AUGUSTA - A measure by Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, to improve the rights and protections for individuals with acquired brain injuries became law this week.

Hepler's bill, LD 559, would ensure that people with "acquired brain injuries" receive the same rights as people with intellectual disabilities or autism by adding "acquired brain injury" to the existing statutes concerning rights for those individuals.

AUGUSTA - A measure to require tenant representation on nonprofit housing corporation boards of directors, LD 1606, sponsored by Rep. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, was signed into law Monday by Gov. Janet Mills.

AUGUSTA - A measure to allow for controlled, indoor entry areas inside marijuana retail stores, sponsored by Rep. Joe Perry, D-Bangor, was signed into law Monday by Gov. Janet Mills.

"The bill provides a commonsense approach that allows marijuana businesses to have a controlled space directly inside their store where the identification of a purchaser can be verified while awaiting entry," said Perry. "Customers will no longer need to wait on sidewalks and in parking lots during severe weather, and businesses are able to maintain their safety and security."

AUGUSTA - Gov. Janet Mill's signed Maine's two-year state transportation budget into law last week, allocating roughly $1.8 billion in state and federal funds to the state's transportation needs. Earlier in the month, the budget received unanimous, bipartisan approval from both the House and the Senate.

AUGUSTA - A measure to help achieve greenhouse gas emissions reduction levels in decisions made by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and prioritize equity and environmental justice among state agencies, LD 1682, sponsored by Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, was signed into law last week by Gov. Janet Mills.

AUGUSTA - On Wednesday, the Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee voted to fund a bill from House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford. The bill shifts Maine's reliance on emergency-only dental coverage to a preventative dental care model to improve health outcomes and save the state money over time.

AUGUSTA - A proposal by Rep. Lori Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, to help victims of childhood sexual abuse access justice is now law. Gov. Janet Mills signed the bill Monday.

"As a kid, I knew I couldn't change what happened to me, but I also knew that, when I was a grown-up, I would do my best to make things better for others," said Gramlich. "As a social worker, I have worked my entire professional life to affect systemic change and to give voice to fellow survivors."

AUGUSTA - A bill from Rep. Lynn Copeland, D-Saco, to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' shore damage mitigation project at Camp Ellis was signed into law yesterday.

"This bill is the next step to combat the ongoing erosion caused by the jetty in Camp Ellis, which has been a decades-long mitigation effort," said Copeland. "This is what my neighbors sent me to Augusta to do, and it has been my primary focus since I was sworn into office."

AUGUSTA - A measure to protect survivors of economic abuse from long-term consequences, LD 947, sponsored by Rep. Laura Supica, D-Bangor, was signed into law this month by Gov. Janet Mills.

AUGUSTA - On Monday, the Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee voted in favor of several line items in the budget change package, including funding K-12 public schools at 55 percent, and increasing revenue sharing to 4.5 percent for 2022 and 5 percent for 2023. All of today's committee votes were unanimous, 12-0.