Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

failed · Maine · House May 22, 2025

LD 421: An Act To Eliminate Barriers To Reentry Into The Community After Incarceration By Repealing Certain Driver'S License Suspension Provisions

LD 421 repeals Maine law provisions that allowed courts to suspend a driver's license for up to 5 years for certain drug-related offenses. It specifically targets suspensions for crimes including drug trafficking, counterfeit drug trafficking, and aggravated marijuana cultivation. The bill removes the legal authority for courts to impose these license suspensions when sentencing individuals convicted of those specific offenses. This change directly affects people convicted of the listed drug crimes by eliminating a barrier to driving privileges upon reentry into the community after incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves license suspensions for drug offenses, reducing barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Probation & Parole Sentencing

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failed · Maine · Senate May 28, 2025

LD 1288: An Act To Amend Certain Provisions Of Maine'S Drug Laws Regarding Heroin, Fentanyl And Cocaine

LD 1288 amends Maine's drug laws by adjusting possession thresholds for heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. It defines "trafficking" to include possessing 2 grams or more of heroin/fentanyl powder or 90+ bags/containers, and "furnishing" to include possessing 200mg-2g of these drugs. The bill also sets new thresholds for cocaine base (32g for aggravated trafficking) and removes provisions allowing courts to infer drug trafficking from possession of certain quantities. These changes directly affect individuals possessing specified amounts of these drugs, altering the criminal classifications for such offenses. The bill removes prior provisions about permissible inferences under Maine's evidence rules for heroin and fentanyl.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves court inference of trafficking from possession, reducing criminalization of minor drug offenses and aligning with reform goals to lower recidivism and protect civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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failed · Maine · House Mar 10, 2026

LD 1919: An Act To Expand The Types Of Convictions Eligible For Sealing Through A Post-Judgment Motion To Seal Criminal History Record Information

LD 1919 expands Maine's law allowing individuals to seal certain criminal convictions from public records. It adds new eligible offenses, including pre-2017 marijuana cultivation and possession crimes (Class D), some drug possession cases under Title 17-A, and specific non-violent Class D crimes under Title 17-A, chapter 45. The bill excludes most domestic violence crimes, crimes involving firearms, and certain violent offenses, though some offenses like domestic violence may qualify after 20 years. This change allows people with qualifying convictions to file a motion to seal their records through existing court procedures. The bill amends Maine Revised Statutes §§2261, 2262, and 2263 to implement these eligibility expansions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands sealing of non-violent convictions (e.g., pre-2017 marijuana offenses), aiding reintegration and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy

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failed · Maine · House Apr 8, 2026

LD 1916: An Act To Automatically Seal Criminal History Record Information For Class D And Class E Crimes Relating To Marijuana Possession And Cultivation

This bill automatically seals criminal records for certain past marijuana-related offenses in Maine. It applies to convictions for Class D or E marijuana possession or cultivation committed between January 1, 2001, and January 29, 2017. The Bureau of State Police will automatically identify eligible records monthly and send them to courts for sealing, without requiring individuals to file separate requests. This change directly affects people with qualifying past convictions who meet specific criteria, such as having no other recent convictions or pending charges.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically seals past marijuana conviction records, reducing barriers to employment/housing and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to lower recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Policing

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failed · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1917: An Act To Allow The Sealing Of Criminal History Record Information Related To Convictions For Conduct That Is No Longer A Crime In The State

LD 1917 allows individuals convicted of conduct that is no longer illegal in Maine to seek to seal their criminal records. It specifically applies to convictions for offenses that were later decriminalized or legalized, such as certain marijuana-related crimes that are now legal. The bill removes the standard 4-year waiting period for these cases, enabling people to file for record sealing immediately after completing their sentences. This change provides a more timely process for clearing records of eligible convictions without requiring prolonged waiting.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves waiting period for sealing records of decriminalized offenses, reducing barriers to rehabilitation and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 1816: An Act To Establish A Statewide Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Kit Tracking System And Conduct An Inventory Of Existing Forensic Examination Kits In The Possession Of Law Enforcement

LD 1816 establishes a statewide tracking system for evidence kits used in sexual assault cases and requires law enforcement to inventory all existing kits currently held by them. It mandates that all completed kits be stored for 20 years - regardless of whether the victim reports the crime to police - and creates a system accessible to hospitals and law enforcement to track each kit's status. The Department of Public Safety will operate the tracking system, which must collect specific details for each kit to ensure proper handling and accessibility. This system aims to prevent kit loss or mismanagement, supporting victims who may later decide to report an assault.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens evidence handling in sexual assault cases by mandating statewide tracking, 20-year storage of kits regardless of reporting, and inventory - improving case resolution and victim rights within criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Policing Violent Crime

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failed · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1775: An Act To Authorize The Issuance Of A Revenue Bond To Upgrade County Jails To Meet The Corrections Needs Of Maine'S Counties

This bill authorizes Maine's Finance Authority to issue $87 million in revenue bonds to fund upgrades at county jails and short-term holding facilities (detaining adults for up to 72 hours pending trial or for sentences under 72 hours). The bonds, not considered state debt, must be repaid by 2036 using 50% from spirit sales revenue and 50% from opioid settlement funds. Funds will specifically upgrade facilities to accommodate individuals with substance use disorders and support their treatment, while also addressing potential funding gaps for jails. The bill targets all county jails and holding facilities across Maine, with allocations based on jail population.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates $87M to upgrade jails for substance use disorder treatment, directly supporting rehabilitation programs within criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $87M for jail upgrades to support substance use disorder treatment using opioid settlement funds, directly advancing healthcare services for this condition.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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signed · Maine · Senate Jul 1, 2025

LD 779: An Act To Fund The Aroostook County Drug Treatment Court

LD 779 provides $740,783 in one-time funding to establish a drug treatment court in Aroostook County. The bill allocates $140,500 for a new assistant district attorney position, $561,283 to the Office of Behavioral Health for pretrial services, and $39,000 for legal representation through the Public Defense Commission. Funds come from the Opioid Use Disorder Prevention and Treatment Fund and the General Fund. This court will offer substance use disorder treatment as an alternative to incarceration for eligible individuals in the criminal justice system.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $740k from existing funds to fund drug treatment court, supporting public health services via budget appropriation.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds drug treatment court as alternative to incarceration, promoting rehabilitation over punishment and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds substance use disorder treatment through Behavioral Health Office ($561,283) and opioid treatment fund, directly advancing healthcare access for addiction services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1009: An Act To Restore Full Civil Rights To Possess Firearms To Persons Previously Convicted Of Certain Nonviolent Felony Crimes

This bill amends Maine law to allow people previously convicted of certain nonviolent felonies to restore their right to possess firearms through the existing process under Title 15, section 396. It specifically removes convictions for nonviolent felonies (excluding those involving firearm use or serious bodily injury) from the list of offenses that automatically prohibit firearm possession. The change affects individuals with past convictions for crimes like drug offenses or property crimes that don't involve violence or weapons. It modifies the statute to clarify that such individuals can regain firearm rights once their civil rights are restored, without requiring new legislative action for each case. The bill does not automatically restore rights but streamlines the process for qualifying individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores firearm rights for nonviolent felons, advancing civil rights and reintegration - core criminal justice reform aligned with reducing unnecessary barriers post-conviction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Drug Policy Firearms

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