New Nangle laws to support veterans, trafficking survivors, clean water and crisis services take effect

Posted: July 29, 2026 | Senator Nangle

AUGUSTA — Today, four new laws introduced by Sen. Tim Nangle, D-Windham, took effect after being passed by the Legislature earlier this year.

  • LD 2135, “An Act to Provide Funding to Keep Maine Veterans Housed,” establishes the Veterans Housing Provider Incentive Fund within the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services. The fund will support nonprofit organizations working directly with veterans and can be used to address barriers to stable housing, including past rental debt, landlord incentives and financial risk-mitigation costs.
  • LD 2136, “An Act to Support Victims of Trafficking in Maine in Response to Federal Funding Cuts,” provides temporary state funding to ensure survivors of human trafficking can continue accessing critical services through Preble Street’s Anti-Trafficking Services program. The funding will help bridge a gap created by a prolonged federal delay that forced the program to begin placing survivors on a waiting list.
  • LD 1904, “An Act to Establish the Municipal Shoreline Protection Legal Fund,” creates a dedicated revolving fund within the Department of Environmental Protection to help municipalities cover substantial legal expenses associated with enforcing shoreland zoning laws. The law will help towns protect Maine’s lakes, rivers and shorelines without placing the full cost of lengthy enforcement actions on local property taxpayers.
  • LD 1216, “An Act to Improve Behavioral Health Crisis Services and Suicide Prevention Services,” formally recognizes the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Maine law. Mainers experiencing suicidal thoughts, mental health distress or substance-use-related concerns can call or text 988 at any time to connect with trained crisis counselors. Establishing 988 in statute will help ensure the lifeline remains a stable part of Maine’s crisis-response system and provide a foundation for strengthening those services in the future.

“These laws address very different challenges, but they are united by a common purpose: making sure government responds to the real needs of Maine people and communities,” said Sen. Nangle. “Whether it is helping a veteran remain safely housed, ensuring a trafficking survivor can access lifesaving support, protecting clean water without burdening local taxpayers or strengthening our crisis-response system, each of these laws offers a practical solution that will make a meaningful difference.”

As non-emergency legislation, LD 2135, LD 2136, LD 1904 and LD 1216 took effect on July 29, 90 days after the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature adjourned. All four measures were signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills.

This year, Sen. Nangle returned to Augusta to lower everyday costs, protect Maine’s future and defend Mainers’ fundamental rights and freedoms.

Sen. Nangle is serving his second term in the Maine Senate, representing Casco, Frye Island, Raymond, Windham and part of Westbrook. He is the Senate chair of the Transportation committee and a member of the Health and Human Services committee.

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