LD 1189 Maine House · 132nd Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act To Prohibit Arrest And Detention For Civil Violations And Require An Attorney For The State To Determine Whether To Charge A Class E Offense As A Civil Violation

This bill prohibits arresting or detaining people for civil violations, such as minor offenses like traffic tickets or code violations. It requires state attorneys to decide whether to charge certain minor criminal offenses (Class E crimes ineligible for probation) as civil violations instead, considering factors like the offense severity, victim impact, and prior records. If charged as a civil violation, penalties are limited to $1,000, and this decision cannot be challenged in court. The bill directly affects individuals facing minor charges and state attorneys who will make these charging decisions.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jul 2025
Introduced Mar 20, 2025 Signed Jul 7, 2025
Floor votes · House Jun 17, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
28
Key actions
9
Committee
8
Jul 7, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor
executive
Jun 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED in concurrence.
upper
Jun 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED.
lower
Jun 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (H-752) READ and ADOPTED.
upper
Jun 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
On motion by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED
upper
Jun 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (H-752) was READ and ADOPTED.
lower
Jun 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
On motion of Representative KUHN of Falmouth, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.
lower
Jun 16, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - OTP-AM/ONTP
legislature
Mar 20, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY in concurrence
upper
Mar 20, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY.
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed.
lower
1 primary · 8 co-sponsors

Sponsors