9 a.m.

Health and Human Services Committee; work sessions; room 209; Cross Building

L.D. 535, “An Act To Promote Greater Flexibility in the Provision of Long-term Care Services”: allow licensed facilities to provide a continuum of care and services to clients residing in those facilities without requiring the clients to leave the facility, without requiring the creation of a licensed home health agency and without having to seek approval of area licensed home health agencies.

L.D. 538, “An Act To Align Costs Recognized for Transfer of Nursing Facilities and Residential Care Facilities with Ordinary Commercial and Government Contracting Standards”: provides that, to align treatment of long-term care providers with other government contractors and typical private transactions, MaineCare depreciation recapture from sellers of nursing facilities and residential care facilities does not apply to any sales on or after July 1, 2012.

L.D. 579, “ Resolve, To Clarify and Improve the Eligibility Process for Services for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism”: directs the Department of Health and Human Services to undertake a process to update the criteria for eligibility for services for persons with intellectual disabilities or autism.

L.D. 847, “Resolve, To Address Changes Needed for Providers of Private Nonmedical Institution Services”: directs the Department of Health and Human Services to take all necessary actions to convert private nonmedical institution services beds for adults with intellectual disabilities to home and community-based waiver beds for adults with intellectual disabilities.

L.D. 928, “An Act To Improve MaineCare Nursing Home Reimbursement To Preserve Access and Promote Quality”: provides supplemental MaineCare payments to nursing homes that serve a high percentage of MaineCare residents and establishes a pay-for-performance program in nursing homes.

L.D. 986, “Resolve, To Establish the Commission To Study Long-term Care Facilities”: establishes the Commission To Study Long-term Care Facilities and report by Dec. 4.

L.D. 1189, “An Act Regarding Implementation of Cost-of-living Increases for Nursing Facilities”: emergency bill, amends the law governing the nursing facility and assisted living facility cost-of-living adjustment to specify that during the first year in which an adjustment is made, the reimbursement is reduced by that portion of the adjustment that exceeds the percentage increase in wages and benefits.

L.D. 1245, “Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services To Create a More Equitable, Transparent Resource Allocation System for Nursing Facilities Based on Residents’ Needs”: emergency bill, instructs the Department of Health and Human Services to eliminate the current nursing home reimbursement peer group limits and establish a capitated system that treats all facilities equally and requires the department to publish on a publicly accessible website its reimbursement rates and any related exception adjustments of all providers.

L.D. 1246, “ An Act To Promote Greater Staffing Flexibility without Compromising Safety or Quality in Nursing Facilities”: emergency bill, requires the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt acuity-based staffing.

Judiciary Committee; work sessions; room 438; State House

L.D. 37, “Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 4: Rules of Practice, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry”: emergency bill, provides for legislative review of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry rules.

L.D. 688, “An Act Concerning Adverse Possession”: provides that a person may not use a claim of adverse possession to gain ownership of property against an owner of record who has paid property taxes on the property during the period for which the claimant has asserted being in possession of the property.

L.D. 861, “Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 2: Rules Concerning the Processing of Applications and Other Administrative Matters, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Environmental Protection”: emergency bill, provides for legislative review of the Department of Environmental Protection rules for applications.

L.D. 1039, “An Act To Promote Regulatory Fairness”: establishes standards for relief when state regulation takes value from an individual property owner.

L.D. 1253, “An Act To Allow Tribal Members a Choice of Venue”: provides that the jurisdiction over certain tribal members in civil and criminal actions is shared concurrently by the state courts and the tribal courts of the Passamaquoddy tribe, the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians.

L.D. 1400, “Resolve, Directing the Attorney General To Confer with Tribal Governments To Establish Procedures Regarding the Tribal Provisions of the Federal Violence Against Women Act of 1994”: directs the attorney general to consult with tribes in the state that have tribal domestic violence programs to establish procedures concerning the newly enacted tribal provisions of the federal Violence Against Women Act of 1994.

L.D. 1424, “An Act To Increase Mileage Reimbursement and Compensation for Jurors”: changes the mileage rate paid to jurors and witnesses 44 cents per mile.

L.D. 1450, “An Act To Connect the Citizens of the State to the State’s Natural Resources by Establishing Standards for Relief from Regulatory Burdens”: establishes standards for relief when state regulation imposes an inordinate burden on an individual property owner, as well as efficient mechanisms for pursuit of such relief.

Maine’s Workforce and Economic Future Committee; public hearings; room 126; State House

L.D. 1489, “An Act To Address Maine’s Immediate Workforce Needs”: creates the Maine Skills Gap Program to encourage students and qualified experienced workers to take positions with Maine companies representing industries with significant unmet demand for skilled labor.

10 a.m.

Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee; public hearing; room 436; State House

L.D. 1429, “An Act To Allow School Administrative Units To Establish Rules, Procedures and Guidelines for Properly Trained Staff To Carry a Concealed Handgun on School Property while Acting in Their Official Capacities”: enables school administrative units to establish rules, procedures and guidelines to allow a properly trained school employee to carry a concealed handgun on school property.

Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commitee; public hearing; room 206; Cross Building

L.D. 1474, “An Act To Amend the Laws Pertaining to the Hunting of Bear”: prohibits, with certain exceptions, hunting bear with dogs and trapping bear.

Taxation Committee; public hearings; room 127; State House

L.D. 1477, “An Act To Impose a Temporary One Percent Sales Tax for Education and Revenue Sharing”: imposes an additional 1 percent sales and use tax on items of personal property and taxable services currently subject to the 5 percent sales and use tax.

L.D. 1488, “An Act To Create a Tax Expenditures Budget Process”: requires the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over taxation matters to review all tax expenditures in odd-numbered years and submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs.

Veterans and Legal Affairs Commitee; work sessions; room 437; State House

L.D. 518, “ An Act To Establish Ranked-choice Voting in the State”: creates the ranked-choice voting method of determining winners in elections for U.S. senator, U.S. representative, governor, state senator and state representative that simulates what would occur if all voters participated in a series of run-off elections.

L.D. 702, “An Act To Strengthen the Law Prohibiting Black Market Wagering on Harness Horse Races”: amends the laws governing harness racing to stipulate that a person may not place a bet on a harness horse race with any person, firm or entity that is not licensed by the State Harness Racing Commission.

L.D. 768, “An Act To Increase Access to Voter Lists”: requires municipal registrars to make available to an elected office holder during the office holder’s term central voter registration system information concerning voters in a municipality the office holder represents in whole or in part.

L.D. 924, “An Act To Prevent a Conflict of Interest of the Secretary of State”: provides that a person may not serve as secretary of state while that person is conducting a campaign for elected office.

L.D. 1023, “An Act To Provide Transparency in Fund-raising by and Lobbying of a Governor-elect”: authorizes a governor-elect to establish a committee to raise funds for inaugural activities, appoint a treasurer to keep records and file financial disclosure statements due Feb. 15 after the governor takes office.

L.D. 1211, “An Act To Amend the Laws Concerning Absentee Ballots”: imposes the same deadline for the preparation of municipal absentee ballots as is imposed on state absentee ballots for municipal and state elections that are held on the same day.

11 a.m.

Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee; work sessions; room 436; State House

L.D. 166, “An Act To Criminalize Importation of So-called Bath Salts Containing Synthetic Hallucinogenic Drugs”: prohibits the importation of synthetic hallucinogenic drugs.

L.D. 661, “An Act To Prohibit Sale or Possession of Synthetic Cannabinoids”: defines “synthetic cannabinoid,” commonly known as “spice” or “K2,” in general terms and lists it as a schedule Z drug.

L.D. 1044, “An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Prosecution of Individuals Possessing a Controlled Substance under Certain Circumstances”: prohibits from admission in court evidence derived as a result of a person’s seeking medical assistance when experiencing a drug overdose or for another person who is experiencing a drug overdose in proving the crime of unlawful possession of a scheduled drug.

L.D. 1229, “ An Act To Regulate and Tax Marijuana”: establishes a tax rate of $50 per ounce for marijuana that is sold or transferred by licensed marijuana cultivation facilities; removes the civil violation for adults 21 years of age and older who possess up to 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana; allows a person 21 years of age or older to possess, purchase and use marijuana; requires that the marijuana be secured from unauthorized access or from access by a person under 21 years of age; removes the fingerprinting and criminal history record check requirements from the existing laws that allow a person to apply to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for a license to grow industrial hemp; provides that a person cannot be found to lack “good moral character” for personal, medical or commercial marijuana activities allowed by this legislation for purposes of obtaining a permit to carry a concealed handgun; and requires this legislation to be submitted to statewide referendum for approval by the voters.

L.D. 1439, “An Act To Repeal Certain Maine Criminal Code Provisions Addressing So-called Bath Salts Containing Synthetic Hallucinogenic Drugs and Instead To Define Them as Schedule W Drugs”: repeals provisions criminalizing synthetic hallucinogenic drugs and instead classifies these drugs as schedule W drugs.

12 p.m.

Judiciary Committee; public hearings; room 438; State House

L.D. 495, “An Act Regarding the Law Pertaining to the Confidentiality of Enhanced 9-1-1 System Information and Records”: amends the law pertaining to the confidentiality of information and records of the E-9-1-1 system.

L.D. 900, “An Act Regarding the Disclosure of Certain Records in Criminal Matters”: allows state, county and municipal government employers to disclose otherwise confidential personnel records to prosecutors when it is necessary for the determination of whether or not a defendant has a constitutional right to any of the information in the records.

L.D. 973, “An Act To Make Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption Applications Confidential”: exempts from the freedom of access laws applications and supporting documentation filed by a person seeking an exemption from property tax provided to a veteran or the family of a deceased veteran.

L.D. 1401, “ An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the Issuance of and Access to Birth Certificates and Certain Medical Information”: eliminates the current restriction that an adoptee be at least 18 years of age for the court to release medical or genetic information contained in court records relating to the adoption and repeals the provisions of law that require that an original birth record of an adoptee be sealed and that a new certificate of birth be created.

L.D. 1428, “An Act To Protect Religious Freedom”: creates the Preservation of Religious Freedom Act, which allows a person whose right to exercise the person’s religion is burdened by a government law or exercise of authority to bring an action in court seeking equitable or monetary damages.

L.D. 1445, “An Act To Facilitate Children’s Testimony”: allows a court, by motion from the state, to allow the testimony of a child who is 10 years of age or younger and the alleged victim of a sexual assault or sexual exploitation outside of the presence of the defendant.

L.D. 1469, “An Act To Ensure Ethical Standards for Court Reporters”: establishes ethical standards and requirements for the provision of court reporting services, including prohibitions against providers of court reporting services.

L.D. 1475, “An Act To Ensure Ethical Standards for Court Reporters”: allows an attorney who practices law in a jurisdiction other than this state to be admitted to the general practice of law in this state without complying with the qualifications for admission to practice law.

1 p.m.

Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commitee; work sessions; room 206; Cross Building

L.D. 736, “An Act To Establish the Review Board of Appeals To Review the Denial of Hunting and Fishing Licenses”: establishes the Review Board of Appeals within the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to review hunting and fishing license denials by the department.

L.D. 1174, “An Act To Subject a Motorboat with a Certificate of Number from Another Jurisdiction to the Annual Registration Fee”: emergency bill, establishes the Commission To Study the Creation of a State and Federal Fish and Wildlife Museum at the Massabesic Experimental Forest in Alfred and Lyman.

L.D. 1191, “An Act To Strengthen the Fishing Laws”: separates provisions governing bass fishing tournaments and provisions governing fishing derby permits; gives the commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife the authority to place conditions and restrictions on derby permits and bass tournament permits; clarifies that any fish caught for a fishing derby must be killed immediately and becomes part of the participant’s daily bag limit; revokes the commissioner of Marine Resources’ authority over fishways in dams and other artificial obstructions in inland waters; authorizes the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to stock native fish species in Big Wadleigh Pond in Piscataquis County.

L.D. 1225, “ An Act To Strengthen Maine’s Wildlife Laws”: adds rock doves to the list of wild birds that may be hunted; adds bear, moose and wild turkey to the list of wild animals a person is prohibited to feed; clarifies the commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s extension of the open season for bird hunting in certain sections of the state that had been closed by proclamation must conform to federal guidelines for migratory game bird species; directs the commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to establish a task force to consider the effect of the importation and possession of wildlife.

1:30 p.m.

Health and Human Services Committee; work sessions; room 209; Cross Building

L.D. 534, “An Act To Improve Care Coordination for Persons with Mental Illness”: provides an exception to the health care information confidentiality laws that protect mental health information for the purposes of care management and coordination of care.

L.D. 633, “An Act To Grant the Commissioner of Health and Human Services and the Commissioner’s Designees the Independent Authority To Issue Adjudicatory Subpoenas”: grants to the commissioner of Health and Human Services and the commissioner’s designees the independent authority to issue administrative subpoenas for adjudicatory proceedings.

L.D. 929, “An Act To Amend the Requirements for the Reporting of New Hires”: emergency bill, requires an employer to forward the information, including the date the person starts work, within 7 days of the employee’s beginning or returning to service, without being notified by the Department of Health and Human Services.

L.D. 968, “An Act To Provide Needed Psychiatric Hospitalization for Persons with Mental Illness”: requires the commissioner of Health and Human Services to make psychiatric hospitalization available to a person with mental illness who is experiencing a psychiatric crisis and who has been determined by a health care practitioner to be in need of hospitalization.

L.D. 1029, “Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services To Amend Its Rules Pertaining to a Request for Mental Health Records”: directs the department to amend its rules to allow for a recipient of mental health services or the recipient’s parent or legal guardian to review their records daily.

L.D. 1165, “An Act To Improve the Safety of Workers Who Provide Direct Mental Health and Social Services”: requires all programs providing direct services to clients that are operated, licensed or funded by the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a workplace violence prevention program.

L.D. 1166, “An Act Regarding Records Retention by Mental Health Practitioners”: requires mental health agencies and mental health professionals to plan for and provide secure and private retention of client records and record destruction.

L.D. 1284, “An Act Regarding Delayed Birth Registration”: removes an affidavit of personal knowledge as an accepted document as evidence of birth required for a delayed registration of birth.

L.D. 1337, “An Act To Revise the Maine Wild Mushroom Harvesting Certification Program”: creates an annual licensing requirement, in addition to the existing certification requirement, for certain persons selling, transferring or otherwise delivering wild mushrooms.

L.D. 1387, “An Act To Provide Clarity and Consistency in Routine Public Health Licensing Activities”: clarifies to whom the definitions of “eating establishment” and “lodging place” apply; makes changes in the laws governing electrologists, tattoo artists and persons performing micropigmentation and body piercing to increase fines for violations and provide consistency; and makes toilet facility requirements for eating establishments consistent with rules of the Plumbers’ Examining Board.

L.D. 1388, “An Act To Clarify Civil Liability of Persons Making False Claims to the Department of Health and Human Services”: clarifies liability for conduct associated with false claims made to the Department of Health and Human Services.

L.D. 1407, “An Act To Increase Access to Postsecondary Education for Maine’s Children”: emergency bill, requires the Department of Health and Human Services to require a parent of an infant under one year of age seeking family assistance from the department to apply on behalf of the infant for a Harold Alfond College Challenge grant or sign a statement indicating why the parent chooses not to apply.

L.D. 1417, “An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Certain Human Services Licensing and Certification Requirements”: provides that the survey interval may be up to 15 months for intermediate care facilities for persons with intellectual disabilities; requires the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt routine technical rules necessary to license intermediate care facilities for persons with intellectual disabilities; specifies that the Department of Health and Human Services is required to adopt rules for various levels of children’s residential care facilities; and changes definitions and designations of rules.

L.D. 1449, “An Act To Amend the Composition and Duties of the Maine Children’s Growth Council”: requires the Maine Children’s Growth Council apointees represent a diversity of interests; adds the commissioner, or the commissioner’s designee, of the Department of Corrections, the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Department of Labor and the Department of Public Safety and the superintendent of Insurance, or the superintendent’s designee, as members; adds three more employees from the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Education; and staggers the terms of appointed members.

3 p.m.

Health and Human Services Committee; work sessions; room 209; Cross Building

L.D. 746, “Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services To Provide an Exception to the 60-day Limit on Out-of-state Services under the MaineCare Section 21 Waiver Program”: requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide that if all parties  relating to a perosn with intellectual disabilities agree, an exception to the 60-day limit on out-of-state services must be granted.

L.D. 801, “Resolve, To Extend the Deadline for the Department of Health and Human Services To Submit a Report on Persons with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism”: emergency bill, extends the deadline for the Department of Health and Human Services to submit its 2013 system of care plan for persons with intellectual disabilities or autism to Dec. 15, 2013.

L.D. 829, “Resolve, To Complete the Timely and Appropriate Redesign of Shared Living Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism”: emergency bill, requires the Department of Health and Human Services to continue to work on the redesign of its shared living program and to complete the redesign by June 30, 2013.

L.D. 897, “ An Act To Establish the Volunteer Advocate Program”: establishes in law the Volunteer Advocate Program to replace the Volunteer Correspondent Program.

L.D. 969, “Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services To Reduce and Limit the Adult Developmental Services Waiting Lists by Implementing a More Efficient, Responsive and Individualized Model of Service Delivery”: emergency bill, requires the Department of Health and Human Services to request approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to amend the MaineCare waivers to permit the reimbursement for the use of appropriate electronic technology as a means of reducing the costs of supporting people currently being served.

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