It's been an exciting (and exhausting) week in Augusta. Today, a bill to facilitate the construction of a private prison in Maine and to transfer prisoners out of state was just "carried over" or in other words, postponed until next year. We believe that the more time Mainers have to learn about the economic and human rights costs of private prisons, the more they will oppose privatizing Maine's prison system.
Yesterday, the Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously to pass a compromise version of LD 1337, “An Act To Ensure Patient Privacy and Control with Regard to Health Information Exchanges,” sponsored by Senator Roger Katz (R-Augusta). The ACLU of MAINE drafted this bill in response to the fact that 65% of Mainers are now included in a statewide centralized medical records database called HealthInfoNet, but most Mainers had no idea whether or not they were in it. The compromise language, negotiated with HealthInfoNet, Maine Medical Association, and Maine Hospital Association, requires health care providers to provide patients with a form describing HealthInfoNet and allowing patients to opt out of the system. The bill mandates that no patient who opts out of HealthInfoNet will be denied medical care based on that decision. The bill also includes a prohibition on marketing or sales of the data without prior patient consent and requires notification of patients in the event of a data breach. A unanimous committee report means that the bill will almost certainly pass the House and Senate very easily “under the hammer” next week.
On Tuesday, I spent a long day in Augusta. We started at 7 am at the Senator for a breakfast with both Democratic and Republican legislators and the Maine Choice Coalition to discuss the anti-choice bills that we face in the legislature. At 10 am, Republican and Democratic lawmakers joined doctors and the Maine Choice Coalition for a press conference to speak out against the draconian assault on reproductive freedom. Then, at 1 pm, the ACLU of MAINE, doctors, women, and advocates wore pink and stickers that read "Trust Women" at the public hearing on three anti-abortion bills -- a 24-hour mandated delay for abortion; a bill to require that doctors read a government script to all women seeking abortion; and a bill requiring notarized parental consent for abortion. The hearing lasted until almost 7 pm. I was inspired by the courageous testimony. Maine laws, which require informed consent and counseling for abortion, are working. There's no need to turn back the clock. The Judiciary Committee will vote on these bills, as well as the anti-contraception bill, LD 31, at its work session on Thursday, May 12.
On Monday, I testified against a bill, LD 250, that would allow municipalities to fund religious schools -- an unnecessary entanglement of government and religion. In these times of limited funding for education, the government should not go into the business of funding religion.
Next week? Monday morning, we testify against a bill that would eliminate Election-Day voter registration. At the same time, the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee will vote on repeal of the controversial Department of Education Social Security Number collection program.
Monday afternoon, the Health and Human Services Committee will vote on reform of Maine's medical marijuana registry. Meanwhile, the Judiciary will vote on some wacky unconstitutional bills attempting to ban Sharia law (or any foreign law) and prohibit enforcement of federal laws.
Tuesday morning, there will be a Senate floor vote on a $12 million bill to fund religious schools through tax credits. Tuesday afternoon, we testify against Maine's version of the Arizona "show me your papers" law.
Thursday, we testify in favor of a bill to limit the use of solitary confinement in Maine. Thursday afternoon, the Judiciary Committee will vote on three anti-abortion bills, one anti-contraception bill, and a bill that would prohibit mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment for minors without parental consent.
Friday morning, we testify at a public hearing for a bill that would create a separate crime against a fetus. Friday morning, the Judiciary Committee will vote on the Arizona-style profiling bill and the transgender discrimination bill.
Yes, it looks like next week will be exciting and exhausting too...
