Kristen Cloutier is serving her second term as the State Representative for House District 94, part of Lewiston. She currently serves on the Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs and serves as the House Chair of the Commission to Develop a Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Program. She previously served on the Taxation Committee and was appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve on the Blue Ribbon Commission to Study and Recommend Funding Solutions for the State's Transportation System.

Kristen served as a caregiver to her mother who lost her battle with Alzheimer’s in 2018, and during the 130th Legislature, introduced legislation to create the Family Caregiver Grant Pilot Program. She worked with her colleagues on the AFA Committee to fund the program through the American Rescue Plan Act. Currently in the creation phase, this program would provide caregivers the choice to receive a direct payment for care provided or the use of the existing Respite Care program to access support in the community.

Kristen also sponsored legislation increasing the funding allocation for the State’s tobacco cessation programs and targeted prevention and treatment efforts to $15.9 million, the full amount recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Among other initiatives, she worked with her legislative colleagues and the Governor’s Office to provide disaster relief payments to over 500,000 Mainers; to set aside funds to keep breakfast and lunch free for all students; and to provide funding to senior living facilities to maintain emergency rate increases that support the professionals who care for their residents.

Kristen previously served as the Mayor of Lewiston and City Council President, representing Ward 5, where she supported various redevelopment projects and was an advocate of public art and the role it can play in economic development.

Kristen is a life-long resident of Lewiston, and has been employed by Bates College for more than two decades, most recently as the Assistant Director for Center Operations at the Harward Center for Community Partnerships.

Kristen received her undergraduate degree from Northeastern University and her graduate degree from the University of Southern Maine. She and her husband enjoy spending time in the Maine outdoors with their daughter and two rescue dogs.

Kristen has a proven track record of getting results for her constituents. During her two terms in office, she has introduced legislation that will:

• Create the Family Caregiver Grant Pilot Program to offset the costs family members accrue when caring for loved ones at home [LD 296: Resolve, To Create the Family Caregiver Grant Pilot Program; LD 1733: An Act To Provide Allocations for the Distribution of State Fiscal Recovery Funds]

• Increase funding for the State’s tobacco cessation programs and targeted prevention and treatment efforts to $15.9 million, the full amount recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [LD 1868: An Act To Restore Funding to the State's Tobacco Prevention and Control Program]

• Decrease barriers and streamline business licensing so qualified new residents can enter Maine's workforce [LD 149: An Act To Facilitate Licensure for Credentialed Individuals from Other Jurisdictions]

• Direct $10m to aid Mainers experiencing homelessness [LD 211: An Act To Support Emergency Shelter Access for Persons Experiencing Homelessness; LD 1733: An Act To Provide Allocations for the Distribution of State Fiscal Recovery Funds]

• Create a more transparent process for reporting known lead paint hazards in housing [LD 336: An Act To Require That Notice of Lead Abatement Orders Be Filed with the Registry of Deeds]

• Give local school districts greater flexibility in spending reserve funds [LD 1918: An Act To Amend the Laws Regarding the Reserve Funds of Certain School Organizational Structures]

• Make common sense changes to the laws governing motor vehicle registrations [LD 644: An Act Regarding Motor Vehicle Registration Violations]

• Expand support for New Mainer populations across the State to become work-ready while waiting for a work permit from federal immigration authorities [LD 1533: An Act To Amend the Foreign Credentialing and Skills Recognition Revolving Loan Program]

• Increase English language learning opportunities and on-the-job training programs for skilled immigrants entering Maine’s workforce [1684: Resolve, To Strengthen Maine's Workforce by Expanding English Language Acquisition and Workforce Training Programs]