Resolve, To Study The Feasibility Of Establishing A Dedicated Family Court In Maine

LD 1618 is a procedural resolution establishing a 12-member study group to examine the feasibility of creating a dedicated family court in Maine. The group, appointed by legislative leaders and including judges, advocates, and individuals with family court experience, will study current case volumes, resolution times, delays, best practices from other states, resource needs, and multi-judge case handling. The study must be completed by December 3, 2025, with findings and recommendations submitted to the next legislative session. This resolution does not create a new court but only authorizes a study to assess whether one would be beneficial. It directly affects Maine's judicial system by initiating a formal review process for potential structural changes.