Sen. Marianne Moore

Maddy summaryLD 1878 establishes a managed care program for MaineCare, requiring the state to contract with three health plans to deliver comprehensive services to specific MaineCare enrollees: TANF recipients, CHIP participants, Medicaid beneficiaries under age 65 with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level, and dual-eligible Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries. The health plans must cover physical health, behavioral health, pharmacy, and dental services, and address social determinants of health like housing and food insecurity. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services will manage the program but cannot alter eligibility rules, such as income thresholds, while pursuing federal waivers as needed.

Maddy summaryLD 1973 establishes a 15-member commission to study oversight and funding for recovery residences in Maine. The commission will examine five key areas: state funding models for recovery residences, potential certification/licensure requirements, policies around prescribed medications (including medication-assisted treatment), standards for the National Alliance for Recovery Residences, and other operational policies. This study directly affects recovery residences (both certified and uncertified), residents (particularly regarding medication access), housing advocates, and state agencies like Health and Human Services. The commission must submit findings and recommendations to the Health and Human Services committee by December 3, 2025, to inform future legislation.

Maddy summaryLD 1448 requires the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to keep the gate open at Bog Lake public boat launch in Northfield from January 1 to March 15 annually. This bill directly affects winter users of the boat launch and the state agency managing the facility. The key provision mandates a specific, year-round open period for the gate, replacing any previous seasonal closures. This policy change ensures consistent public access without requiring additional permits or fees during those months.

Maddy summaryLD 151 allows Maine businesses to charge an extra fee (surcharge) when customers pay with credit or debit cards, which was previously prohibited. Businesses must clearly disclose this fee before payment and ensure it does not exceed the actual cost of processing card payments. The bill specifically exempts government entities (like municipalities, schools, and courts) from this change, as they have always been permitted to charge surcharges for fees such as taxes or permits. It also repeals a separate law that previously barred travel service providers from adding card surcharges. This change directly affects businesses and their customers, not government fees.

Maddy summaryLD 388 exempts military child care providers on military installations or certified by the U.S. Department of Defense or Coast Guard from Maine's state licensing requirements for family child care. This directly affects military families in Maine who use these specific child care providers, removing duplicative state licensing barriers. The bill amends Maine law to state that such providers are exempt from Title 22, Chapter 1673 licensing rules, which govern most child care facilities. The change simplifies access to childcare for military personnel without altering federal standards for these facilities.

Maddy summaryLD 1799 directs Maine's Department of Health and Human Services to convene a stakeholder group to review the Progressive Treatment Program and the processes for involuntary psychiatric hospital admissions or court-ordered community treatment. The review will examine barriers in filing applications, enforcement of treatment plans, and the efficiency of current procedures to reduce delays in care. The stakeholder group must include patients, families, healthcare providers, legal representatives, and community advocates, and will submit recommendations by December 3, 2025. These findings may inform future legislation but do not change current laws or policies.

Maddy summaryLD 831 creates a 120-day grace period before a vehicle is deemed abandoned if the owner is involuntarily hospitalized for psychiatric care. It requires the hospital, vehicle owner, or an authorized representative to notify the Secretary of State of the hospitalization, which triggers the grace period. The bill limits storage fees to $600 for the first 30 days and $1,500 for each subsequent 30-day period. It also prevents the Secretary of State from issuing a title or ownership document until after the 120-day period ends. This directly affects vehicle owners facing involuntary hospitalization and property owners managing vehicles on their premises.

Maddy summaryLD 1929 requires owners of seasonal residential dwellings (properties unoccupied over 30 days yearly) to conduct annual hazard inspections, arrange for caretakers during unoccupied periods, and share caretaker contact information with utilities and municipalities. It mandates the Public Utilities Commission to create a statewide hazard reporting system (hotline/online portal), run public education campaigns, and offer financial help to low-income owners. Public utilities must maintain caretaker contact lists, develop repair protocols prioritizing occupied homes during outages, and conduct annual inspections on utility lines with outage histories linked to seasonal properties. The bill aims to prevent utility disruptions caused by unattended seasonal properties through clear owner obligations, utility protocols, and commission support.

Maddy summaryLD 1845 establishes the Working Waterfront Advisory Council to address challenges facing Maine's working waterfronts, which include ports, harbors, and coastal areas used for fishing, shipping, and maritime industries. The council, appointed by the Maine Office of Community Affairs with up to 15 members representing tribes, municipalities, industries, and other stakeholders, must meet at least four times yearly and submit annual reports by February 1 to legislative committees on issues like access, climate resilience, workforce housing, and economic development. The bill also requires the Maine Office of Community Affairs to submit similar annual reports on working waterfront initiatives to the same committees, focusing on progress and recommendations from coalitions and tribal partnerships.

Maddy summaryLD 774 requires all state-owned buildings (occupied, nonresidential buildings where state employees work) to have bleeding control kits by October 1, 2026. These kits must include specific items like tourniquets, wound-packing gauze, and specialized dressings approved by medical authorities, and must be inspected regularly for expiration and condition. The bill also creates a fund to provide grants or reimbursements to schools, businesses, or organizations that place kits or offer related training. It protects individuals who use kits in good faith during emergencies from liability, unless gross negligence occurs. This applies to all state-owned buildings except vacant, construction, or renovation sites.