Criminal Justice (Corrections)

signed · Maine · House Jun 17, 2025

LD 931: An Act To Amend The Law Allowing Incarcerated Pretrial Or Presentence Individuals To Be Credited Time For Participation In Voluntary Work Projects In A Jail

This bill allows pretrial or presentence inmates in Maine county or regional jails to voluntarily participate in public works projects or property improvements for charitable organizations. Inmates who later receive a sentence for the charge they were detained for may have their jail time reduced by up to one day for every 16 hours worked. The sheriff must supervise the projects, and charitable organizations may pay for inmate transportation and officer costs. This applies only to inmates detained pretrial or presentence, not those jailed for unpaid fines.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows pretrial inmates to earn jail time reduction for voluntary work, promoting rehabilitation and sentencing reform through reduced sentences for participation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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

Sub-Topics Corrections

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 244: An Act To Provide Safe, Short-Term Housing To Indigent Individuals Recently Released From Correctional Facilities

LD 244 creates a program to provide safe, short-term housing for 2 months to indigent individuals recently released from Maine correctional facilities. The Department of Corrections, working with the Maine State Housing Authority, will administer this program using a new fund financed by state appropriations, grants, and donations. Housing must meet all safety, sanitation, and building codes, including private facilities, and includes specific provisions for individuals convicted of sex offenses. The bill also requires the Maine State Housing Authority to study long-term housing solutions by December 2025 and report findings to the legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides housing to reduce recidivism post-release, aligning with reform goals of improving reintegration and rehabilitation in corrections.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates state-funded housing program for formerly incarcerated individuals, advancing affordable housing access through direct provision and funding mechanisms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

signed · Maine · House Mar 21, 2025

LD 97: An Act To Facilitate The Improvement Of Credit Scores Of Residents Of Department Of Corrections Facilities

This bill (LD 97) exempts "credit improvement loans" from standard restitution and fine collection rules for incarcerated individuals in Maine. Specifically, it amends statutes to ensure funds received as credit improvement loans (under Title 34-A, section 3039, subsection 6) are not subject to the usual 25% deduction for restitution or fines paid to victims, courts, or facilities. This directly benefits residents of Maine Department of Corrections facilities who access these loans, as the full loan amount remains available to them. The key mechanism is removing the 25% deduction requirement for these specific loans, allowing incarcerated people to retain the full funds to improve their credit scores.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExempts credit improvement loans from restitution deductions, aiding inmate reintegration and credit rehabilitation - directly supports criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights

failed · Maine · House Jun 10, 2025

LD 647: An Act Regarding Telephone And Video Call Access In Detention And Correctional Facilities And Jails

LD 647 requires jails and correctional facilities in Maine to provide affordable telephone and video call services to residents. It caps service provider rates at Federal Communications Commission (FCC) levels for interstate calls, bans connection fees and account deposit charges, and mandates free call allowances: 90 minutes weekly for jail residents with under $50 in their account, and 90 minutes weekly for correctional facility residents with under $10. The bill directly affects detained individuals, requiring facilities to enable communication with families and attorneys without excessive cost. Key provisions include prohibiting blocked collect calls without alternative options and requiring service providers to disclose rates to call recipients.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates affordable call access in correctional facilities, promoting family connections to reduce recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

failed · Maine · Senate Jun 25, 2025

LD 1802: An Act To Implement The Recommendations Of The Maine Commission On Public Defense Services To Clarify When An Indigent Criminal Defendant Is Entitled To Counsel At State Expense

This bill clarifies when poor defendants in Maine criminal cases are entitled to free state-funded legal counsel. It specifies four situations where counsel must be provided: if the prosecutor requests imprisonment upon conviction, the defendant is in custody at their first court appearance, held in custody for over 24 hours total, or a court has previously found a risk of imprisonment in another case. The law directly affects indigent defendants facing potential jail time by defining clear, objective triggers for state-funded representation. This implements recommendations from Maine's Public Defense Commission to reduce ambiguity in the current system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies entitlement to counsel for indigent defendants facing potential imprisonment, strengthening due process and protecting defendant rights under criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

Track

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1706: An Act Regarding Notification Of Appointment Of Legal Representation For Indigent Clients In Custody

LD 1706 requires courts to officially record (docket) the appointment of a defense lawyer for indigent (low-income) defendants who are in custody within 24 hours of the assignment, excluding weekends and holidays. It applies only to defendants incarcerated at the time a lawyer is appointed. The key provision mandates this 24-hour documentation deadline for court records. This ensures timely tracking of legal representation for low-income individuals in jail, improving accountability in the process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnsures timely documentation of appointed defense lawyers for indigent defendants in custody, improving accountability and protecting right to counsel in criminal proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

Track

signed · Maine · House Jun 17, 2025

LD 1979: Resolve, Directing The Department Of Corrections To Convene A Working Group To Examine The Establishment Of A Program To Award Earned Time Credit For Educational Achievement To Persons Who Are Incarcerated

LD 1979 directs Maine's Department of Corrections to form a working group to study creating a program that would award incarcerated individuals earned time credits for completing educational courses. The working group must analyze similar programs in other states, review data on sentence deductions, recidivism rates, and program impacts, and gather relevant information. The group must submit its findings and recommendations to the Criminal Justice Committee by December 3, 2025, which could lead to future legislation establishing the program. This resolve does not create the program itself but initiates a study to inform potential policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes rehabilitation through education-based earned time credits, aiming to reduce recidivism and improve correctional outcomes.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes educational access for incarcerated individuals by directing study of earned time credits for course completion, aligning with expanding educational opportunities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections