Sen. Denise Tepler

Maddy summaryLD 961 repeals a requirement that certified nurse practitioners (CNPs) in Maine must practice under physician supervision for two years before providing independent care. It also eliminates the "supervising nurse practitioner" designation, which was previously used to oversee CNPs during their supervised period. This change directly affects CNPs by removing barriers to independent practice, allowing them to provide care without the two-year restriction. The bill aims to address Maine's health care workforce shortage by expanding access to qualified providers.

Maddy summaryLD 754 bans the sale, use, and possession of single-use e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, e-hookahs, and vape pens, directly affecting retailers, manufacturers, and consumers of these products. It imposes escalating civil penalties: $500 for a first violation, $1,000 for a second, and $5,000 for third or more offenses. The bill also requires the Department of Environmental Protection to convene a stakeholder group by December 3, 2025, to review extended producer responsibility options for batteries used in these devices and other batteries not currently covered by such requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine health insurance carriers to report quarterly on denied claims and prior authorizations starting in 2026. Carriers must track the number of denials and list the five most common reasons for both claim denials and prior authorization denials. The Superintendent of Insurance will compile these reports, along with federal data from the Affordable Care Act, into an annual report submitted to the relevant legislative committee by January 31 each year. The committee may then propose new legislation based on the findings to address patterns in insurance denials.

Maddy summaryLD 1682 (2025) amends Maine's income tax code to create new higher tax brackets and rates for tax years beginning in 2025. It directly affects high-income earners: single filers with income over $300,000, heads of household over $450,000, and married couples filing jointly over $600,000. The bill increases the top tax rate from 7.15% to 10.15% for these income levels, while raising the income thresholds where higher rates apply compared to current brackets. The changes apply to all three filing statuses (single, head of household, married joint returns) and are effective starting January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryLD 697 directs Maine's Prescription Drug Affordability Board to set annual spending targets for prescription drugs purchased by state and local government health plans (excluding MaineCare), using a formula based on a 10-year average of medical care costs plus inflation, minus savings. The board must assess cost-reduction strategies, including reference-based pricing - which aligns drug prices with those in other regions - and establish a 12-member advisory council with representatives from state agencies, labor unions, and consumer groups to advise on setting targets and methods. The board will also identify public payors (state, county, and municipal health plans) likely to exceed the spending targets.

Maddy summaryLD 1336 establishes the Maine-Aomori Sister-State Advisory Council to promote cooperation between Maine and Aomori Prefecture, Japan. The council, composed of 15 appointed members with diverse expertise (including education, business, arts, and international exchanges), advises the Governor on cultural, educational, and commercial opportunities between the two regions. It must meet at least three times yearly, operate without member compensation, and identify funding sources for its work. The bill allocates $20,000 annually from the General Fund for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to support the council’s operations. This procedural bill formalizes an existing relationship without creating new substantive policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine's Department of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the State Fire Marshal, to create a voluntary take-back and disposal program for firefighting and fire-suppressing foam containing PFAS chemicals (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The program must collect such foam from Maine residents or businesses that request it and ensure its safe disposal by July 1, 2027. It allows the department to hire outside contractors and create necessary rules for implementation. The bill directly affects anyone in Maine possessing PFAS-containing foam used for firefighting or fire suppression.

Maddy summaryLD 178 prohibits health insurance plans from requiring patients with advanced metastatic cancer or related symptoms (like severe side effects from cancer or treatment) to try and fail on other drugs before covering an FDA-approved treatment. It applies to health plans that cover these conditions and directly affects patients seeking timely access to necessary medications. The law ensures coverage for FDA-approved drugs that align with medical guidelines and evidence-based practice, eliminating a common step therapy barrier. This change removes delays in accessing approved treatments without altering insurance coverage requirements for other conditions.

Maddy summaryLD 296 allocates $2 million in one-time funding from the General Fund to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for the Lake Water Quality Restoration and Protection Fund. The bill provides resources for specific projects that improve or maintain lake water quality across the state, with funding designated for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years. This funding directly supports the DEP’s efforts to address lake water quality issues but does not specify particular lakes or project details. The measure is a straightforward budget appropriation focused on environmental protection.

Maddy summaryLD 400 requires the Maine State Fire Marshal to compile a statewide inventory of aqueous film-forming foam concentrate (AFFF), a firefighting foam, held by public and private entities possessing 5 gallons or more. Starting July 1, 2026, public entities (like state and local governments) must report their holdings within one year, while private entities must report over a two-year period. The completed inventory, made public as a record, must be submitted to the Maine Legislature by July 1, 2028, for review by environmental and public safety committees. This measure gathers data on AFFF distribution without changing its use or regulation.