04/15/2020

COVID-19: Maine Governor Janet Mills Extends State of Emergency

On Tuesday, April 14, 2020, Governor Janet Mills issued a proclamation extending Maine’s state of civil emergency through May 15, 2020. The original proclamation was set to expire on April 15, 2020.

The proclamation allows Governor Mills to continue deploying all available state resources to respond to and protect Maine citizens against the spread of COVID-19. The proclamation also grants emergency powers to the Department of Health and Human Services, and eases Maine’s access to federal aid to boost response efforts.

This new proclamation does not change the expiration dates of Executive Order 19, An Order Regarding Essential Businesses and Operations, or Executive Order 28, An Order Regarding Further Restrictions on Public Contact and Movement, Schools, Vehicle Travel and Retail Business Operations, often referred to as the “Stay at Home Order.” Both orders are still set to expire on April 30, 2020 unless otherwise amended, rescinded, or renewed.

However, several other executive orders are extended by their own terms as a result of the new proclamation.

The following orders will expire upon the termination of the state of civil emergency unless rescinded sooner:

  • Executive Order 23, An Order Suspending Provisions of the Maine Pharmacy Act and Related Rules in Order to Facilitate the Continuation of Out-of-State Clinical Trials of Investigational Drugs during the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Executive Order 35, An Order Suspending Enforcement of Provisions of Certain Licensing Statutes and Rules in Order to Facilitate Health Care and Veterinary Care During the State of Emergency Created by COVID-19

The following orders will expire 30 days after the termination of the state of civil emergency unless rescinded sooner:

  • Executive Order 18, An Act Extending Compliance Dates Under Certain Motor Vehicle Laws
  • Executive Order 24, An Act Regarding Recycling and Solid Waste Facility Operating Hours Enforced by the Department of Environmental Protection
  • Executive Order 30-A, An Order Regarding an Extension of the Current Use Taxation Deadline
  • Executive Order 31, An Order Extending Deadlines Related to Certain Property Tax Exemptions
  • Executive Order 37, An Order Temporarily Modifying Certain In-Person Notarization and Acknowledgement Requirements

For questions on this or any of Governor Mills’ Executive Orders related to COVID-19, please contact firm partner Ann Robinson.

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