Sen. Deschambault receives Sportsman's Alliance of Maine's Legislative Service Award for Safe Homes Bill

WATERVILLE — On Saturday, Sept. 10, Sen. Susan Deschambault, D-Biddeford, received the Legislative Service Award from the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine (SAM). Sen. Deschambault, alongside Rep. Richard Pickett, R-East Dixfield, earned awards for their bipartisan work on LD 1861, “An Act To Establish the Safe Homes Program,” which Gov. Janet Mills signed into law this year.   

“As the Chair of the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, my top priority has always been working with people of all parties – or no parties – to improve public safety in Maine,” said Sen. Deschambault. “Being a former police commissioner, I am especially honored to receive this award alongside my fellow committee member and friend Rep. Pickett, who is a retired state trooper. I want to thank David Trahan and everyone at SAM for putting together this great event and honoring us with these awards.”

“These days, it can be hard to find people who go above and beyond partisan politics to address an issue – and simply do what’s right,” said David Trahan, the SAM’s Executive Director. “However, Sen. Deschambault and Rep. Pickett are two public servants who did exactly that. They put whatever differences they might have aside and worked together on a bill that would help Mainers make their homes safer. Because of their commitment to collaboration and compromise, this law will promote public safety and save lives.”

LD 1861, “An Act To Establish the Safe Homes Program,” designated September 2022 as Safe Homes Awareness Month. The Safe Homes Program is established and administered by Commissioner Sauschuck and the Department of Public Safety to support the safe storage of prescription drugs, firearms, and other dangerous items or weapons in homes or public spaces by providing educational resources and grants for purchasing safety devices.

Sen. Deschambault is serving her fourth and final term in the Senate.

Sen. Deschambault received the Legislative Service Award from the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine. David Trahan, the Executive Director of SAM, presented the award to Sen. Deschambault at SAM’s annual awards banquet and auction.

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