Environmental Health & Climate Change
Pediatricians across Maine are seeing the impacts of climate change on the physical and mental health of their patients. Maine children deserve to grow up in a healthy environment which supports, not threatens, their health and development. The Maine AAP supports policies that seek to prevent further climate change, mitigate the current impacts of climate change on children’s health, and promote a clean and healthy environment.
See below for a list of the environmental health and climate-related policies we’re working on, and how you can take action.
Current Legislation
Sponsor: Senator Stacy Brenner | Current Status: REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
This bill requires carriers offering health plans in this State to provide coverage for blood testing for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, recommended by a provider as medically necessary health care in accordance with clinical guidelines established by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The requirements of the bill apply to health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The bill also includes language stating the Legislature's finding that the requirement for coverage for blood testing for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances are not an expansion of the State's essential health benefits and do not require the State to defray costs pursuant to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Take Action:
TestifySponsor: Senator Richard Bennett | Current Status: COMMITTEE CARRIED OVER
This bill prohibits the sale, use and possession of single-use electronic nicotine delivery devices, which include electronic cigarettes, electronic cigars, electronic pipes, electronic hookahs and so-called vape pens. The bill establishes penalties for such sale, use and possession that are similar to the penalties for the sale of nicotine liquid containers that are not child resistant. The bill also directs the Department of Environmental Protection to 36 convene a stakeholder group of interested parties to review the feasibility and viability of establishing an extended producer responsibility approach to all batteries not currently covered by an extended producer responsibility requirement, including, but not limited to, batteries used in electronic cigarettes, electronic cigars, electronic pipes, electronic hookahs and so-called vape pens