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LD 541

An Act To Promote Awareness Of The Maine Parentage Act

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bill Bridgeo

The bill would fund and require DHHS to develop and distribute brochures to educate the public about the Maine Parentage Act.

Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
#domesticrelations #maineparentageact #parentalrights
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Bill Summary · LD 541

Summary: LD 541 — An Act To Promote Awareness Of The Maine Parentage Act

Overview

LD 541 is a 2025 Maine bill titled “An Act To Promote Awareness Of The Maine Parentage Act.” It would require the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to develop and distribute brochures about the Maine Parentage Act. The bill provides a one-time General Fund appropriation to fund this outreach. The legislative status is Dead; the bill was not enacted.

Purpose and Intent

  • The main aim is to increase public awareness and understanding of the Maine Parentage Act.
  • The measure focuses on education and information dissemination rather than changing legal standards, procedures, or rights within the act itself.

Key Provisions

  • DHHS would create brochures describing the Maine Parentage Act and related resources.
  • The bill provides a one-time appropriation to DHHS to fund the brochure development and distribution.

Note: The text indicates no changes to the substantive provisions of the Maine Parentage Act itself; the act would be unchanged aside from the outreach effort.

Fiscal Impact

  • One-time General Fund appropriation of $16,000 in FY 2025-26 to DHHS for brochure development and distribution.
  • The fiscal notes project zero ongoing cost beyond the one-time appropriation (i.e., no recurring annual costs).
  • The authorized funding is explicitly labeled as one-time.

Who/What Would Be Affected

  • Primary: Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) would administer the brochure project.
  • Secondary: The broader public, families, prospective parents, legal professionals, and others who interact with or are impacted by the Maine Parentage Act, who would receive improved informational materials.

Procedural History and Timeline

  • Introduced: February 11, 2025
  • Committee: Health and Human Services
  • Work Session: March 26, 2025
  • Reported: ONTP/OTP-AM (Incomplete/Amendment)
  • April 17, 2025: Reports Read; Majority Ought Not to Pass Report accepted; non-concurrence noted
  • Legislative action: Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) on April 17, 2025
  • Rationale for status: The bill did not advance to enactment and was subsequently considered dead in the legislative process.

Additional Notes

  • There are two identical fiscal notes (Document 3 and Document 4) approving a one-time $16,000 General Fund appropriation for DHHS in FY 2025-26 to create Maine Parentage Act brochures.
  • The bill does not alter the substantive provisions of the Maine Parentage Act; its impact is educational/informational only.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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