LD 1536 Maine Senate · 132nd Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act To Amend The Laws Governing Bail

LD 1536 reverses the 2021 bail code changes by requiring that defendants in custody who cannot pay a $60 bail commissioner fee must be released on personal recognizance or unsecured bond. County sheriffs may establish a fund to cover this fee for indigent defendants, ensuring financial inability does not block release. The bill also modifies the factors judges consider when setting bail, adding domestic violence risk assessment results while removing prior provisions like probation status checks.
Bill status failed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 8, 2025 Last action May 29, 2025
Floor votes · House May 29, 2025

How they voted

6563
Passed · 8 other
Total votes 136
May 29, 2025
D Democratic66
62 Yea 1 Nay 3
93% Yea
I Independent3
3 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican67
62 Nay 5
92% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
3
Committee
4
May 29, 2025
Committee
On motion of Representative HASENFUS of Readfield, the Majority Ought Not to Pass Report was ACCEPTED.
lower
May 29, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (65-63-8)
house
May 23, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - ONTP/OTP
legislature
Apr 8, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors

Sponsors