Technology

Maine LD 2211 amends the state's automotive right to repair law by establishing a twelve-member Motor Vehicle Right to Repair Commission to monitor manufacturer compliance and handle complaints. The bill requires vehicle manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair shops with the same diagnostic tools, software, and data access that authorized dealers receive, covering vehicles from model year 2002 onward. It mandates that manufacturers equip new vehicles with standardized owner-authorization platforms by September 1, 2027, allowing secure data transfer for repairs without requiring direct manufacturer approval. Enforcement is handled by the Attorney General, who may seek civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, while affected owners or repair facilities can sue for treble damages if access is denied.

This bill creates a legal framework allowing survivors of abuse to request the immediate disabling of connected vehicle services for vehicles involved in their situation. It defines abuse broadly to include domestic violence, stalking, and trafficking without requiring a criminal conviction, and applies to motor vehicle manufacturers and service providers. When a survivor submits a request, providers must terminate or disable the abuser's access within two business days and cannot charge fees or require additional conditions to comply. The law also prevents abusers from accessing any data generated after their service is disabled and informs survivors about in-vehicle options to disconnect services themselves.

This bill directs the Maine Secretary of State to create rules by January 15, 2027, that allow individuals to be licensed as providers of online driver education courses. The legislation affects the state's regulatory framework for driver training by establishing a formal process for approving online education services. Once the rules are adopted, licensed providers will be able to offer driver education classes through digital platforms to students in Maine. The bill does not change existing requirements for driver education content or testing, but rather adds a new category of licensed providers to the system.

This bill updates Maine state laws to modernize terminology and procedures related to information technology and cybersecurity. It directly affects state agencies, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, and the Chief Information Officer by clarifying how technology purchases and security measures should be handled. Key changes include adjusting procurement thresholds for IT spending, defining cybersecurity terms more precisely, and expanding the Chief Information Officer's authority to approve technology acquisitions and oversee security training for state employees. The legislation also establishes clearer rules for purchasing cybersecurity services and using federal government procurement options when beneficial to the state.

This bill establishes rules for how artificial intelligence can be used by licensed mental health professionals in Maine to support therapy and psychotherapy services. It specifically allows AI to handle administrative tasks like scheduling and billing, as well as supplementary tasks such as maintaining client records and analyzing anonymized data, while explicitly prohibiting AI from engaging in therapeutic communication with clients. The legislation requires that any use of AI for these purposes must be based on clear, explicit consent from clients, which cannot be obtained through broad terms of service or passive actions like clicking a button. The law defines which mental health professionals are covered, including psychologists, social workers, counselors, and psychiatrists, and places oversight under the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.

This bill requires hospitals in Maine to create and submit an annual cybersecurity plan to the Department of Health and Human Services. The plan must outline procedures for notifying authorities and patients of security breaches, maintaining patient care during incidents, and providing cybersecurity training for staff and board members. Additionally, the bill adds cybersecurity intrusions that affect patient access to medical care to the list of sentinel events, which are serious incidents that must be reported. Hospitals must also conduct annual tests of their cybersecurity plans to ensure they work effectively.

This bill amends Maine laws to strengthen background check requirements for fantasy contest operators and their associated personnel. It requires the Department of Public Safety to conduct criminal history record checks using both state and federal databases for initial license applicants and those who have control over the licensee. The legislation defines "control" to include corporate parents, subsidiaries, major shareholders, and key personnel who can influence business decisions. Applicants must provide fingerprints for background checks, and all criminal history information obtained remains confidential for official licensing purposes only.

This Maine bill prohibits artificial intelligence chatbots and social AI companions with human-like features from being accessible to minors under 18. It requires companies operating these systems to implement age verification measures and prevent children from interacting with AI that simulates human emotions, desires, or relationships. The law applies to any AI system that claims to be sentient, expresses emotions, attempts to build emotional attachments, or impersonates real people. Companies doing business in Maine or marketing to Maine residents must comply, while users and minors residing in the state are protected from exposure to these features.

This emergency bill prohibits school and college officials from voluntarily allowing immigration enforcement officers to enter private areas or access student records without a judicial warrant. It directly affects public schools, state postsecondary institutions, and their staff by restricting cooperation with immigration enforcement while still permitting the exchange of citizenship information with federal authorities. The law allows exceptions for valid court warrants or urgent circumstances but otherwise blocks non-judicial access to student data and private spaces. This measure aims to protect educational environments from immigration enforcement activities while maintaining legal compliance with federal information-sharing requirements.

This bill creates a new Office of Information Privacy within the Department of the Secretary of State to protect the home addresses of judges, elected officials, and other public servants from public records. It allows authorized individuals, such as federal marshals or family members, to request that these officials' home addresses be removed from designated public documents and online resources. The law establishes a secure online system for submitting and managing these redaction requests while defining who qualifies as a covered person and who can act on their behalf. This change aims to enhance personal safety by limiting public access to sensitive location information for government officials and their immediate families.