Masks mandate lifted as Maine Legislature gathers for votes | Well being and Health

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AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine lawmakers convened Wednesday and not using a masks requirement for the primary time because the COVID-19 pandemic started, voting on an election integrity proposal and a needle trade growth.

The Maine Home superior a invoice aimed toward defending election integrity, voting 76-55 to make clear the chain of custody of ballots and voting machines.

“Our elections are the inspiration of our democracy,” mentioned the invoice’s sponsor, Rep. Teresa S. Pierce, D-Falmouth. “I’m grateful that the Home voted right now in help of conserving our elections safe.”

The Home additionally gave preliminary approval by a 77-54 vote to permit state regulators to craft guidelines to extend the variety of syringes supplied via needle trade applications.

“2021 was the deadliest yr in Maine’s opioid epidemic. This disaster requires a sharper concentrate on hurt discount and remedy,” mentioned the sponsor, Rep. Genevieve McDonald, D-Stonington.

Wednesday marked the primary time the total Legislature gathered since legislative leaders lifted the masks mandate final week.

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Anger boiled over final yr when seven conservative lawmakers entered the State Home with out sporting masks, pissed off over guidelines that have been stricter than these in place for the general public at massive. That resulted within the lawmakers shedding their committee assignments.

The vote by the Legislative Council to raise the masking requirement for lawmakers was anticlimactic, and it got here towards a backdrop of declining COVID-19 hospitalizations in Maine.

A common masking advice for public colleges and little one care suppliers was additionally lifted on Wednesday.

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