Issues

This session, Rep. Haskell will be focused on issues of importance to Portland residents including the revamping of the Sex Offender Registry and Notification Act (SORNA) which will be a high priority both because of the impact of the “10 year lookback” for offenses from 1982 to 1992 (the date of Maine’s first SORNA) and because of the “John Doe” and other cases that have been brought to the courts here in Maine and across the country. In addition Congress has passed the Adam Walsh Act (federal SORNA requirements) and states are on a timeline to comply and funding does not seem to be adequate to the task.

Also, the initial rollout of the jail/prison consolidation that freezes county assessments to the cities and towns for the cost of jails, thereby creating property tax savings, is due this year. The new Board of Corrections is just getting ready to present its first report to the CRJ committee in January and it is a daunting task to keep the consolidation goals on track as the details are coming forward to them. Also last year one of the Governor’s nominees did not get confirmed, so there is still a vacancy on the board and I am looking forward to his nominee to fill that vacancy.

One bill of interest may be a Resolve to direct the Dept of Ed and DHHS to require the teaching of mental health awareness in Middle schools based on a national curriculum developed by NIH. This issue is linked to the The Portland Identification and Early Referral (PIER) program, a treatment research program serving the Greater Portland Area and would help kids to recognize mental illness, know about the resources available and give them some coping tools for themselves and their peers.

Having served in the legislature during the late 80's and early 90's as well as during her first term from 2007 – 2008, Rep. Haskell is very focused on maintaining the improvements made in the Juvenile Justice system, assuring that programs are outcome-based, and are focused on rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.

Other bills that Rep. Haskell will be sponsoring include:

• Resolve to review the process of Legislative Confirmations


• Resolve to direct the Dept of Ed and DHHS to require the teaching of mental health awareness in Middle schools based on a national curriculum


• AN ACT to Codify the Charter of the Portland Water District


• An Act to Improve Safety and Protection for Gun Sellers


• An act to clarify access to records in domestic violence matters


• An act to allow the Sec of State to collect parking fines


• An act to require recess in elementary school


• An act to revise the private investigators licensing


• An act to require internet service providers to maintain record