Sen. Donna Bailey

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 summaryThis bill (SP 786) is a symbolic resolution designating May 2025 as "Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month" in Maine. It does not create new policies or funding; it is a formal recognition by the Maine Legislature to highlight cystic fibrosis (CF) and promote awareness of the disease. The resolution acknowledges the impact of CF on approximately 268 Mainers, the importance of early diagnosis, and the need for access to treatments. It aims to raise public awareness about CF, which affects lung and digestive health, but does not alter healthcare access or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Maine's insurance and hearing aid dealer laws to remove a barrier for people needing replacement hearing aids. It ensures health insurance (for both individual and group plans) cannot deny or delay coverage for a replacement hearing aid solely because the person is too ill or infirm to attend a required hearing examination. Similarly, it allows hearing aid dealers to sell replacements without an exam when the person is unable to safely attend due to illness, provided they are replacing an existing aid of the same type. The change directly affects Maine residents who require hearing aid replacements but face health challenges preventing them from completing routine exams.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows children in Maine to file for protection orders against domestic or sexual abuse without needing a parent or guardian to file on their behalf. It directly affects minors experiencing abuse by granting them direct access to legal protection. The law requires certified counselors (as defined in Maine law) or domestic violence advocates to assist children in filing and supporting their cases. This replaces the prior requirement that an adult must initiate such orders for minors.

Maddy summaryLD 538 amends Maine's prescription drug labeling law to allow prescribers of mifepristone, misoprostol, and their generic alternatives to request that prescription labels display their healthcare facility's name instead of their personal name. This change would be optional and directly affect prescribers of these medications, as well as the labeling process for pharmacies handling these drugs. The bill does not require the change but provides an alternative for prescribers seeking to limit personal identification on labels. It applies only to the specified drugs and maintains existing requirements for other label information.

Maddy summaryLD 228 amends Maine's Natural Resources Protection Act to allow the Department of Environmental Protection to approve a one-time 2-foot height increase for existing coastal seawalls in sand dune systems. This applies to seawalls already in place as of January 1, 2025, provided the increase meets all other department requirements. The bill also permits a similar 2-foot height allowance when replacing seawalls destroyed or threatened by storms. It directly affects coastal property owners and municipalities seeking to adapt existing infrastructure to rising sea levels and increased storm impacts.

Maddy summaryLD 1688 requires Maine's medical and nursing licensing boards to encourage physicians and nurses to complete continuing education on specific infection-associated chronic conditions, including long COVID and chronic Lyme disease. The bill defines "long COVID" as persistent health issues following a COVID-19 infection that may last weeks to years and be debilitating. This applies to current licensees and those renewing their licenses, with the education needing board approval. The law amends existing statutes to add this encouragement requirement for continuing education.

Maddy summaryMaine's legislature has passed a joint resolution recognizing May 2025 as National Arthritis Awareness Month. The resolution highlights arthritis as a leading cause of disability affecting nearly 60 million Americans, with significant economic costs and widespread impact across all age groups. It urges Maine citizens to learn about arthritis, raise public awareness of its health and economic consequences, and support efforts toward a cure. This symbolic measure does not create new laws or policies but aligns with the longstanding national observance of arthritis awareness.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates May 2025 as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month in Maine. It calls on citizens to support ALS research, advocate for increased funding, and stand in solidarity with individuals and families affected by the disease. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funds, or impose legal requirements - it serves as a symbolic gesture to raise public awareness about ALS. The bill references ALS as a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no known cure, highlighting its impact on military veterans and the importance of research funding.

Maddy summaryLD 1534 allows Maine municipalities to adopt local rent stabilization and tenant protection rules. It enables towns to set annual rent increase limits (capping increases at 5% or the local Consumer Price Index change, whichever is lower) and require "just cause" for evictions - meaning landlords must have specific reasons like nonpayment, lease violations, or criminal activity to evict a tenant. The law directly affects renters and landlords in participating municipalities, with exemptions for owner-occupied buildings (4 units or fewer), housing authority units, dormitories, and elderly care facilities. Municipalities adopting these rules must report annually to state housing authorities, but the bill does not override existing state or federal tenant protections.