Rep. Mana Abdi

Maddy summaryMaine's LD 317, the Safe Cosmetics Act, prohibits the sale or distribution of cosmetic products containing specific intentionally added ingredients - such as lead, mercury, formaldehyde, or certain phthalates - starting January 1, 2027. The law applies to manufacturers and retailers selling cosmetics in Maine, excluding products with only trace amounts of these ingredients due to unavoidable impurities from manufacturing, storage, or packaging. Retailers who sell non-compliant products are entitled to full refunds from manufacturers, including shipping costs. The act defines cosmetics broadly but excludes soap, dietary supplements, and FDA-regulated food/drugs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a sales and use tax exemption for three categories of items purchased or leased for home use: durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs or oxygen equipment), breast pumps, and mobility-enhancing equipment (such as walkers or adaptive car seats). It directly affects Maine residents who buy these items for personal home use, removing the sales tax on qualifying purchases. The exemption applies to both sales and leases of these items starting January 1, 2026. The bill also repeals prior tax provisions that previously excluded some of these items from exemption.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Maine's jury pool sources by adding registered voters, people who receive state income tax forms, and recipients of public assistance and unemployment benefits to the list of potential jurors. Currently, jury lists are drawn primarily from driver's license records, but this bill broadens the pool to include these four new categories. The goal is to increase the size and diversity of jury pools statewide by incorporating more community members. The bill does not alter how individual jurors are selected from the expanded pool.

Maddy summaryLD 1187 requires Maine law enforcement agencies to include two specific mental health data points in their Uniform Crime Reports: (1) the number of mental health referrals made under Maine’s extreme risk protection order statutes (Title 34-B, section 3862-A), and (2) the number of individuals who received services from those referrals. This policy change directly affects all law enforcement agencies submitting crime data to the Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of State Police. The bill amends existing law to add these metrics as a required category within the uniform crime reporting system. It does not change mental health services or law enforcement procedures but mandates new data collection for transparency. The requirement applies to all agencies currently submitting Uniform Crime Reports under Maine law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals in Maine to create and submit an annual cybersecurity plan to the Department of Health and Human Services. The plan must outline procedures for notifying authorities and patients of security breaches, maintaining patient care during incidents, and providing cybersecurity training for staff and board members. Additionally, the bill adds cybersecurity intrusions that affect patient access to medical care to the list of sentinel events, which are serious incidents that must be reported. Hospitals must also conduct annual tests of their cybersecurity plans to ensure they work effectively.

Maddy summaryLD 1587 establishes criminal penalties for employers who intentionally violate Maine's labor laws, such as wage and hour requirements, affecting businesses operating in the state. It classifies these violations as a Class E crime, imposing fines up to $10,000 (with no jail time for first-time offenders) and requiring the Labor Director to investigate and refer cases to the Attorney General for prosecution. The Attorney General must respond within 30 days of receiving a referral and explain any decision to decline prosecution. The bill also mandates that the Department of Labor include detailed data on these referrals, fines collected, and reasons for declined prosecutions in its annual report.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine to divest public funds - including those managed by the Maine Public Employees Retirement System - from companies, financial institutions, or entities operating in, benefiting from, or associated with countries or governing bodies determined by independent international bodies (like the UN or International Criminal Court) to have committed apartheid, ethnic cleansing, genocide, or war crimes. It mandates full divestment within 12 months of such a determination and directs the Treasurer’s Office to create a commission to monitor human rights reports and submit annual compliance reports to the legislature. Exceptions cover humanitarian aid, food, medicine, and essential supplies, and the Governor may waive divestment to prevent significant harm to Maine residents or protect national security.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution from the Maine Legislature formally recognizes Lunar New Year 2026, which marks the beginning of the Year of the Horse. The bill highlights the historical and cultural significance of the holiday for Asian communities and the broader diaspora, noting that it is celebrated by over a billion people worldwide. It encourages local, state, and national observances as well as educational programs to inform the public about the history and symbolism of the tradition. Additionally, the resolution expresses support for increasing visibility and safety for communities that face marginalization, while reaffirming the state's commitment to its multicultural identity.

Maddy summaryLD 1259 prohibits Maine local law enforcement agencies and officers from entering into any written or oral agreements with federal immigration authorities. The bill specifically bans contracts that would grant federal immigration enforcement powers to local agencies, including those under federal 8 U.S. Code §1357(g). This directly affects all Maine municipal police departments, sheriffs' offices, and individual officers who interact with federal immigration enforcement. The law aims to clarify and limit local law enforcement's role in federal immigration enforcement activities.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution from the Maine Legislature formally recognizes the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in 2026. It acknowledges that millions of Muslims, including those in Maine, observe this period through fasting and spiritual reflection. The text highlights the contributions of Muslim residents to Maine society, noting their roles in various professions and charitable efforts. The resolution serves as a ceremonial gesture of respect and extends best wishes to Muslims worldwide for their observance.