After the previous week's House vote on the vaccine exemption bill, LD 798, it was the Senate's turn last Thursday. The drama was high as the halls were filled with advocates for both sides of the issue. The Senate met on other matters, then broke for party caucuses on the issue. When they returned, there was impassioned floor debate, and then the vote: 20-15 in favor of the bill. But the work was not finished. Senator David Miramant (D-Knox) moved an amendment to reverse part of the action and retain the religious exemption. The vote was 18-17 in favor of the amendment, with four Democrats joining all of the Republicans. The story is not over yet, since the bill must now go back to the House which passed a different version. Watch this space next week to see what happens.

The Health & Human Services Committee held work sessions on several bills, among them LD 1616 which would establish a state version of the vaccine injury board. After some discussion, the bill was tabled until tomorrow (May 7). There was a public hearing on LD 1539, a bill to expand the CHIP program to cover more children from families with incomes up to 325% of the federal poverty limit, and a work session will be held on Tuesday as well. On Monday the Committee held work sessions on a number of bills. Notable were: the 11-0 "Ought to Pass" vote on LD 684, a Resolve directing the DHHS to develop recommendations on the treatment and prevention of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome; the 12-0 "Ought to Pass" vote on LD 699, to provide outreach programs for women at risk of giving birth to substance-exposed infants; the 8-2 "Ought to Pass" vote on LD 40, to establish a study commission on children's mental health; the 9-0 "Ought to Pass" vote on LD 1461 to support early intervention in emerging psychosis; and the 12-0 "Ought to Pass" vote on LD 1548, calling for a review of assisted living facilities that provide memory care for able-bodied persons with dementia. During the upcoming week the HHS Committee will continue with other work sessions, with a few public hearings on substance use disorder, marijuana, and various other issues mixed in.

This coming Friday the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee will hold an all-day public hearing session to consider eleven firearm safety bills. The MMA is taking positions in support of the following: LD 379 (safe storage); 810 (background checks); 1276 (background checks) ; 1071 (high capacity magazines) ; and 1099 (waiting periods for purchase). Any member of the MMA wishing to testify on any of these bills is encouraged to contact MMA General Counsel Peter Michaud (pmichaud@mainemed.com) for details, regardless of the position you wish to take.

The Appropriations & Financial Services Committee continues its work on the Governor's proposed SFY 20-21 biennial budget, L.D. 1001. Most of this work is going on in private caucuses, not in public session.

The legislature's work is likely to remain focused in committees (public hearings and work sessions) for most of the month of May before it moves to the floor of the House and Senate where members will debate divided committee reports and process unanimous reports through the consent calendar with a goal of meeting the June 19th statutory adjournment deadline.