Dear Recovery Advocates,

I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've had together this year and express my deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication you've put into passing vital legislation to save lives and support recovery.

REVIEW of the 131st LEGISLATIVE SESSION 

Bills Supported, Passed, and Enacted in Maine 131st Legislative Session 

LD 1215 An Act To Require Instruction in Schools on Substance Use Prevention and Administration of Naloxone (Senator Pouliot - Signed By the Governor)

• This bill requires that all public highschools in Maine provide an extracurricular instruction on the administration of nasal Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan.

LD 1364 Resolve to Study Methods of Preventing Opioid Overdose Deaths by Authorizing Harm Reduction Health Centers (Rep. Lookner - Signed by the Governor)

• This bill mandates the Governor's Office to form a group, including various stakeholders, to explore ways of preventing opioid overdose deaths through harm reduction health centers. The group will assess options, identify barriers, and provide recommendations. Additionally, the office must submit a report, findings, recommendations, and potential legislation to the Legislature's committee on criminal justice and public safety by February 15, 2025, for potential legislative action in the 132nd Legislature in 2025.

LD 1719 An Act to Establish Substance Use Disorder Treatment Center (Speaker RTR - Signed by the Governor)

• This bill was included in the 2023 budget and creates a first of its kind 24 hour a day, 7 days a week substance use disorder crisis receiving center and detox. Since passage, a request for proposal has been released with this center being located in Kennebec County.

LD 597 An Act to Improve Conditions for People Living in Recovery Residences by Requiring Approved Discharge and Transfer Policies (Rep. Madigan - Signed by the Governor)

• This bill mandates certified recovery residences to have an approved discharge and transfer policy by the Department of Health and Human Services. Despite landlord and tenant rights under Maine Revised Statutes, Title 14, chapter 709, a residence with an approved policy can promptly discharge or transfer a resident if necessary for their welfare, if their needs can't be met, or if the health and safety of others are at risk. The Department is required to establish routine technical rules outlining the policy requirements.

LD 1036 An Act to Require All Uniformed Patrol Officers to Carry Naloxone Hydrochloride When on Duty (Rep. Milliken - Signed by the Governor)

• This bill mandates the Commissioner of Public Safety to implement standard technical regulations necessitating training for uniformed patrol officers in the use and administration of naloxone hydrochloride. Additionally, it compels these officers to carry naloxone hydrochloride while actively on duty.

LD 1746 An Act to Support Public Health by Protecting Certain Activities Conducted Under Comprehensive Community Drug Checking Initiatives (Rep. LaRochelle - Signed by the Governor)

• This bill removes criminal liability for people possessing small amounts of prescription drugs, scheduled drugs, or imitation scheduled drugs in sample collection instruments or drug paraphernalia for the purpose of delivering items to a drug checking and analysis program authorized by the Department of Health and Human Services or for conducting analysis within such a program.

LD 1229 An Act to Support Peer Mentors for Parents Involved in the Child Protective Services System (Rep. Meyer)

• The bill requires that the Health and Human Services Department engage a provider for free real-time virtual classes, led by experienced parents from the child protective services system. These classes will offer information, resources, and support to eligible parents.

LD 1439 An Act to Promote Family-centered Interventions for Substance Use Disorder Treatment (Rep. Madigan)

• The bill requires that starting July 1, 2024, a hospital licensed under chapter 405 must display information about how individuals with substance use disorder can access treatment and must be in a publicly accessible area of its emergency department. 

LD 1116   An Act to Provide Rural Sober Living Housing for Mothers (Rep. Supica)

• The bill requires the Maine State Housing Authority to allocate funds for acquiring land or real property to facilitate the establishment of rural recovery residences for families. 

LD 556 An Act to Address BMV Fees, Fines, and Reinstatement (Rep. Rana)

• The bill ends the practice of “stacking” reinstatement fines and fees at the Department of Motor Vehicles, making it easier to get your license back.

LD 81 An Act to Address Recovery Residence Participation in the Municipal

General Assistance Program (Rep. Meyer)

• The bill clarifies that recovery residences operators are eligible for general assistance for their tenants, building on a previous law passed by ME-RAP to set GA rates for recovery residences.

LD 600   An Act to Expand Availability of Naloxone Hydrochloride (Rep. Craven)

• This legislation permits an overdose prevention initiative, subject to explicit approval from a municipality, to furnish and upkeep naloxone hydrochloride within a conspicuous and publicly accessible wall-mounted box or alternative container within municipal spaces. Additionally, the legislation grants immunity from both criminal and civil liability to municipalities and overdose prevention programs for their involvement in providing or maintaining naloxone hydrochloride containers.

LD 1052 An Act to Expand Good Samaritan Protections for Naloxone Hydrochloride Administration (Sen. Brakey)

• This legislation provides immunity to anyone, including organizations, to carry, obtain, and use Naloxone.

Bills Opposed & Defeated in Maine’s 131st Legislative Session 

LD 714 An Act to Expand the List of Crimes That Do Not Qualify for Immunity Under Maine's Good Samaritan Laws Concerning Drug Related Medical Assistance

• This bill sought to roll back key provisions of Maine’s Good Samaritan Law, which out network fought to pass. It was defeated handily in the House and Senate.

LD 109 An Act to Improve Safety for Individuals Living in Recovery Residences

• This bill sought to roll back key protections for recovery residences, which our network fought to pass. It was defeated handily in the House and Senate.

You can learn more about legislation worked on this session here.