Criminal Justice

signed · Maine · House Apr 15, 2026

LD 338: An Act To Increase The Size And Balance Of Jury Pools

This bill expands Maine's jury pool sources by adding registered voters, people who receive state income tax forms, and recipients of public assistance and unemployment benefits to the list of potential jurors. Currently, jury lists are drawn primarily from driver's license records, but this bill broadens the pool to include these four new categories. The goal is to increase the size and diversity of jury pools statewide by incorporating more community members. The bill does not alter how individual jurors are selected from the expanded pool.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands jury pool diversity by including new demographics, enhancing court representation and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of equitable participation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

failed · Maine · House Jun 18, 2025

LD 532: An Act To Protect Health Care Workers By Addressing Assaults In Health Care Settings

LD 532 expands Maine's assault law to specifically protect all health care workers in hospital emergency rooms. The bill defines assault on these workers as a Class C crime, covering anyone employed or contracted by a state-licensed health care entity (including hospitals and clinics) while performing their job in the emergency room. This change directly affects health care workers in Maine's emergency departments by strengthening legal consequences for assaults against them. The key provision amends existing statute §752-F to broaden the definition beyond previous limitations, ensuring all licensed health care workers in emergency settings receive the same legal protection.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands assault law to protect health care workers, strengthening penalties for assaults in ERs under criminal justice framework95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill classifies assaults on healthcare workers in ERs as Class C crimes, directly protecting medical staff through strengthened legal safeguards in healthcare settings.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands assault law to protect health care workers in ERs, strengthening workplace safety protections for a key labor group.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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signed · Maine · House Jun 18, 2025

LD 930: An Act To Amend The Law Governing Items Identified As Prison Contraband

This bill changes penalties for trafficking certain items into Maine prisons. It reclassifies trafficking in unauthorized mobile phones or vaping devices (like e-cigarettes) from a Class C crime to a less severe Class D crime. The law specifically targets handheld electronic devices not approved by prison authorities and vaping products, defining both terms clearly in the bill. This directly affects individuals who attempt to smuggle these items into correctional facilities. The policy change simplifies enforcement by creating distinct penalties for these common contraband items.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReclassifies trafficking of unauthorized mobile phones/vaping into prisons from Class C to Class D crime, reducing penalties and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Maine · House Jun 18, 2025

LD 1684: An Act To Exclude From Eligibility For A Community Confinement Monitoring Program A Person Serving A Sentence For Certain Domestic Violence Crimes

This bill prohibits individuals serving sentences for specific domestic violence crimes from participating in Maine's community confinement monitoring programs. It directly affects people convicted of domestic violence aggravated assault, elevated aggravated assault, or assault on a pregnant person against family/household members or dating partners (under Title 17-A, sections 208-D, 208-E, or 208-F). The law requires jail administrators to conduct thorough risk assessments, contact victims, and document safety considerations before any potential placement, but ultimately bars eligibility for these offenders. The policy change prevents these individuals from accessing community-based supervision programs while serving their sentences.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExcludes domestic violence offenders from community confinement programs, restricting rehabilitation access and increasing incarceration instead of promoting reform.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

failed · Maine · Senate Jun 13, 2025

LD 677: An Act To Update The Statutory Definition Of "Machine Gun" And Prohibit Possession Of A Rapid-Fire Device

This bill updates Maine's definition of "machine gun" to include any part or combination of parts designed to convert a standard firearm into a machine gun (such as devices enabling multiple shots per trigger pull or crank/lever systems). It also creates a new Class D crime for knowingly possessing a "rapid-fire device" without authorization. A rapid-fire device is defined as any part or device that increases a semi-automatic firearm's rate of fire beyond normal operation, including recoil-powered triggers or manual crank/lever mechanisms. The law directly affects individuals who own or possess such devices, making their possession illegal without legal authority.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class D crime for rapid-fire device possession, expanding criminalization per bill's definition of 'rapid-fire device'.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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failed · Maine · House Jun 11, 2025

LD 1032: An Act Regarding Court Security

LD 1032 requires Maine's State Court Administrator to contract for court security services when a court experiences security shortages affecting more than 2% of its scheduled time in a month. This bill directly affects courts statewide that face recurring security gaps, mandating the hiring of qualified security personnel to restore operations. Key provisions include prioritizing contracts for the local sheriff's office before seeking external providers and defining the specific threshold (2% monthly shortfall) that triggers the requirement. The law aims to ensure consistent court security without specifying new funding mechanisms or altering existing sheriff responsibilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates court security contracts for shortages, ensuring court functionality and safety - a direct enhancement to court operations within criminal justice.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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failed · Maine · House Jun 10, 2025

LD 1930: An Act Regarding Acts Of Violence Committed Against A Pregnant Woman

LD 1930 defines "unborn child" as the offspring from conception until birth for certain criminal laws in Maine. It specifies that the terms "person" and "human being" in murder, manslaughter, and assault statutes include an unborn child, meaning violence harming a fetus during pregnancy could be prosecuted under these laws. The bill includes exceptions for acts committed by the mother, lawful medical procedures performed at the mother's request, or the administration of prescribed medication. This directly affects cases involving violence against pregnant people where fetal harm occurs, expanding criminal liability for such acts under existing statutes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminal liability for harm to fetuses under assault/murder statutes, increasing criminalization per bill's explicit inclusion of 'unborn child' in criminal definitions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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failed · Maine · House Jun 9, 2025

LD 1147: An Act Regarding The Required State Of Mind Relating To The Threatening Display Or Carrying Of A Concealed Weapon

This bill amends Maine's law on threatening weapon displays and concealed carry to require that a person must intentionally or knowingly conceal a weapon or display one in a threatening manner to face criminal liability. It directly affects individuals who carry weapons in public, updating the mental state requirement to align with a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling (Counterman v. Colorado, 2023). The key change specifies that negligence or accidental actions no longer suffice for prosecution - only deliberate or aware conduct qualifies under the statute. The law applies to all concealed weapons, including firearms, knives, and other deadly weapons typically used for attack or defense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends law to require intentional/knowing conduct for weapon charges, aligning with SCOTUS ruling to reduce over-criminalization and protect civil rights.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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failed · Maine · House Jun 5, 2025

LD 332: An Act To Establish Mandatory Minimum Sentences For Gross Sexual Assaults Against Children And Aggravated Sex Trafficking Of Children

LD 332 establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences for specific crimes involving children under 12. It requires courts to impose at least 25 years for gross sexual assault against children under 12 (with no suspended time), life imprisonment for repeat offenders convicted of similar crimes against children under 12, and a minimum 25-year sentence for aggravated sex trafficking involving children under 12. The bill directly affects defendants convicted of these offenses by removing judicial discretion for the minimum sentence length. These provisions apply to cases where the state proves the crime involved a child under 12, as specified in Maine’s criminal code.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 25+ year sentences with no judicial discretion for child sex crimes, increasing mandatory sentencing severity per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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failed · Maine · House Jun 5, 2025

LD 418: An Act To Remand Individuals With Pending State Probation Violations To The Department Of Corrections Following Initial Proceedings

LD 418 requires that individuals charged with state probation violations who are denied bail at their initial court appearance, cannot pay the set bail amount, or have other pending court cases (where bail hasn't been set) must remain in the custody of Maine's Department of Corrections. This applies until their pending court proceedings for the probation violation or other matters are resolved. The bill changes the current process by mandating DOC custody instead of release on bail for these specific individuals during their initial court proceedings. It directly affects people facing probation violation charges who cannot secure bail for those charges or other pending cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates DOC custody for probation violations instead of bail, restricting defendant rights and increasing incarceration without reform measures.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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