AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, to provide funding for wildlife rehabilitators was unanimously approved by the Maine House of Representatives Wednesday.

AUGUSTA - LD 625, a bill to prevent and address sexual trauma among Maine National Guard service members, sponsored by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, was signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Janet Mills.

AUGUSTA - The Maine House gave its initial approval to a bill Wednesday that would decriminalize possession of hypodermic syringes, improving public health and ensuring more Mainers with substance use disorder can access treatment rather than enter the criminal justice system. The vote on the measure, sponsored by Rep. Genevieve McDonald, D-Stonington, was unanimous.

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval Wednesday to a bill that would establish a checkoff box on Mainers' tax returns to support hunger prevention.

LD 1046, sponsored by Rep. Mo Terry, D-Gorham, would create a checkoff provision on Maine income tax forms to give taxpayers the option of contributing to the emergency food assistance program administered by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF).

AUGUSTA - The Maine Senate approved LD 1010, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, to establish the Maine Service Fellows Wednesday. The legislation would create a state-based program for young Mainers interested in participating in public health and housing service opportunities in rural and underserved communities.

AUGUSTA - The House voted to advance a dental care bill from House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford Wednesday evening. 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. LD 996, An Act To Improve Dental Health Access for Maine Children and Adults with Low Incomes received support from public health experts and economists as a smart investment.

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave its initial approval Wednesday to a measure sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, that would strengthen individualized education programs (IEPs) for students.

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted unanimously Wednesday to advance a measure sponsored by Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, that would improve the rights and protections for individuals with acquired brain injuries.

AUGUSTA - The Maine House gave unanimous initial approval Wednesday to a bill from Rep. Sean Paulhus, D-Bath, that would provide extra support to food banks in the event of an emergency.

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave unanimous initial approval Wednesday to a bill that would provide state funding to Maine's Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP), a program that rewards volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel for their service with contributions to a retirement program.