Criminal Justice (Juvenile Justice)

signed · Maine · Senate Mar 9, 2026

LD 2126: An Act To Eliminate The Juvenile Crime Of Willful Refusal To Pay A Fine Or Comply With The Terms Of A Court Order

LD 2126 eliminates the juvenile crime of "willful refusal to pay a fine or comply with a court order" by repealing the specific law that defined it (Section 3103, subsection 1, paragraph H) in Maine's statutes. This change means juveniles in Maine will no longer face criminal charges for failing to pay fines or follow court orders. The bill also updates related provisions, including requiring evidence beyond a reasonable doubt for some juvenile offenses and setting a $1,000 maximum fine for others. As a result, this type of non-compliance will no longer be treated as a criminal matter in juvenile court.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates juvenile criminal charges for non-payment of fines, reducing criminalization of poverty. Updates standards to require beyond reasonable doubt and sets maximum fines, aligning with reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

signed · Maine · House Jan 11, 2026

LD 411: An Act To Amend The Law Governing The Disposition Of Forfeited Firearms

This bill (LD 411) changes Maine law regarding firearms seized as part of criminal cases. It requires all firearms forfeited under certain criminal sentences - including those used in murder or unlawful homicide - to be destroyed by the state, removing a previous exception that allowed third parties to claim ownership. The bill also aligns juvenile court procedures for firearm forfeiture with these updated adult sentencing rules. These changes apply to both adult criminal cases and juvenile proceedings involving firearms used in qualifying offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves third-party claim exception for forfeited firearms, preventing reuse in crimes and strengthening public safety within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Juvenile Justice Sentencing

signed · Maine · House Jun 27, 2025

LD 1849: An Act To Establish A Minimum Age At Which A Juvenile May Be Adjudicated

This bill establishes 11 as the minimum age for Maine juvenile court jurisdiction for most offenses. It defines "juvenile" as a person aged 11-18 for crimes like drug possession, underage drinking, or traffic violations involving intoxicants (as specified in sections 3103 and 3303), but excludes serious crimes like murder, felony murder, or manslaughter (which remain subject to adult prosecution regardless of age). The bill also modifies time limits for prosecuting certain juvenile offenses and clarifies that some crimes (e.g., driving under the influence) may be handled as juvenile cases only if specific conditions are met. It directly affects minors aged 11-17 who commit non-violent offenses under Maine law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes 11 as minimum age for juvenile court, excluding minor offenses from adult prosecution, aligning with reform to reduce youth incarceration and prioritize rehabilitation over criminalization.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Juvenile Justice

signed · Maine · House Jun 18, 2025

LD 42: An Act Regarding The Bind-Over And Detention Of Juveniles

LD 42 amends Maine law regarding the detention of juveniles transferred to adult court for prosecution. It allows the Department of Corrections to request that a juvenile remain in a juvenile detention facility instead of an adult jail while awaiting adult court proceedings, including during appeals of the transfer decision. The court may grant this request only for the pre-trial period (before adult proceedings begin) but not after a conviction. The department can later request to move the juvenile to an adult jail, and the court must approve that change. Juveniles turning 21 or older cannot be held in juvenile facilities under this provision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill keeps juveniles in juvenile facilities during adult court process, aligning with reform goals to avoid adult incarceration and promote rehabilitation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

failed · Maine · Senate Apr 1, 2025

LD 986: An Act To Eliminate The Crime Of Felony Murder

LD 986 eliminates the crime of felony murder in Maine by repealing the legal definition of felony murder (17-A MRSA §202) and removing all references to it from other statutes. This directly affects individuals currently charged or convicted under felony murder statutes, as it removes this specific criminal classification from the law. The bill amends multiple sections of Maine law to delete cross-references to felony murder, including in murder sentencing and juvenile court procedures. The change shifts how certain violent crimes are prosecuted, removing felony murder as a separate charge while maintaining other related offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates felony murder, a harsh sentencing doctrine, aligning with reform goals to reduce excessive penalties and protect defendants' rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Sentencing

Track

failed · Maine · House May 6, 2025

LD 535: An Act To Authorize Judicial Disposition Of A Juvenile Adjudicated Of Murder Or A Class A Crime To A Term Of Commitment Extending Beyond The Juvenile'S 21St Birthday

LD 535 allows Maine courts to commit juveniles (under age 21) convicted of murder or a Class A crime to a correctional facility for a term extending beyond their 21st birthday. The court must consider specific factors before extending the commitment, including the offense's severity, the juvenile's maturity and rehabilitation potential, prior criminal history, and victim impact. Juveniles must have legal counsel at all court reviews of their commitment. The bill also requires transferring juveniles to an adult correctional facility upon reaching age 21.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires courts to consider rehabilitation potential, maturity, and victim impact before extending juvenile commitments, aligning with reform-focused sentencing indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

Track

signed · Maine · House Apr 3, 2026

LD 1923: An Act To Repurpose Long Creek Youth Development Center And Build A Community System Of Support

LD 1923 repurposes Maine's Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland into a secure residential treatment facility for juveniles by January 1, 2027, and directs $10 million in state funds to establish community-based services. It requires the Department of Corrections to fund community programs - including mobile crisis support, behavioral health services, transitional housing, and peer mentoring - instead of youth confinement. The bill mandates monthly public reporting on juvenile justice data (by region, age, gender, race) and creates a working group with community stakeholders to plan the transition. This directly affects youth in Maine’s juvenile justice system by shifting resources from incarceration to community support services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill replaces youth confinement with community-based services ($10M funding for crisis support, behavioral health, housing), directly advancing juvenile justice reform by reducing detention and promoting rehabilitation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $10M for behavioral health services and mobile crisis support, directly funding healthcare services for juveniles.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds transitional housing as a mandated community service for juveniles, directly advancing housing access through state funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Property Development