Divisions nearly thwarted Democrats’ efforts to pass the landmark legislation.
Maine State House
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Maine legislative agenda could chip away at lawsuit’s gripes against indigent defense system
A lawsuit against the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services has been quietly pending for more than a year. And while neither group will talk about its progress, a number of pending bills take aim at fixing the system.
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Mills announces plan to add 140 treatment beds to combat ongoing opioid crisis
The $6 million investment is the latest effort to reverse an epidemic that claimed a record 716 lives just last year.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Lawmakers consider bill to remove criminal statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse
The measure would remove time limits to prosecute childhood sexual abuse cases, but wouldn’t apply retroactively. Opponents say the proposal interferes with important safeguards for the accused.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Lawmakers considering proposals to create statewide database for General Assistance
Tracking information could be an essential part of larger reforms for the program, some lawmakers and state officials say.
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Municipal leaders ask state to increase General Assistance reimbursements
Lawmakers are considering a handful of bills that would increase the state reimbursement to 90%.
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Debate over access to police discipline records reaches State House
The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee Monday listened to arguments over a bill that would expand public access to the disciplinary records of public employees, including police.
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Father’s death spurs Yarmouth woman’s bid to change malpractice law
Robyn Byrnes says doctors misdiagnosed her father’s cancer, but she didn’t learn that until after the 3-year statute of limitations had expired. Now she’s advocating for a bill that would start the clock when the negligence is discovered.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Lawmakers consider proposals to stop changing clocks twice a year
The Legislature is weighing 3 bills: One would have the state make Eastern Standard Time permanent, a second would do the same for Eastern Daylight Time, and a third would study the impacts of no longer changing the clocks.
Posted inMaine, News
Lawmakers consider raising salaries of sexual assault victim advocates
Sen. Jill Duson, D-Portland, said the bill would allow the state to raise what it pays victim advocates from $32,000 to $45,000 a year.