Sen. David Haggan

Maddy summaryLD 1650 requires the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services to establish a system compensating paralegals at the average labor market rate for their work assisting indigent clients. This bill directly affects paralegals employed by the Commission to provide legal services to people who cannot afford a lawyer. The key provision mandates that the Commission implement this payment system, ensuring paralegals receive standard market compensation for their role in public defense. The policy change formally updates the Commission's duties to include paralegal compensation under existing public defense funding.

Maddy summaryLD 1470 creates a new liaison program within Maine's Bureau of Insurance to assist consumers with issues related to coverage and claims from self-insured entities (like large employers that self-fund health or workers' compensation instead of buying insurance). The program will provide consumers with information about their rights, handle complaints about coverage or reimbursement, and refer issues to appropriate authorities. It requires the bureau to publish aggregated complaint data online while keeping individual complaints confidential. This directly affects Maine consumers who interact with self-insured employers or entities, offering them a dedicated resource for resolving disputes without providing legal representation.

Maddy summaryLD 1683 amends Maine's Freedom of Access Act to eliminate fees for public record requests when accompanied by a petition signed by at least 150 registered Maine voters making the same request. This directly affects individuals or groups seeking public records who can gather sufficient voter signatures. The bill requires agencies to provide status updates every 30 working days (instead of relying on a nonbinding agency estimate), and prohibits charging any fees for such requests. These changes aim to reduce barriers to accessing government records by removing cost obstacles for community-driven requests.

Maddy summaryLD 482 requires Maine public schools to allow students enrolled in state-recognized "equivalent instruction programs" (like homeschooling alternatives) to participate in regular classes, receive academic credit, access special education services, and join extracurricular activities under clear, non-discriminatory rules. Students must apply in writing for approval, meet academic and behavioral standards like all students, and provide their own transportation for class participation. Schools cannot unreasonably deny these opportunities, and credit must be awarded for meeting standard course requirements. This bill directly affects homeschooling families and public school districts across Maine by standardizing access to school resources.

Maddy summaryLD 983 amends Maine law to require hospitals to facilitate law enforcement notifications to hospitalized patients identified as "restricted persons" under Title 34-B, section 3862-A. The bill allows police to request hospital access to inform patients they are restricted persons - typically those taken into protective custody due to potential harm to themselves or others. Hospitals must provide a clinically appropriate time for this notification and may disclose patient status without consent to enable the notice. This directly affects hospitalized individuals classified under Maine's restricted person criteria, changing hospital protocols for law enforcement coordination.

Maddy summaryLD 635 is a resolution directing Maine's Attorney General to dismiss the state's lawsuit against major oil companies (State of Maine v. BP, PLC et al, Case No. 2:2025cv00001-NT) currently pending in federal court. This would end the state's legal action regarding climate change-related claims against oil companies. The bill specifically requires withdrawal from this existing case and does not create new environmental policies or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis Maine bill (LD 890) allows pharmacists to dispense ivermectin without a new prescription upon a patient's request, but only under specific conditions. It requires a "standing order" from a licensed healthcare provider authorizing dispensing for COVID-19, flu, or cancer treatment, along with documentation of patient screening and adverse event plans. Pharmacists following these rules are deemed to be acting for a legitimate medical purpose. The law directly affects pharmacists, patients seeking these treatments, and healthcare providers issuing standing orders. It does not approve ivermectin for these conditions but changes dispensing protocols under defined safeguards.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Maine's Certificate of Need (CON) requirements for healthcare facilities, which previously mandated state approval before building new facilities or expanding services. It directly affects hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare providers by removing a major regulatory barrier to entry and expansion. The key mechanism is eliminating the CON process, aiming to increase provider competition and options for patients. This change is intended to boost healthcare availability and affordability by encouraging more facilities to open or expand without state approval. The bill also updates related regulations on reimbursement calculations and provider lists.

Maddy summaryLD 1698 requires dam owners (or potential transferees) seeking to transfer ownership of non-federally licensed dams to submit detailed documentation to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The bill mandates comprehensive information including dam condition reports, environmental assessments, insurance records, financial data, engineering plans, permits, water rights details, and emergency response plans. This documentation must cover the dam's physical condition, operational history, environmental risks, financial obligations, and associated infrastructure for the prior and next decade. The requirement applies to all owners transferring dams, ensuring the department can evaluate safety, environmental impact, and maintenance responsibilities before approving ownership changes.

Maddy summaryLD 1415 requires Maine legislators and lobbyists to report "behested payments" - payments made for legislative, governmental, or charitable purposes at a legislator's suggestion or in coordination with them. Legislators must report payments of $200 or more made on their behalf within 45 days, while lobbyists must report payments totaling $200 or more to a single organization or $400 or more to multiple organizations within 15 days of the following month. Reports must include the payment amount, organization's name and purpose, the lobbyist's details, and the legislator's name. This bill directly affects legislators and lobbyists who engage in these types of transactions.