Laws championed by Sen. Carney take effect
AUGUSTA — A series of non-emergency laws sponsored and championed by Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth, that support Maine children, seniors, families and small businesses, went into effect on Monday, Oct. 18. Highlights include new laws to provide access to lifesaving insulin, provide property tax relief, expand access to quality child care and ban corporate contributions to political candidates.
“I’m grateful to see the legislative work of this challenging, unprecedented year go into effect,” said Sen. Carney. “We know we’ll continue working to overcome the pandemic, keep our kids safe in school, implement Maine’s Climate Action Plan and rebuild our economy. Because of these bills going into effect, Mainers can be assured that their government – and their representatives – are working toward a better future.”
As chair of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, Sen. Carney spent much of this session working to pass new laws to help eliminate racial profiling, extend time limits for placing land in trust status under the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act, provide the right to counsel and improve due process for juveniles, and update the statute of limitations for harm caused by PFAS contamination.
Other laws championed by Sen. Carney, who also serves as a member of the Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources, included establishing a drug take-back program that allows convenient disposal of unwanted drugs, protects against misuse of drugs, and prevents contamination of groundwater caused by the way drugs currently are disposed of in Maine. Sen. Carney and the Legislature also took steps to reduce harmful oil tank emissions. This new law strengthens the regulations surrounding petroleum storage facilities in South Portland and across the state.
Additionally, recognizing that health care is essential for the well-being of expecting and new mothers, lawmakers passed a law, sponsored by Sen. Carney, that ensures mothers and their newborns can get the care they need during the first year, for the health and safety of both the mother and child. Lastly, addressing the eviction and affordable housing crisis, Maine lawmakers passed a new law, also sponsored by Sen. Carney, to ensure renters know what legal protections they have under Maine law, have access to legal assistance, and have time to apply for rental assistance when they face eviction proceedings.
This year, lawmakers also made good on longstanding commitments to Maine people and municipalities. Lawmakers funded K-12 education at 55 percent for the first time since Maine voters mandated it at the ballot box in 2004 and signed off on a plan to fully restore revenue sharing by 2023. Finally, Maine lawmakers voted to send $300 as a “hazard bonus” to eligible Maine workers who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic.
All non-emergency laws take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die unless otherwise specified.
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