Sen. Jim Libby

Maddy summaryThis bill requires voters to present a photo ID at polling places in Maine. Acceptable IDs include state driver's licenses, non-driver ID cards, passports, military IDs, or concealed carry permits with photos (but not college IDs). Voters without photo ID can request a free special voter ID card from the Secretary of State. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies to all in-person voting.

Maddy summaryLD 1439 requires Maine public schools to obtain written parental consent before conducting evaluations that test a student's intellectual, emotional, behavioral, psychological, or physical development, or that diagnose conditions related to these areas. The bill applies to all school administrative units in the state and directly affects parents or legal guardians of public school students. Schools must now secure a signed consent form for these specific evaluations, overriding any existing policies that might not require such permission. This policy change ensures parents have a formal role in decisions about these assessments before they occur.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LD 1466) allows Maine public schools in areas declared under a state of emergency by the Governor to skip making up missed instructional days if the school couldn’t operate due to the emergency. It directly affects schools in emergency zones that were physically closed because of conditions like natural disasters or public health crises. The bill requires the Commissioner of Education to automatically exempt these schools from making up days without needing a separate waiver application, and directs the Department of Education to update its rules to create a faster process for this exemption. The policy change streamlines relief for schools during emergencies, focusing on operational inability rather than requiring additional paperwork.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds "political affiliation" as a protected category under Maine's Human Rights Act, making it illegal for employers, housing providers, and public accommodations to discriminate based on an individual's political party membership or political beliefs. It directly affects most employers and service providers in Maine, though political parties themselves are explicitly excluded from the law's coverage (as stated in Section 4). The bill defines "political affiliation" broadly as belonging to or endorsing a political party, philosophy, or ideal, and would expand existing protections against discrimination in employment, housing, and public services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the University of Maine System to establish an online degree program at the University of Maine School of Law. The University of Maine System must submit a report by November 4, 2026, detailing the program's development to the legislative education committee. It directly affects the University of Maine School of Law by mandating the creation of an online option for its law degree program. The law specifies the requirement and reporting deadline but does not outline the program's structure or content.

Maddy summaryLD 1344 requires local health officers to investigate tenant complaints about nonsurface mold in rental units within 90 days. If unhealthy mold is confirmed, landlords must provide a remediation plan to tenants within 5 business days and complete the work within 60 days of the investigation report. Tenants can then file a formal complaint under habitability laws if landlords fail to fix the issue. The bill directly affects renters, landlords, and local health officials by establishing clear timelines for mold remediation in rental housing. It amends Maine's habitability law to add specific response requirements for mold complaints.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the residency requirement for students to receive state-funded tuition at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics. Currently, students must have lived in Maine with a parent, relative, or guardian for six months before applying. The bill would instead require that the student's parent or guardian be a Maine resident at the start of the school year for which tuition is paid. This change directly affects students seeking state tuition assistance at the school, altering how residency eligibility is determined.

Maddy summaryThis bill (LD 369) allows Maine's Commissioner of Education to extend conditional teaching certificates for educators facing serious personal or community issues, such as public health emergencies, illness, or extended inability to teach. School districts must submit documented proof (e.g., medical notes or superintendent requests) to request these extensions. It also adds a new pathway for issuing conditional certificates to individuals with at least 5 years of full-time college teaching experience in Maine, and removes fees for fingerprinting these applicants. The changes directly affect current and prospective teachers in Maine's conditional certification program.

Maddy summaryLD 660 requires Maine public school administrative units to post detailed curriculum and student data online for public access. It mandates schools to display 3 years of enrollment, subject offerings, and state assessment proficiency data on their websites, while prohibiting curriculum decisions based on student characteristics like race, gender, or disability. The bill also requires full transparency for state-funded professional development, including public posting of materials, schedules, attendance records, and costs for third-party contractors. This directly affects all Maine public schools, their administrative units, and the state education department, which must maintain centralized online portals for all curriculum materials and related expenses.

Maddy summaryLD 1431 authorizes Maine's Secretary of State to create an interstate voter registration cross-check program. The program would compare Maine's voter registration lists with those of other states to identify individuals registered in multiple jurisdictions, helping maintain accurate voter rolls. Maine must protect all voter data - including names, addresses, birth years, and registration details - during data exchanges, and the program must comply with federal voter registration laws. The Secretary of State may contract with private data systems to support this effort, but costs cannot exceed existing voter registration maintenance funding. This bill directly affects Maine's voter registration system and the privacy of registered voters' information.