Here’s a summary of major new laws enacted during the Maine Legislature’s January-April session.
Health care
—Annual and lifetime caps on health insurance payments are eliminated
—Immunization costs are lowered for young children
—Medical marijuana dispensaries and distribution are authorized
—Health insurers required to cover early intervention for children with developmental disabilities
Environment/energy
—Sulfur content in fuel oil is lowered
—Notification registry for outdoor pesticide applications is created
—Out-of-state firewood outlawed to prevent infestation of damaging insects
—Manufacturers of consumer products required to take responsibility for collecting, recycling products at the end of their useful life
—’Smart Grid’ policy encourages technology to curb and manage energy use
—Brominated flame retardants to be phased out on shipping pallets
Consumer protection
—New regulations prevent deceptive free trial offers
—Surcharges on debit card purchases are banned in Maine
—Homeowners in foreclosures get more protections
Senior citizens
—Towns may allow property tax deferrals for eligible seniors 70 or older
—Development of Silver Alert program for missing senior citizens is authorized
Voting/elections
—Organizations paid to circulate petitions required to register with state
—Gift reporting requirements for legislators are clarified
—Campaign finance disclosures beefed up to increase public transparency
Outdoors
—Concealed weapons permit holders can to bring guns into Acadia National Park
—Saltwater anglers must sign up in fishing registry effective 2011
—Some snowmobile clubs to get sales tax exemptions for trail-grooming equipment
Miscellaneous
—Animal cruelty law will be bolstered
—Roller-skiers in Maine must follow the same rules of the road as bicyclists
—Lobster processors given more flexibility to market new lobster meat products
—Goal set to achieve statewide secondary school graduation rate of 90 percent
—Unemployment benefits allowed for week in which worker also gets vacation pay
—Rules loosened for wine shops, boutique breweries and liquor stores to hold taste-testing events
—More restrictions placed on traffic surveillance cameras
—Trust fund to be established to ensure continuing maintenance of veterans’ graves