5 days if parents object. This law aims to ensure all students in the same grade receive equal instructional time, with the emergency clause allowing immediate implementation.
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Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine public schools to provide at least four hours of de-escalation and behavior intervention training to all teachers, administrators, and education technicians starting in the 2026-2027 school year, with training repeated every three years thereafter. New staff must receive this training within 60 days of hiring beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. The training covers specific topics like positive behavior strategies, communication of student behavior, alternatives to restrictive procedures, and safe use of restraint and seclusion. The Maine Department of Education will maintain a list of approved training programs and experts, and must develop and distribute best practices for the training by September 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryLD 1389 creates Maine's "Building Opportunity Through Out-of-School Time Program," a competitive grant program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. The program directly supports at-risk school-age youth (ages 5-13 facing educational challenges due to factors like poverty or limited English) by funding structured after-school, before-school, and summer activities provided by eligible community nonprofits, libraries, or statewide youth organizations. Key provisions establish a nonlapsing fund to expand or create out-of-school programming, require the department to set clear grant application rules and publish award details online, and ensure funding complements existing support like section 1053-B. The program aims to improve youth outcomes through evidence-based activities focused on academic success, safety, career exploration, and reducing risky behaviors.
Maddy summaryLD 874 establishes a Maine state program to provide financial relief to Maine-resident state and federal employees who lose pay during government shutdowns lasting over 7 days. The bill creates a special fund managed by the Treasurer to guarantee loans made by eligible Maine credit unions or financial institutions to these affected employees. Employees must prove their Maine residency, employment status, and income to qualify for loans covering up to 90 days of lost wages during the shutdown. The state will reimburse lenders for any unpaid loans through the fund, with repayment guaranteed for borrowers during the shutdown period or a 90-day grace period after. This program directly benefits Maine-based government workers facing financial hardship due to federal or state shutdowns.
Maddy summaryLD 1615 creates a new "adjunct dentist license" in Maine to expand access to oral health care. This license allows dental school graduates who are not fully licensed in Maine to practice under the general supervision of a licensed dentist in board-approved settings. Key provisions require applicants to hold a dental degree, pass board exams, have a written practice agreement with a supervising dentist, and work within defined protocols and limitations. The bill directly affects dental school graduates seeking to provide care in underserved areas while ensuring oversight through supervising dentists and detailed practice agreements.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Maine's tax laws to reference the current version of the federal Internal Revenue Code (as amended through December 31, 2024), replacing outdated references to the 1986 Code as of December 31, 2023. It directly affects Maine taxpayers and state tax administrators by ensuring state tax processing aligns with the most recent federal tax code. The key change modifies Maine Revised Statutes §111 to use the updated reference date, effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024. This procedural update prevents delays in processing 2024 income tax returns and ensures state tax administration remains synchronized with federal law.
Maddy summaryLD 163 requires all health insurance plans in Maine covering prescription drugs or outpatient services to fully cover federally approved nonprescription oral hormonal contraceptives and emergency contraceptives without any deductibles, copays, or coinsurance. This applies directly to health insurers and enrollees, eliminating out-of-pocket costs for these specific contraceptives. The bill clarifies that no prescription is needed to obtain these items, and coverage must include supplies for a full 12-month period. It specifically excludes coverage for abortion-inducing drugs. The law updates Maine’s health insurance coverage requirements to align with federal contraceptive approvals.
Maddy summaryLD 143 establishes a dedicated fund within Maine's Department of Health and Human Services to maintain statewide access to family planning services. The bill allocates $6.18 million annually from the General Fund to be distributed as a single grant to a qualified provider selected through a competitive request for proposals. This provider will manage and oversee the delivery of family planning services across the state, including coordination with subrecipients. The fund is designed to ensure ongoing, non-lapsing funding for these services without replacing existing funding sources.
Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $350,000 annually from the General Fund to Maine Public Broadcasting Corporation to align state funding with existing legal requirements for statewide emergency broadcast messaging. It directly supports the public safety infrastructure that delivers emergency alerts to residents during crises. The key mechanism is a dedicated, ongoing funding stream to ensure consistent coverage for emergency communications. This policy change updates financial support to match statutory obligations without altering broadcast procedures or public safety protocols.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid program) to reimburse for breastfeeding support services provided in hospitals or at home. It directly affects parents of children eligible for MaineCare or the Children's Health Insurance Program, even if the parent themselves isn't covered by MaineCare. The law mandates reimbursement for services delivered by certified lactation consultants (specifically those certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners). The Department of Health and Human Services must apply for a federal state plan amendment by January 1, 2026, to implement this change.