AUGUSTA – A law sponsored by Rep. Stephan Bunker, D-Farmington, that will strengthen Maine’s emergency response system by extending the probationary period for public safety dispatchers went into effect yesterday.

LD 2090 permits dispatch centers to establish a probationary period for public safety dispatchers of up to one year in order to provide sufficient time for new dispatchers to learn the position, as well as increase retention rates among dispatchers.

AUGUSTA – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Traci Gere, D-Kennebunkport, to increase housing opportunities, support aspiring homeowners and strengthen local code enforcement is now law.

The three new laws are part of ongoing efforts to address Maine’s housing shortage and ensure more Mainers can find safe, stable and affordable homes. 

AUGUSTA – A new law sponsored by Assistant House Majority Leader Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, that creates a state advocate for children takes effect Wednesday. 

LD 1893 establishes an independent Office of the Child Advocate in state government. Once operational, the office will receive and investigate complaints, share information with the public, and advise the governor and state lawmakers on how to improve services and protections for children. 

AUGUSTA – Four key bills sponsored by Rep. Ambureen Rana, D-Bangor, will go into effect today.

LD 703 provides one-time funding of $200,000 for a healthcare gap year program that incentivizes recent college graduates to work in critical positions, particularly in underserved and rural communities. 

AUGUSTA – A bill to provide funding for the redevelopment of the former Island Nursing Home, now known as HomePort, into affordable senior housing, sponsored by Rep. Holly Eaton, D-Deer Isle, went into effect on July 29. 

“I am grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting our community through the funding in this bill,” said Eaton. “Senior housing in Hancock County is so desperately needed, and this money will go a long way to support this project.”

AUGUSTA – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Kilton Webb, D-Durham, that will create a clean, renewable energy construction project database to help better identify current energy trends will go into effect today. 

AUGUSTA – A bill sponsored by Rep. Julie McCabe, D-Lewiston, that will help prevent cybersecurity attacks on Maine hospitals and ensure continuity of patient care when future cyberattacks occur, goes into effect today. 

AUGUSTA – Several key pieces of legislation sponsored by Rep. Amy Kuhn, D-Falmouth, will go into effect today.  

AUGUSTA – Five key measures supported by Rep. Kelly Murphy, D-Scarborough, House chair of the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, will go into effect today.  

Together, the new laws aim to strengthen K-12 education in Maine by banning the use of cell phones during the school day, backfilling lost federal funding for the Building Assets, Reducing Risks Program (BARR) and increasing starting teacher salaries.  

AUGUSTA – Three key pieces of labor legislation, sponsored by Rep. Amy Roeder, D-Bangor, will go into effect today. Roeder, who is the House chair of the Legislature’s Labor Committee, successfully sponsored eight bills, now law, over the last two years.