Criminal Justice

failed · Maine · Senate May 29, 2025

LD 771: An Act To Include Possession Of Compounds, Mixtures Or Substances Containing A Detectable Amount Of Certain Scheduled Drugs To Prove The Offense Of Unlawful Trafficking Of Scheduled Drugs

LD 771 amends Maine's criminal code to redefine "amphetamine" and "methamphetamine" as any compound, mixture, or preparation containing these drugs in *any quantity*, including detectable traces. This change allows prosecutors to use even minimal amounts of these substances to prove unlawful trafficking charges, rather than requiring measurable quantities. The bill directly affects drug trafficking prosecutions by lowering the evidentiary threshold for proving the offense under Maine law. It amends specific sections of the Maine Revised Statutes (17-A MRSA §1101, sub-§27 and §28) to implement this definition.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill lowers evidentiary threshold for drug trafficking by prosecuting detectable traces, expanding criminalization and opposing reform efforts to reduce over-criminalization.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

failed · Maine · Senate May 14, 2025

LD 1320: An Act To Prevent Illicit Cultivation And Trafficking Within Maine'S Regulated Cannabis Industry

This bill updates Maine's cannabis laws to strengthen oversight of the regulated industry by expanding the definition of "disqualifying drug offense." It adds that a conviction within the past three years for unauthorized cannabis cultivation or distribution - outside Maine's legal medical or recreational frameworks - will disqualify applicants for business licenses or medical cannabis registry cards. This directly affects individuals seeking to operate in Maine's legal cannabis market who have recent illicit activity related to cannabis. The change aims to prevent illicit cultivation and trafficking by ensuring only those without recent unauthorized cannabis involvement can access regulated industry licenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands disqualification for recent cannabis offenses, restricting industry access for those with prior convictions, increasing criminalization of cannabis-related activities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

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

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing Violent Crime

Track

signed · Maine · House Jun 9, 2025

LD 1074: An Act To Remove The Limit On The Length Of Probation That May Be Served For Aggravated Attempted Murder

LD 1074 removes the maximum probation period for individuals convicted of aggravated attempted murder in Maine. Currently, probation for such crimes is capped at 4 years (the same limit as for other Class A offenses), but this bill eliminates that cap. The law now specifies that probation for aggravated attempted murder can be set for any term of years, meaning there is no maximum length. This directly affects sentencing for this specific offense, granting judges discretion to impose probation without time restrictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves 4-year probation cap for aggravated attempted murder, enabling longer supervision terms and opposing reform trends that seek to limit sentence lengths for serious offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

Track

failed · Maine · House Jun 11, 2025

LD 975: An Act To Repeal Laws Allowing Abortion And To Criminalize Abortion

LD 975 would repeal Maine's current laws permitting abortion and criminalize the procedure by defining "human being" to include a person from conception (Sec. 4). It directly affects individuals seeking abortion services and healthcare providers offering them, making abortion a criminal offense under Maine law. The bill amends definitions to align with this criminalization, removing existing legal protections for abortion care. Key provisions include repealing prior abortion-related statutes (Secs. 1, 8, 9) and redefining terms to support criminal penalties for abortion procedures. This bill does not include exceptions for rape, incest, or medical emergencies.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCriminalizes abortion, expanding criminalization under Maine law per bill's explicit language and subject 'CRIMINALIZED'.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill criminalizes abortion, restricting access to reproductive healthcare services. Removes legal protections for abortion care, directly limiting patient access to a covered health service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

Track

signed · Maine · House Jun 20, 2025

LD 1877: An Act To Increase Penalties For Human Trafficking Offenses

LD 1877 increases penalties for human trafficking offenses in Maine, specifically targeting aggravated sex trafficking (involving minors under 14) and standard sex trafficking (promoting prostitution). It raises minimum prison sentences to 20 years for aggravated trafficking and 4 years for standard trafficking, with higher terms for repeat offenders (up to 20 years). The bill also imposes enhanced minimum sentences of 7-23 years for violations near schools, shelters, youth facilities, and other protected locations. Additionally, it increases mandatory assessments (fines) for trafficking convictions, ranging from $1,000 to $6,000, which fund the Victims' Compensation Fund.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory minimum sentences for human trafficking (20 years for aggravated cases), aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher penalties and expanded criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

signed · Maine · House Mar 19, 2026

LD 1741: An Act Regarding County Law Enforcement Administration And Rural Law Enforcement

LD 1741 strengthens sheriffs' authority over deputy employment decisions by requiring county boards to give deference to a sheriff's choice not to reappoint or discipline deputies, unless sufficient evidence overcomes this presumption. It clarifies that chief deputies automatically become acting sheriffs upon a vacancy (due to death, resignation, etc.), and mandates county commissioners to provide funding for sheriff office expenses including training, legal advisors, and office space. The bill also specifies that sheriff appointment vacancies caused by primary election nominees must be filled by a governor-appointed candidate from the same political party, with recommendations from the county committee. Additionally, it clarifies that non-reappointment decisions (except probationary periods) follow collective bargaining procedures, and repeals a prior provision allowing counties to handle administrative functions for law enforcement. This bill directly affects sheriffs, county commissioners, chief deputies, and law enforcement deputies across Maine's counties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeStrengthens sheriffs' authority over deputy decisions without accountability measures, reducing oversight of law enforcement per bill's deference requirement to sheriff's choices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 15, 2026

LD 1773: An Act To Criminalize Certain Offenses Related To Gift Card Thefts

LD 1773 defines "retail merchandise" to explicitly include gift cards under Maine's organized retail theft laws. This change directly affects individuals who steal gift cards from retailers, making such thefts subject to the same criminal penalties as other stolen retail items. The bill's key mechanism is expanding the legal definition in existing law to cover gift cards as a distinct form of stolen property. It does not create new penalties but clarifies that gift card theft falls under current organized retail theft statutes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by explicitly including gift cards under theft laws, broadening criminal scope per 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 592: An Act To Amend The Laws Governing The Crime Of Endangering The Welfare Of A Child

LD 592 amends Maine's criminal statute (17-A MRSA §554) governing endangering a child's welfare. It clarifies that recklessly violating a duty of care toward a child constitutes the crime, and increases penalties based on harm: a Class D crime for general endangerment, Class C if the child suffers serious bodily injury, and Class B if the child dies. The bill directly affects caregivers, parents, or others with legal responsibility for a child's safety whose reckless actions cause injury or death. It does not change the core definition of the crime but specifies penalty levels tied to outcomes, making the law more precise.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for endangering child welfare (Class D to B based on harm), aligning with 'oppose' indicator of increasing mandatory sentences.85% confidence

Track