AUGUSTA - A measure to improve health outcomes in the state sponsored by Rep. Denise Tepler, D-Topsham, was signed into law last week by Gov. Janet Mills.

LD 274 directs the Maine Health Data Organization (MHDO) to develop a methodology to collect and analyze data on health care disparities within Maine's racial and ethnic populations. The MHDO will report back their recommendations to the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Affairs Committee later this year.

AUGUSTA - A bipartisan measure to establish the Maine Services Fellow Program, LD 1010, sponsored by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, was signed into law last week by Gov. Janet Mills.

AUGUSTA - A measure that changes the educational requirements for behavioral health professionals who work with children, LD 1424, sponsored by Rep. Sue Salisbury, D-Westbrook, was passed in the Maine Legislature.

AUGUSTA - The Maine House voted Tuesday to advance a bill by Rep. Lori Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, that would help victims of childhood sexual abuse access justice. The bill earned initial approval with unanimous consent.

"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 - The Maine Legislature unanimously enacted a measure Monday sponsored by Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, that would address the unmet needs of individuals who require an attorney but cannot access one in their community.

LD 978 would incentivize five attorneys, chosen by the Supreme Judicial Court, to practice law and perform pro bono legal services in underserved areas for at least five years through a nonrefundable credit of up to $6,000 each year.

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval Tuesday to a bill from Rep. Paige Zeigler, D-Montville, that would create the Maine Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator, commonly referred to as a "green bank." The Maine Senate voted in favor of the measure Wednesday.

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 last week by Gov. Janet Mills.

AUGUSTA - The Maine House advanced a historic bill Tuesday sponsored by Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, to replace Central Maine Power and Versant with the Pine Tree Power Company, a consumer-owned electric utility.

The vote on LD 1708 was 76-64, earning support from Republican, Independent and Democratic lawmakers.

AUGUSTA - A bill by Rep. Victoria Morales, D-South Portland, to end the law enforcement practice known as "pretextual traffic stops" earned initial approval Tuesday in the Maine House. The vote was 72-67.

AUGUSTA - A measure to ban the sale of cosmetics tested on animals, LD 1551, sponsored by Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, was signed into law last week by Gov. Janet Mills. The measure states that a manufacturer may not sell or offer to sell a cosmetic product that was developed or manufactured using animal testing on or after November 1, 2021.