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AARP Maine 2026 Legislative Wrap Up

Read all about our work in Augusta for 2026 on behalf of Mainers 50+ and their families

AARP

Published May 05, 2026

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AARP’s vision is a society where everyone can live with dignity and purpose and pursue their goals and dreams. That vision is why, during the past legislative session, AARP Maine was actively engaged at the State House in Augusta, advocating for policies that matter to people age 50 and older and their families.

Working on legislation allows us to help create positive change and bring value to our members through advocacy, service, and trusted information.

The legislature adjourned on April 14, 2026, and there is much to celebrate from this session. With the support of dedicated volunteers, AARP Maine helped amplify the voices of older Mainers at the State House.

We thank all our lawmakers for their hard work this session. We also extend special thanks to our Tuesdays at the State House volunteers. These volunteers spent countless hours meeting with legislators, providing testimony, and attending committee hearings, all to help make Maine an even better place to live for people of all ages.

Below is a summary of some key bills that AARP staff and volunteers supported and successfully advanced this session.

A quick legislative note: bills in Maine are commonly referred to as “LDs,” which stands for Legislative Document, followed by a number.

Supporting Aging in Place

Most older adults want to remain in their homes and communities as they age. To make that possible for more Mainers, we must build a state that supports aging in place.

This session, AARP Maine advocated for policies that increase housing options and invest in affordable housing through the state budget. We also supported the Older Mainers Act, which directs essential funding to Maine’s Area Agencies on Aging. These agencies provide critical services such as Meals on Wheels, adult day programs, and caregiver support.

Lawmakers included one-time funding in this year’s budget to further support the Maine Retirement Investment Trust (MERIT) and ensure that this public-private program will continue allowing Mainers without employer-provided retirement programs to save for their retirement years.

In addition, we advocated for LD 1932, which was funded in the state budget and provides a cost-of-living adjustment for Maine’s essential care workers.

Strengthening Consumer Protections

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This session delivered important wins for consumer protections. We were pleased to see the passage of LD 1901, which provides clearer rules and protections for consumers regarding shared appreciation mortgages.

The legislature also took steps to protect Mainers carrying medical debt. LD 2129 is now law and prevents liens from being placed on primary residences and wages from being garnished due to medical debt.

AARP Maine supported the passage of LD 1998 to tighten restrictions on operators of cryptocurrency ATMs that are often used by scammers to steal money from unsuspecting individuals.

Helping Mainers Afford Everyday Needs

The state budget passed in April includes funding to expand access to affordable prescription drugs through health centers serving rural communities across Maine. This investment helps ensure that more Mainers can access the medications they need without facing unnecessary financial strain.

Protecting Vulnerable Mainers

Several bills passed this session focused on protecting people during times when they may be most vulnerable. One new law requires all Maine hospitals to develop a cybersecurity response plan to help protect patient safety during a cyber incident.

Another bill directs the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to create an online system that allows Mainers to more easily and securely report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an older adult.

To combat the affordability challenges faced by low-income electricity customers, lawmakers included $7.5 million in the budget to bolster the Low Income Assistance Program (LIAP). Additionally, AARP Maine supported a bill that will now prevent third-party energy suppliers from charging a higher rate to customers receiving low-income assistance than the standard supply rate those customers would normally pay. These measures will provide much-needed support to those electricity customers with low and fixed incomes.

There is much to be proud of this legislative session. AARP Maine extends sincere gratitude to the legislators and volunteers whose dedication and advocacy helped make these successes possible.