Senator Donna Bailey:
Getting results for our communities
LD 8 – An Act to Allow and Recognize a Legal Name Change upon Marriage – this bill passed
unanimously out of the Judiciary Committee and both chambers and became law. It allows people to change their name as part of their marriage license, if they want to, without having to go through a formal name change in the Probate Court. Ld 682 – An Act to Assist Seniors and Certain with Disabilities in Paying Property Taxes – this was a campaign promise I made in 2016 and 2018 to introduce this legislation. I was able to get it passed unanimously out of the Taxation Committee, and it passed unanimously in both chambers. This would allow those who qualify to have the State pay their property taxes so they can stay in their homes and not be foreclosed on. LD 1424 – An Act to Create an Access to Justice Income Tax Credit – working with the Finch Society from the Law School, this would create a tax credit for lawyers who agree to practice in underserved areas of the State, similar to the credit given to dentists and doctors, to insure access to justice for all Mainers, not just those who live in urban areas. Ld 62 – “An act to Enhance the Senior Volunteer Benefit program -as a member of the Mayor’s Senior Property Tax Abatement Committee, I was asked to sponsor Legislation to raise the maximum amount allowable for Senior Volunteers who earn property tax credits in our City to keep up with the minimum wage. This bill passed and became law. 
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As a member of the Appropriations & Financial Services Committee, I'm proud of our work to pass a unanimous, bipartisan supplemental budget that looks out for Maine families, communities, and small businesses. Here are just some of the provisions:
Ld 64 – An Act to Make Post-Conviction Possession of Animals a Criminal Offense - authorizes
the court in a proceeding for a violation of cruelty to animals to impose conditions, including but not limited to prohibiting ownership or possession of an animal or having an animal on the defendant's premises and prohibiting employment that involves the care of or other contact with animals. It also provides that an intentional or knowing violation of a court order issued pursuant to the provisions of the amendment is a Class D crime. Became law. Ld 566 – An Act to Protect Vulnerable Adults from Financial Exploitation - requires reporting to the Securities Administrator within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Office of Securities and the Department of Health and Human Services by qualified individuals who reasonably believe that financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult may have occurred, may have been attempted or is being attempted. Became law. Ld 1304 – An Act to Ease Financial Burdens for Juveniles Involved in the Justice System – this totally re-wrote the laws concerning restitution orders for Juveniles, and the considerations the Court must take into account when ordering restitution, in order to insure children are not burdened with financial obligations for life that they can never repay. Became law. Ld1442- An Act to Provide for Court-Appointed Advocates for Justice in Animal Cruelty Cases a/k/a as “Franky’s Law” – allows the Court to appoint a special advocate to assist the Court in animal cruelty cases. Became law. Ld1596 – An Act to Enhance the Long-term Stability of Certain At-risk Youth – allows the Maine State Courts to issue orders in compliance with the Federal laws concerning special immigrant juvenile status. Became law. Ld 1859 – An Act to Increase Access to Justice and Maine’s Rural Lawyer Workforce by Expanding Student Attorney Practice Opportunities - allows the State’s Law School to allow students who have completed 3 semesters to practice in the law school clinic. Ld2094 - This bill implements the consensus recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act, of which I was House Chair. It looks to restore to Maine Indian Tribes sovereignty in line with other Federally recognized Indian Tribes. Ld 766 – co-sponsored – Maine’s version of the Federal VAWA - extending tribal court jurisdiction, originally authorized by the federal Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, to any person who commits certain Class D domestic violence offenses against a member of a federally recognized tribe, nation, band or other group on the lands of the Passamaquoddy Tribe or the Penobscot Nation. Became law. Ld1475 – co-sponsor – An Act to Eliminate Profiling in Maine - The bill prohibits profiling on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, socioeconomic status, age, national origin or ancestry by requiring the establishment of anti-profiling policies and directs the Attorney General to explore data collection techniques and report to the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary findings and recommendations by March 15, 2020. Became law. The Judiciary committee may report out additional legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature. |
Constituent Services
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I am always available to help a constituent with matters before the State. One story does stick out though. I was contacted by a woman who was having difficulty in getting her hairdressing business up and running because she could not get her license approved through the State. Within hours of contacting me, I was able to secure her license and to get an apology from the Commissioner as to the way her situation had been handled. Cutting through red tape is my super power!
During the early part of the Covid state of emergency, I was contacted by a local small business owner, a seamstress, who had to close her shop due to the pandemic, as she was not considered an essential business. She contacted me because she had been approached by a local grocery store, as well as many of her customers, asking if she could sew masks for them. Within an hour, we were able to get her face mask sewing part of her business deemed essential and she was able to
help our community. |
Working across the aisle:
- Bi-Partisan Coastal Caucus member – working together on issues that affect Maine coastal
communities - Bi-Partisan Aging Caucus member – working together to support legislation that improves life
for Maine Seniors - Bi-Partisan Children’s Caucus member – working together to support legislation that improves
life for Maine children
