Report sorted by Priority. Updated 2/10/09 9:01:18 AM.
View report by Committee (http://howeandcompany.com/legisweb/1299/committee.htm).
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Priority Legislation

LD 40: An Act To Prohibit Certain Uses of Cellular Telephones and Handheld Electronic Devices while Operating a Motor Vehicle Web Link to LD 40

Description:

This bill prohibits the use of a handheld cellular telephone and a handheld electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. The bill clarifies that law enforcement officers, corrections officers, firefighters, drivers of authorized emergency vehicles, holders of commercial driver's licenses, physicians, municipal public works personnel, Maine Turnpike Authority personnel and state transportation personnel, including all employees and contractors of the Department of Transportation, may use handheld cellular telephones while driving within the scope of their employment. The bill makes the offense a traffic infraction.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative HOGAN of Old Orchard Beach	Cosponsors:	Representative BLANCHARD of Old Town Senator BLISS of Cumberland Representative CASAVANT of Biddeford Representative EATON of Sullivan Representative MILLER of Somerville Representative SCHATZ of Blue Hill Representative SIROIS of Turner Representative TREAT of Hallowell Representative WHEELER of Kittery
Committee:	Trans	Hearing:	Feb 13, 2009, 1000AM Room 126
		Work Session:	Feb 19, 2009, 0100PM Room 126 State House

LD 41: An Act To Prohibit the Use of a Handheld Cellular Telephone While Operating a Motor Vehicle Web Link to LD 41

Description:

This bill prohibits the use of a handheld cellular telephone and text messaging while operating a motor vehicle. The bill clarifies that law enforcement officers, corrections officers, firefighters, drivers of authorized emergency vehicles, holders of commercial driver's licenses, physicians, municipal public works personnel, Maine Turnpike Authority personnel and state transportation personnel, including all employees and contractors of the Department of Transportation, may use handheld cellular telephones while driving within the scope of their employment. The bill makes the offense a traffic infraction.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative BEAUDOIN of Biddeford	Cosponsors:	Representative BRYANT of Windham Representative CASAVANT of Biddeford Representative HASKELL of Portland Representative LAJOIE of Lewiston Senator SIMPSON of Androscoggin Representative WAGNER of Lewiston Representative WATSON of Bath Representative WRIGHT of Berwick
Committee:	Trans	Hearing:	Feb 13, 2009, 1000AM Room 126
		Work Session:	Feb 19, 2009, 0100PM Room 126 State House

LD 59: An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the Confidentiality of Correctional Facility Plans Web Link to LD 59

Description:

This bill adds security plans for correctional facilities to the list of documents that are confidential under the freedom of access laws.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative CROCKETT of Augusta	Cosponsors:	Representative BLODGETT of Augusta Representative GILES of Belfast Representative HASKELL of Portland Representative NASS of Acton Senator SIMPSON of Androscoggin Representative WATSON of Bath
Committee:	CJ	Hearing:	Feb 25, 2009, 1000AM Room 436 State House
		Work Session:

LD 163: An Act To Require Health Care Practitioners To Distribute Free Samples of Medications in Certain Circumstances Web Link to LD 163

Description:

This bill requires health care practitioners to distribute free samples of medications to patients in order to test the reaction of the patient to the medication and the effectiveness of the medication in the treatment of the disease or condition. The requirement to distribute free samples depends on availability, appropriateness and timeliness.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative BEAUDOIN of Biddeford	Cosponsors:	Senator CRAVEN of Androscoggin and Representatives BOLAND of Sanford, HOGAN of Old Orchard Beach, JONES of Mount Vernon, LAJOIE of Lewiston, LEGG of Kennebunk, MORRISON of South Portland, WATSON of Bath, WRIGHT of Berwick.
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:	Feb 11, 2009, 0900AM Room 209 Cross Building
		Work Session:	Feb 12, 2009, 0100PM Room 209 Cross Building

LD 320: Resolve, Regarding the Use of MaineCare for Catastrophic Illness Web Link to LD 320

Description:

This resolve requires the Department of Health and Human Services, through its office of MaineCare services, to apply for a Medicaid waiver to provide beginning April 1, 2010 MaineCare coverage for persons with physical disabilities who develop a catastrophic illness and requires a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters by January 1, 2010 on the progress of the waiver application.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative TUTTLE of Sanford	Cosponsors:
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:
		Work Session:

Legislation Of Interest

LD 17: An Act To Prohibit the Sale of Energy Drinks to Minors Web Link to LD 17

Description:

This bill prohibits the sale of energy drinks to minors. An energy drink is a soft drink specifically designed to provide energy that contains 80 or more milligrams of caffeine per 8 fluid ounces.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative PENDLETON of Scarborough.	Cosponsors:
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:	Feb 4, 2009, 0100PM Room 209 Cross Building
		Work Session:	Feb 5, 2009, 0200PM Room 209 Cross Building

LD 18: An Act To Ensure Access to MaineCare Services Web Link to LD 18

Description:

This bill ensures access to MaineCare services by providing incentives for health care practitioners to serve MaineCare members. The incentives, which will be established by routine technical rulemaking that must be completed by January 1, 2010, may include reimbursement or other incentives.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative BEAUDOIN of Biddeford.	Cosponsors:	Senator SCHNEIDER of Penobscot and Senator CRAVEN of Androscoggin, Representatives BLODGETT of Augusta, CAMPBELL of Newfield, CONNOR of Kennebunk, EATON of Sullivan, HOGAN of Old Orchard Beach, TREAT of Hallowell, WEAVER of York.
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:	Feb 3, 2009, 0200PM Room 209 Cross Building
		Work Session:	Feb 5, 2009, 0100PM Room 209 Cross Building

LD 19: An Act To Amend the Laws Regarding Public Rest Rooms Web Link to LD 19

Description:

This bill requires that all places of public accommodation that provide rest room facilities provide disposable toilet seat covers.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative BEAUDOIN of Biddeford	Cosponsors:	Representative BLANCHARD of Old Town Representative CASAVANT of Biddeford Representative CROCKETT of Augusta Representative HOGAN of Old Orchard Beach Representative PIEH of Bremen Representative TRINWARD of Waterville Representative TUTTLE of Sanford Representative VALENTINO of Saco
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:	Jan 29, 2009, 0115PM Room 209 Cross Building
		Work Session:	Jan 29, 2009, 0130PM Room 209 Cross Building

LD 21: An Act To Encourage the Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders Web Link to LD 21

Description:

This bill requires health insurance policies, contracts and certificates to provide coverage for diagnostic testing and screening for autism spectrum disorders. The provisions of this bill apply to all policies, contracts and certificates issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2010.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative BRYANT of Windham	Cosponsors:	Senator BRYANT of Oxford Representative CAREY of Lewiston Senator GERZOFSKY of Cumberland
Committee:	IFS	Hearing:
		Work Session:

LD 63: An Act To Reduce Registration Fees for Certain Generators of Biomedical Waste Web Link to LD 63

Description:

This bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt rules assessing a one-time registration fee of $50 for generators of less than 10 pounds of biomedical waste per month in lieu of the current rules that provide for an annual registration fee. It also provides that a generator registered as producing less than 10 pounds of biomedical waste per month may not be reclassified based on immunizations for annual influenza or mass immunizations for a pandemic.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative PINKHAM of Lexington Township	Cosponsors:
Committee:	NR	Hearing:	Feb 12, 2009, 0100PM Room 214 Cross Building
		Work Session:

LD 89: An Act To Amend the Laws Concerning Informal Conferences as Part of the Board of Licensure in Medicine's Disciplinary Proceedings Web Link to LD 89

Description:

This bill would allow a subcommittee of the Board of Licensure in Medicine to request an informal conference with a licensee when the board finds a complaint warrants further action. Currently, only the full board may request an informal conference. This bill is intended to facilitate complaint resolution and disciplinary proceedings.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Senator RECTOR of Knox	Cosponsors:	Representative AUSTIN of Gray Representative CLEARY of Houlton Representative MacDONALD of Boothbay Representative SMITH of Monmouth
Committee:	BRED	Hearing:	Feb 5, 2009, 0100PM Room 208 Cross Building
		Work Session:	Feb 12, 2009, 0200PM Room 208 Cross Building

LD 94: An Act To Authorize the State Board of Nursing To Request Mental and Physical Examinations and To Establish a Nurse Health Program Web Link to LD 94

Description:

This bill provides authority for the State Board of Nursing to require an applicant for licensure or a licensee to undergo a physical or mental health examination for purposes of determining fitness to practice nursing. The language is consistent with that found in medical and dental statutes. The bill also provides for an alternative to a discipline program for nurses with substance abuse history by creating a nurse health program consistent with those available for other health care providers.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative PERRY of Calais	Cosponsors:	Representative AUSTIN of Gray Representative DRISCOLL of Westbrook Senator GERZOFSKY of Cumberland Representative PENDLETON of Scarborough Senator RECTOR of Knox Representative SMITH of Monmouth
Committee:	BRED	Hearing:	Feb 5, 2009, 0100PM Room 208 Cross Building
		Work Session:	Feb 12, 2009, 0200PM Room 208 Cross Building

LD 99: An Act To Allow Authorization for the Release of HIV Information on a General Medical Information Release Form Web Link to LD 99

Description:

This bill allows the release of HIV infection status information when a person authorizes the release of general medical information and eliminates the requirement for a specific authorization to be signed at the time a person receives the results of an HIV test.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative PINKHAM of Lexington Township	Cosponsors:
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:	Feb 4, 2009, 0100PM Room 209 Cross Building
		Work Session:	Feb 5, 2009, 0200PM Room 209 Cross Building

LD 101: An Act To Extend the Operation of the Maine Health Data Processing Center and To Amend the Maine Health Data Organization Statutes Web Link to LD 101

Description:

This bill extends the operation of the Maine Health Data Processing Center to September 1, 2015 and increases the length of time individuals may serve on the center’s board of directors. This bill also repeals the requirement for hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to maintain lists of average charges for procedures specified by the Maine Health Data Organization through rulemaking. In place of the lists, individual hospitals and surgical centers shall, upon request from an individual, provide the charge for any service rendered by the facility. In addition, the bill requires the Maine Health Data Organization to create an interactive website displaying prices paid for specific procedures performed at all Maine hospitals and impacted surgical, diagnostic or other nonhospital facilities. Additionally, this bill makes some minor modifications to definitions in the statutes governing the Maine Health Data Organization and adds a representative from the Bureau of Insurance to the Maine Health Data Organization board of directors.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative PERRY of Calais	Cosponsors:	Senator BRANNIGAN of Cumberland Representative JONES of Mount Vernon Senator MARRACHÉ of Kennebec Representative MILLER of Somerville
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:	Feb 3, 2009, 0100PM Room 209 Cross Building
		Work Session:	Feb 5, 2009, 0100PM Room 209 Cross Building

LD 155: An Act To Ban Smoking on Public Beaches and in Public Parks Web Link to LD 155

Description:

This bill prohibits smoking on public beaches and in public parks.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative KNIGHT of Livermore Falls	Cosponsors:	Representative HOGAN of Old Orchard Beach Representative INNES of Yarmouth Representative JONES of Mount Vernon Senator NUTTING of Androscoggin Representative PERRY of Calais Representative RUSSELL of Portland Representative SIROIS of Turner Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland Representative VAN WIE of New Gloucester
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:	Feb 11, 2009, 0900AM Room 209 Cross Building
		Work Session:	Feb 12, 2009, 0100PM Room 209 Cross Building

LD 162: An Act To Clarify Child Abuse and Neglect Information Disclosure Web Link to LD 162

Description:

The Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 4008-A sets forth the limits of disclosure of information in the investigation of abuse and neglect of children and in the confidentiality of records pertaining to child abuse and neglect. The federal Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families has informed the State that corrections are needed in this section of the statutes to be in compliance with the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and the Social Security Act.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative CASAVANT of Biddeford	Cosponsors:	Representative DILL of Cape Elizabeth
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:	Feb 17, 2009, 0100PM Room 438 State House
		Work Session:

LD 191: An Act Regarding Insurance Copayments for Short-term Prescriptions Web Link to LD 191

Description:

This bill requires an individual or group health insurer, a health maintenance organization that provides health coverage for prescription drugs and a 3rd-party administrator or pharmaceutical benefits manager to adjust the copayment to accommodate a short-term prescription. The copayment must be proportional. The bill requires the Superintendent of Insurance to adopt routine technical rules that include a penalty provision. The penalty provision must require an insurer that does not comply with the requirements and rules to pay a contribution to the Unused Pharmaceutical Disposal Program Fund established under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 2700, subsection 5. As part of the rule-making process, notice must be given to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over insurance and financial services matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters. The requirements apply to policies, contracts and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State on or after January 1, 2010.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative PERRY of Calais	Cosponsors:	Senator BRANNIGAN of Cumberland Representative JONES of Mount Vernon Representative TREAT of Hallowell Representative WEBSTER of Freeport
Committee:	IFS	Hearing:	Feb 10, 2009, 0100PM Room 427 State House
		Work Session:	Feb 17, 2009, 0130PM Room 427 State House

LD 206: Resolve, To Fund the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program Web Link to LD 206

Description:

This resolve directs the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor and the Department of Education to research federal funding sources to fund the nursing education loan repayment program and report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services with suggested plans to obtain federal funding.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative DRISCOLL of Westbrook	Cosponsors:	Senator BARTLETT of Cumberland Representative CLARK of Millinocket Representative CONNOR of Kennebunk Senator JACKSON of Aroostook Representative PENDLETON of Scarborough Representative PERRY of Calais Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland Representative TUTTLE of Sanford
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:	Feb 19, 2009, 0100PM Room 202 Cross Building
		Work Session:

LD 217: Resolve, To Increase Transparency in the Long-term Care Planning and Delivery Process To Ensure Maine's Elderly Can Make Informed Choices Web Link to LD 217

Description:

This resolve directs the Department of Health and Human Services to amend the rules relating to the transition process for nursing facility patients admitted to hospitals awaiting transition into residential care and improving the hospital discharge planning process. The resolve also directs the Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Elder and Adult Services to convene a working group with representatives of the Long-term Care Ombudsman, hospitals, nursing facilities and residential care facilities to find ways to improve the transparency and coordination of services in the hospital and long-term care facility discharge planning process, with the goal of providing patients and their families with a more coordinated, efficient and patient-friendly process that meets the specific needs of individual patients, including behavioral health needs. It also authorizes the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services to submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative BEAULIEU of Auburn	Cosponsors:	Representative BEAUDOIN of Biddeford Representative CLARK of Millinocket Representative CLEARY of Houlton Senator COURTNEY of York Representative JONES of Mount Vernon Representative LAJOIE of Lewiston Representative LEWIN of Eliot Representative SIROIS of Turner Representative WEAVER of York
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:	Feb 11, 2009, 0900AM Room 209 Cross Building
		Work Session:	Feb 12, 2009, 0100PM Room 209 Cross Building

LD 251: An Act To Protect the Safety of Maine Children by Requiring the Express Consent of a Legal Guardian To Dispense Prescription Medication to a Minor Web Link to LD 251

Description:

This bill prohibits dispensing prescription drugs to a minor without express consent from the minor's parents or legal guardian unless the minor is living independently of parental or guardian support, is or was married, is or was serving in the Armed Forces of the United States or has been legally emancipated.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative CEBRA of Naples	Cosponsors:	Representative AUSTIN of Gray Representative FITTS of Pittsfield Representative JOY of Crystal Senator PLOWMAN of Penobscot Representative SARTY of Denmark Representative SYKES of Harrison Representative TARDY of Newport Representative THOMAS of Ripley
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:
		Work Session:

LD 252: An Act Regarding the Transfer of Nursing Facilities Web Link to LD 252

Description:

This bill provides that, for sales of nursing facilities that occur on or after October 1, 2010, the Department of Health and Human Services may not require repayment of depreciation reimbursed under the MaineCare program. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to amend the rules of reimbursement under the MaineCare program applicable to nursing facilities to implement the provisions of this bill and designates such rules as routine technical rules.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative AYOTTE of Caswell	Cosponsors:	Representative BEAULIEU of Auburn Representative EDGECOMB of Caribou Senator JACKSON of Aroostook Representative JOY of Crystal Representative LEWIN of Eliot Representative McFADDEN of Dennysville Representative MILLETT of Waterford Senator SHERMAN of Aroostook Representative THOMAS of Ripley
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:	Feb 11, 2009, 0900AM Room 209 Cross Building
		Work Session:	Feb 12, 2009, 0100PM Room 209 Cross Building

LD 254: An Act To Enact a 5-point Welfare Reform Program Web Link to LD 254

Description:

This bill enacts a 5-point welfare reform package. The bill imposes a 90-day residency requirement for general assistance, provides the New Hire tax credit for employers hiring recipients of welfare benefits, changes the 20-hour work participation requirement in the ASPIRE-TANF program, adjusts benefits to reflect earned income and imposes a 60-month lifetime limitation on ASPIRE-TANF benefits for adults. This bill specifies that the New Hire tax credit applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2010.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative CEBRA of Naples	Cosponsors:	Representative AUSTIN of Gray Representative FITTS of Pittsfield Representative HAMPER of Oxford Representative JOY of Crystal Senator PLOWMAN of Penobscot Representative ROBINSON of Raymond Representative SARTY of Denmark Representative SYKES of Harrison Representative THOMAS of Ripley
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:
		Work Session:

LD 255: An Act To Allow Persons Licensed for the Practice of Manicuring To Provide Treatment for Diabetics Web Link to LD 255

Description:

This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208. This bill proposes to allow a person licensed for the practice of manicuring to perform pedicures for a person with diabetes as a medical treatment covered by health insurance.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative THERIAULT of Madawaska	Cosponsors:	Representative AYOTTE of Caswell Representative BEAUDOIN of Biddeford Representative BOLAND of Sanford Representative CLARK of Millinocket Representative GIFFORD of Lincoln Senator JACKSON of Aroostook Representative LAJOIE of Lewiston Representative PEOPLES of Westbrook Representative PERCY of Phippsburg
Committee:	IFS	Hearing:	Feb 23, 2009, 0130PM Room 427 State House
		Work Session:

LD 257: An Act To Establish the Health Technology Clinical Committee Web Link to LD 257

Description:

This bill requires the Maine Quality Forum to establish a health technology assessment program to make determinations as to which health technologies and health care services will be included as covered benefits in publicly funded health care plans. The bill establishes the Health Technology Clinical Committee, a 5-member committee of health care providers, to conduct the assessments and make the coverage determinations based on reviews of scientific evidence.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative PRIEST of Brunswick	Cosponsors:	Representative BEAUDOIN of Biddeford Representative BECK of Waterville Senator BOWMAN of York Representative FOSSEL of Alna Representative GOODE of Bangor Representative MILLER of Somerville Representative PERRY of Calais Representative TREAT of Hallowell
Committee:	IFS	Hearing:	Feb 9, 2009, 0930AM Room 427 State House
		Work Session:	Feb 17, 2009, 0130PM Room 427 State House

LD 319: An Act To Track the Prevalence of Childhood Obesity in Maine Web Link to LD 319

Description:

This bill would create a protocol for all school nurses to follow in the collection of body mass index data from children and provide a method for uniform reporting to the Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative RANKIN of Hiram	Cosponsors:	Senator ALFOND of Cumberland Representative BEAUDOIN of Biddeford Representative BRIGGS of Mexico Representative CAIN of Orono Representative HAYES of Buckfield Representative PEOPLES of Westbrook Representative PETERSON of Rumford Speaker PINGREE of North Haven Representative SANBORN of Gorham
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:
		Work Session:

LD 337: An Act Regarding Emergency Involuntary Admission of a Participant in the Department of Health and Human Services' Progressive Treatment Program to a State Mental Institute Web Link to LD 337

Description:

This bill broadens the list of persons who are authorized to petition the District Court for rehospitalization of a participant in the progressive treatment program to include 2 categories of nurses who are already authorized to certify emergency hospitalization.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Senator NUTTING of Androscoggin	Cosponsors:	Representative LEWIN of Eliot Senator MARRACHÉ of Kennebec Representative PERRY of Calais Senator RAYE of Washington
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:
		Work Session:

LD 341: An Act To Amend the Department of Health and Human Services' Progressive Treatment Program Web Link to LD 341

Description:

This bill provides for an extension of up to 6 months of the period of participation in the Department of Health and Human Services' progressive treatment program for a person suffering from a severe and persistent mental illness who has been involuntarily committed to a state mental health institute and who has been participating in the progressive treatment program. This bill also changes the age for participating in the progressive treatment program from 21 years of age and older to 19 years of age and older.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Senator NUTTING of Androscoggin	Cosponsors:	Representative LEWIN of Eliot Senator MARRACHÉ of Kennebec Representative PERRY of Calais Senator RAYE of Washington
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:
		Work Session:

LD 361: An Act To Require a Birth Certificate for a Stillborn Child Web Link to LD 361

Description:

This bill creates a certificate of birth for a stillborn child. It requires that the certificate be prepared and filed in accordance with the requirements for certificates filed to register live births and that the certificate be offered to the parents, who may choose to include a name for the stillborn child on the certificate. It requires the certificate to be filed within 3 days of the stillbirth and prior to cremation or removal of the stillborn child from the place of the stillbirth. If a certificate has not been registered within a year of the stillbirth, it still may be filed but must be marked "Delayed Registration of Stillbirth" and registered in accordance with the requirements for the delayed registration of a certificate for live birth.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Senator SULLIVAN of York	Cosponsors:	Representative CAMPBELL of Newfield Representative CONNOR of Kennebunk Senator CRAVEN of Androscoggin Representative PERRY of Calais
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:
		Work Session:

LD 372: An Act To Authorize the Administration of Epinephrine Autoinjectors and Asthma Inhalers in Emergencies Web Link to LD 372

Description:

This bill immunizes governmental entities from liability from claims for administering to an individual an emergency medication by or through an epinephrine autoinjector or asthma inhaler.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative VALENTINO of Saco	Cosponsors:	Representative CAMPBELL of Newfield Representative EVES of North Berwick Representative HANLEY of Gardiner Senator JACKSON of Aroostook Senator MARRACHÉ of Kennebec Representative PERRY of Calais Representative SANBORN of Gorham
Committee:	Judic	Hearing:
		Work Session:

LD 373: An Act To Facilitate Lactation at the Workplace by New Mothers Web Link to LD 373

Description:

This bill requires break time for nursing mothers in the workplace and requires an employer to provide a sanitary space, which must be close to the work area and may not be a bathroom, for nursing mothers to express milk in privacy.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Representative WALSH INNES of Yarmouth	Cosponsors:	Representative CORNELL du HOUX of Brunswick Representative MCCABE of Skowhegan
Committee:	Lab	Hearing:
		Work Session:

LD 400: An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission To Study Long-term Home-based and Community-based Care Web Link to LD 400

Description:

This bill contains legislation suggested by the Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Long-term Home-based and Community-based Care. It amends existing law governing the legislative findings and policy for home-based and community-based long-term care services for the elderly and adults with physical disabilities. It adds statements of findings for in-home and community support services and long-term care services. It adds hospice care to the definition of "in-home and community support services." It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to undertake a planning process for the adoption of a unified budget for long-term care services and supports for the elderly and adults with physical disabilities. It directs the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, the Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services and the Office of Fiscal and Program Review to work together to prepare a revised chart of accounts. The commissioners are required to report by January 1, 2010 to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs and health and human services matters. The report must contain a plan for a unified budget to be implemented by July 1, 2010. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt as a priority reduction of the waiting lists for home-based and community-based care and homemaker services for the elderly and adults with disabilities during fiscal year 2008-09 and elimination of the waiting lists during the fiscal years 2009-10 and 2010-11. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to work with the Department of Labor to explore uses of and develop funding sources for assistive technologies. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to report by January 1, 2010 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to explore alternative non-MaineCare sources of funding for service packages provided to residents in the 7 tax-credit-assisted assisted living facilities that currently use MaineCare funding. The alternative funding must be used in the event MaineCare funding is no longer available to ensure continuation of service packages. The department is required to report by January 1, 2010 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to work with interested parties to develop a comprehensive and systematic approach to training, reimbursement and benefits for direct care workers in home-based and community-based care, residential facilities and nursing facilities and to report by December 1, 2009 to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs and health and human services matters. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to undertake efforts to reverse the spending trend in long-term care to increase the number of people served and funds spent in home-based and community-based care as compared to the spending on residential care and nursing facility care and to report annually by February 1 beginning in 2010 to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs and health and human services matters. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to undertake an effort in the assessment process for eligibility for long-term care services under the MaineCare program to improve the discharge planning process as it pertains to hospitals and residential care facilities, including improving the provision of information to the consumer about facility-based and home-based and community-based options, improving consumer choice in the discharge process, increasing consumer counseling for those choosing self-directed care and education on the availability of hospice services, and to report to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs and health and human services matters by February 1, 2010 and February 1, 2011. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to work with the 5 area agencies on aging to provide services through Aging and Disability Resource Centers on a statewide basis, provides $300,000 per year for this purpose and conditions the funding on the area agencies on aging working with hospitals, nursing facilities and residential care facilities to improve the long-term care discharge planning process. It directs the department to report to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs and health and human services matters on work done with regard to this initiative by February 1, 2010 and February 1, 2011. It provides funding for long-term care services for the elderly and adults with physical disabilities in the amount of $500,000 per year for the Priority Social Services Program and $200,000 per year for the family caregiver initiative.

Position:		Status:	Pending Final Committee Action
Sponsor:	Senator CRAVEN of Androscoggin	Cosponsors:	Senator BARTLETT of Cumberland Representative CAMPBELL of Newfield Representative JONES of Mount Vernon Senator MARRACHÉ of Kennebec Representative MILLER of Somerville Representative MILLETT of Waterford Speaker PINGREE of North Haven Senator RAYE of Washington
Committee:	HHS	Hearing:
		Work Session:

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