Criminal Justice

signed · Maine · House Apr 26, 2026

LD 1941: An Act To Implement Recommendations Of The Commission To Examine Reestablishing Parole

LD 1941 reestablishes Maine's State Parole Board, which was previously abolished, by amending statutes to create a 7-member board within the Department of Corrections. Key provisions require the board to include at least one formerly incarcerated person, a mental health professional, an attorney, and someone with expertise in treating sexual violence offenses, while also mandating that the board's racial and gender composition reflect the demographics of individuals in state correctional facilities. The bill also requires the board to provide annual training on parole evaluation best practices and mandates the Department of Corrections to submit an annual report starting in 2026, including data on implementing the new parole system. This legislation directly affects individuals in state correctional facilities who may seek parole under the reestablished system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReestablishes parole board with inclusive composition (formerly incarcerated, mental health expert) to promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

signed · Maine · House May 29, 2025

LD 412: An Act To Prohibit The Sale Or Provision Of Self-Administered Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Collection Kits

LD 412 prohibits the sale, offering for sale, or provision of self-administered sexual assault forensic evidence collection kits (referred to as "covered evidence kits") to individuals. The bill does not affect the admissibility of these kits as evidence in court proceedings. Violating this prohibition would be considered a violation of the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act. This law primarily affects businesses or organizations that currently sell or distribute such kits to the public.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits public access to sexual assault evidence kits, potentially hindering victim reporting and evidence collection in criminal cases, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of restricting access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

failed · Maine · House May 28, 2025

LD 1499: An Act To Revoke The Tax-Exempt Status Of An Organization That Fails To Report Sexual Assaults Committed By Employees, Board Members, Volunteers Or Affiliates

This bill requires Maine tax-exempt organizations (like charities, religious groups, and nonprofits) to report all sexual assault allegations involving their employees, board members, volunteers, or affiliates to law enforcement. If an organization fails to report two separate, substantiated allegations within a 10-year period, Maine’s Bureau of Revenue Services must revoke its tax-exempt status. Organizations have 30 days to appeal the revocation, and may apply for reinstatement after 5 years by proving compliance with reporting rules, implementing child protection policies, and cooperating with past investigations. The law applies specifically to entities qualifying under federal tax code 501(c).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCloses tax exemption loophole for non-reporting, enforcing fiscal compliance by revoking tax status for violations85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates reporting of sexual assaults to law enforcement, enhancing accountability and victim protection within criminal justice system85% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

Track

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

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

signed · Maine · House Jul 1, 2025

LD 1427: An Act Extending The Statute Of Limitations On Criminal Actions Involving Aggravated Sex Trafficking

LD 1427 extends the statute of limitations for prosecuting aggravated sex trafficking (a Class A or B crime) from 6 years to 20 years after the crime occurs. It applies to cases committed on or after the bill's effective date or where prosecution had not yet been barred by the previous 6-year limit. This change provides victims and prosecutors with a longer timeframe to pursue justice for these serious crimes without altering statutes for other offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends prosecution window for sex trafficking victims, strengthening justice access without altering other laws. Aligns with victim protection and accountability indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

failed · Maine · House May 20, 2025

LD 1660: An Act Creating A Private Right Of Action Against A Government Employer

This bill creates a legal pathway for individuals to sue a government employer (such as a city, state agency, or county) directly when a government employee intentionally violates their constitutional rights under the U.S. or Maine Constitution. It removes common legal immunities (like sovereign or qualified immunity) that previously protected government entities, making the employer liable instead of the individual employee. Key provisions include a 3-year statute of limitations, requirements for the government to notify the employee within 10 days of a lawsuit, and rules for evaluating use-of-force claims based on the officer’s perspective at the time of the incident. Successful plaintiffs may recover attorney fees, and a court finding of constitutional violation can serve as "just cause" for terminating the employee’s contract.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates legal pathway to sue government employers for constitutional violations by employees, removing immunity and enhancing police accountability - directly aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 18: An Act To Allow The Department Of Corrections To Increase Health Care Fees And Use The Proceeds From Those Fees To Offset The Costs Of Client Medical Care Support Workers

This bill increases health care fees for inmates in Maine correctional facilities from $5 to $25 per medical/dental visit, prescription, or medical device. It directly affects incarcerated individuals who receive medical services, though exemptions apply for juveniles, pregnant people, those with serious mental illness, and others as specified. Proceeds from these fees must first be used to pay inmates working as medical support staff (e.g., assisting with hospice care or daily living activities for other inmates). The funds cannot be used for general medical costs until these support worker expenses are covered, per the bill's requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds inmate medical support roles via increased fees, promoting rehabilitation through paid work programs in correctional facilities.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill uses inmate fees to fund medical support staff, directly supporting healthcare delivery in correctional facilities while exempting vulnerable groups.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill directs fees to pay inmates working as medical support staff, explicitly funding their labor compensation within correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

signed · Maine · House Jun 17, 2025

LD 1366: An Act To Amend Certain Provisions Of The Drug Laws Related To Cocaine Base

LD 1366 amends Maine's drug laws to change penalties for cocaine base possession and importation. It raises the possession threshold for cocaine base from 4 grams to 14 grams for Class B charges (previously a Class B crime for possession over 4 grams), and removes cocaine base from the list of "schedule W drugs" that trigger enhanced penalties for prior drug offenders. The bill also modifies the Class A crime for importation by deleting the specific 32-gram threshold for cocaine base (previously a Class A crime for importing 32g or more of cocaine base). These changes directly affect individuals possessing or importing cocaine base who have prior drug convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces penalties for cocaine base possession (raises threshold from 4g to 14g) and removes enhanced penalties for prior offenses, aligning with criminal justice reform to decrease incarceration for minor drug offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 23, 2025

LD 1101: An Act To Address The Limited Availability Of Counsel In Courts To Represent Indigent Parties In Matters Affecting Their Fundamental Rights

LD 1101 improves legal representation for people who cannot afford a lawyer in Maine courts, specifically targeting cases involving fundamental rights (like criminal defense and critical civil matters). The bill requires courts to better verify and monitor indigency status, track attorney time per case, and establish a system where partially able defendants can make installment payments toward legal costs. It also creates a new process for courts to appoint qualified private attorneys when public defenders are unavailable, ensuring these attorneys receive compensation equivalent to public defenders. The changes aim to address gaps in counsel availability highlighted by a recent court ruling, focusing on concrete reimbursement procedures rather than broader systemic changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill directly enhances legal representation for indigent defendants in criminal cases, strengthening fundamental rights and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

signed · Maine · Senate Apr 19, 2026

LD 1962: An Act To Establish The Corrections Ombudsman

LD 1962 establishes an independent Office of the Corrections Ombudsman within Maine's Department of Corrections to improve transparency and address concerns in state correctional facilities. The ombudsman, appointed by the Governor with legislative confirmation, will receive and investigate complaints from incarcerated people and staff, report systemic issues to officials, and promote humane treatment standards. Key provisions include a 3-year term for the ombudsman, strict conflict-of-interest rules (e.g., no recent department employment), and funding set at 0.13%-0.16% of the department's annual budget. The office directly affects individuals in state correctional facilities (excluding county jails) and staff, providing a formal channel to resolve concerns and recommend policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes independent corrections ombudsman to investigate complaints, improve transparency, and promote humane treatment in state facilities, advancing oversight and reform within corrections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections