Sen. Marianne Moore

Maddy summaryLD 513 would allow spouses of Maine school board members to work as paid advisors (stipend employees) or volunteers within their school district, provided the school board documents potential conflicts of interest and prioritizes student needs. School boards must adopt written policies to prevent favoritism, ensure fair hiring based on merit, and require that family ties don’t override qualifications for these roles. The law includes a sunset provision, expiring on July 1, 2028. This directly affects school board employment practices across Maine’s public school systems.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a legislative bill with policy changes. Maine's 132nd Legislature passed HP 1242 to formally honor Pope Francis following his death on April 21, 2025. The resolution commemorates his life, papacy, and legacy of service to the marginalized, citing his teachings and writings. It has no direct effect on policy, funding, or specific groups, as it is purely symbolic.

Maddy summaryLD 389 establishes a 14-member COVID-19 Review Commission to examine Maine's pandemic response. The commission will study executive orders, state contracts, health data (including suicide attempts, drug-related deaths, and testing), vaccine distribution, medical supplies, and economic impacts on communities - especially racial and ethnic minority populations. It must submit a detailed report by December 3, 2025, to the Health and Human Services Committee for potential legislative action. This bill directly affects state agencies, the legislature, and the public by mandating a transparent review of pandemic-era policies.

Maddy summaryLD 1345 requires Maine's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to pay long-term care facilities 75% of pending settlement amounts based on submitted cost reports that haven't been audited yet. Nursing facilities must receive these interim payments by October 31, 2025, while residential care facilities (private nonmedical institutions) get payments by October 1, 2025. The bill also mandates DHHS to update its rules by December 1, 2025, to ensure timely 75% reimbursements within 90 days of receiving cost reports. This directly affects nursing homes and residential care facilities awaiting payments under MaineCare reimbursement rules.

Maddy summaryThis Maine legislative resolution designates May 1, 2025, as "Purebred Dog Day" to recognize the contributions of purebred dogs as service animals, companions, and research models. It does not create new laws or regulations but formally acknowledges their historical and contemporary roles in areas like medical science, search and rescue, and family life. The resolution specifically highlights purebred dogs' documented service in fields such as guide work, conservation, and veterinary research. It is a symbolic gesture without legal or financial impact on any individuals or organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a 10% supplemental payment to MaineCare reimbursement rates for adult family care homes and residential care facilities with fewer than 10 beds or located at least 35 miles from the nearest similar facility. It directly affects small, rural, isolated, and island-based care facilities that struggle with financial sustainability. The key mechanism requires the Department of Health and Human Services to amend MaineCare rules by January 1, 2026, to add this 10% payment to eligible facilities' existing rates. The bill also mandates that the department assess how reimbursement and staffing rules impact these vulnerable facilities to protect community access and service quality.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution recognizing April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Maine. It expresses the legislature's support for survivors of sexual violence and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault. The resolution serves as a symbolic gesture to raise community awareness about sexual violence, without creating new laws or allocating funding.

Maddy summaryLD 1352 amends Maine's scallop fishing licensing rules to make the system more predictable for fishermen. It prohibits using lotteries to award apprentice licenses (which cost $250 annually) and requires new fishermen to wait until an existing license expires before applying for a hand-fishing or dragging license. The bill also directs the Department of Marine Resources to end rotational access to fishing areas, requiring all licensed fishermen to have equal access to limited areas simultaneously. These changes, effective October 2026, aim to create a more transparent entry process for the scallop fishery.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Maine's child protection laws to exclude poverty as a factor when determining child abuse or neglect. It revises definitions in the Child and Family Services Act to clarify that "willful neglect" or "abuse" does not include circumstances caused solely by poverty, such as lack of food, shelter, or healthcare due to financial hardship. The bill also requires child protection agencies to detail specific efforts made, their duration, and outcomes when seeking to prevent a child's removal from home. These changes apply to all child welfare cases handled under Maine law, affecting how officials assess neglect and make decisions about child safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine's Department of Health and Human Services to immediately adjust reimbursement rates for residential care facilities to cover inflation, retroactively effective from January 1, 2025. It mandates using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' medical care index to calculate a cost-of-living adjustment for all facility services covered under MaineCare. The bill also directs the department to complete a new rate study by January 1, 2026, ensuring providers won't face rate cuts exceeding 5% in the first year or 10% in the third year of the new system. These changes directly affect long-term care facilities serving elderly and disabled residents who rely on MaineCare funding.