AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature unanimously approved a bill Thursday sponsored by Rep. Richard Evans, D-Dover-Foxcroft, to make it more efficient for people to find out if they qualify for free or reduced-cost health coverage.

The bill, LD 1390, establishes a process to use the state's income tax filing system to identify individuals and families who are uninsured but potentially eligible for benefits under the MaineCare program or for enrollment in a qualified reduced-cost health plan.

AUGUSTA - A bill to support life and career education standards for students in primary and secondary schools, LD 68, sponsored by Rep. Edward Crockett, D-Portland, was signed into law Monday by Gov. Janet Mills.

AUGUSTA - The Maine House and Senate delivered strong bipartisan votes to advance a measure introduced by Rep. Lynne Williams, D-Bar Harbor, that gives Maine's small medical marijuana growers and caregivers a greater say over any new rules generated by the Maine Office of Marijuana Policy (OMP). The House voted 117-25 to advance the measure, and the Senate advanced the bill by unanimous consent.

AUGUSTA - A measure introduced by Rep. Jay McCreight, D-Harpswell, to reduce extended hospital emergency department stays and to provide appropriate mental and behavioral health services to minors was signed into law Tuesday. The new law is part of a broader effort to increase youth access to mental and behavioral health care and move away from dependence on emergency departments.

AUGUSTA - The Maine House and Senate voted to advance a bill Wednesday sponsored by Rep. Thom Harnett, D-Gardiner, to give Maine farm workers the right to organize for the purpose of collective bargaining. The House voted in favor of the measure 76-63. The Senate voted 18-17.

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval Wednesday to a measure sponsored by Rep. Scott Cuddy, D-Winterport, that would ensure that future renewable energy projects in Maine capitalize on the opportunity to provide high quality jobs in Maine.

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted to advance a bill Wednesday sponsored by Rep. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, to support and improve municipal recycling programs and decrease property taxes.

AUGUSTA - On Wednesday, Governor Mills signed LD 609, "Resolve, To Establish a Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions" from House Speaker Ryan Fecteau into law. The bill paves the way for more affordable housing in Maine. The bill will establish a commission to review barriers to producing more affordable housing in Maine.

AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Ralph Tucker, D-Brunswick, to reduce the future use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in Maine was signed into law Monday by Gov. Janet Mills.

HFCs are used in air conditioning, refrigeration equipment and insulation and are 100 to 1,000 times more potent as greenhouse gases than CO2.

"In our response to climate change, the reduction of HFCs is low-hanging fruit," said Tucker. "We will make a significant impact at a comparatively low cost with these HFC reductions."

AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature enacted a bill Tuesday sponsored by Rep. Richard Evans, D-Dover-Foxcroft, to establish the Maine Accidental Drug Overdose Death Review Panel. The panel will study the circumstances leading up to accidental overdose deaths and use the information gained to prevent future deaths.