Laws championed by Senator Chipman take effect

Senator Chipman: “I’m thrilled at the progress we’ve made this session.”

AUGUSTA — A series of non-emergency laws sponsored and championed by Senator Ben Chipman, D-Portland, that support Maine children, seniors, families and small businesses took effect Monday, Oct. 18. Highlights include new laws to provide access to lifesaving insulin, offer property tax relief, expand access to quality child care and make life-saving HIV prevention medication free.

“I’m thrilled at the progress we’ve made this session,” said Senator Chipman. “Serving in the Legislature during such an unprecedented time had many challenges. However, we were still able to achieve milestones such as restoring revenue sharing, funding public education at 55 percent and increasing access to life-changing medications.”

As chair of the Legislature’s Committee on Taxation, Senator Chipman spent much of this session working to pass new laws that encourage renovating Maine’s housing stock, empower municipalities to improve affordable housing options and help municipalities to offer assistance to veterans with property taxes.

Other laws championed by Senator Chipman this year included proposals to close disparities in prenatal care, develop an eviction mediation system to help tenants and landlords and help vulnerable students graduate high school. This session, Senator Chipman also sponsored legislation to memorialize the victims and heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new law will create a memorial on State House grounds.

This year, lawmakers made good on long-standing 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. Maine lawmakers also 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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