Rep. Steve Bishop

Maddy summaryLD 172 requires the Maine State Police to create and maintain a publicly accessible website listing all open missing person cases in Maine. For each case, the website must include a summary of details, a photograph of the missing person, and contact information for the investigating agency. This bill directly affects the Maine State Police, mandating they establish and manage this centralized resource, and benefits the public by providing a single, transparent source for missing persons information. The law aims to improve access to case details for families, law enforcement, and the public without changing existing procedures for handling missing persons reports.

Maddy summaryLD 1877 increases penalties for human trafficking offenses in Maine, specifically targeting aggravated sex trafficking (involving minors under 14) and standard sex trafficking (promoting prostitution). It raises minimum prison sentences to 20 years for aggravated trafficking and 4 years for standard trafficking, with higher terms for repeat offenders (up to 20 years). The bill also imposes enhanced minimum sentences of 7-23 years for violations near schools, shelters, youth facilities, and other protected locations. Additionally, it increases mandatory assessments (fines) for trafficking convictions, ranging from $1,000 to $6,000, which fund the Victims' Compensation Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill, LD 529 "An Act Regarding Dams," is currently a concept draft (per Joint Rule 208) proposing amendments to Maine's existing dam laws. The provided context does not include specific provisions, affected parties, or policy mechanisms, as it only identifies the bill's purpose and status. Without detailed text or summary of the proposed changes, concrete details about who would be impacted or how the law would change cannot be determined. A full summary would require access to the bill's actual legislative text or a completed summary document.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Maddy summaryLD 531 is a concept draft proposing to amend Maine's laws governing dam ownership. It would change the legal framework for who can own dams, though specific provisions are not detailed in this early-stage draft. The bill would directly affect current dam owners, operators, and state agencies responsible for dam safety oversight. As a concept draft under Joint Rule 208, this bill requires further development before becoming law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Maine State Ferry Service to dock a vehicle-carrying ferry overnight in the towns of Swan's Island, Vinalhaven, North Haven, and Islesboro. The mandate ensures ferries are available for immediate emergency use, including medical response, fire services, law enforcement, and mass evacuation. The policy directly affects ferry operations on these islands by changing their overnight docking schedule to prioritize emergency access.

Maddy summaryLD 1930 defines "unborn child" as the offspring from conception until birth for certain criminal laws in Maine. It specifies that the terms "person" and "human being" in murder, manslaughter, and assault statutes include an unborn child, meaning violence harming a fetus during pregnancy could be prosecuted under these laws. The bill includes exceptions for acts committed by the mother, lawful medical procedures performed at the mother's request, or the administration of prescribed medication. This directly affects cases involving violence against pregnant people where fetal harm occurs, expanding criminal liability for such acts under existing statutes.

Maddy summaryLD 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.

Maddy summaryLD 1676 establishes a commission to study how to improve recruitment and retention of rural emergency medical services (EMS) personnel by addressing health insurance access. The commission, including EMS workers from different-sized communities, state associations, and government representatives, will examine solutions related to health insurance coverage for rural EMS staff. It must submit findings and recommendations to the Criminal Justice Committee by December 3, 2025, potentially leading to future legislation. This resolve does not change current law but sets up a formal study focused on a specific barrier faced by rural EMS providers. The direct impact is on rural EMS personnel, both paid and volunteer, who often lack affordable health insurance options.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts qualifying Maine organizations - such as agricultural societies, nonprofits, volunteer fire departments, and their auxiliaries - from requiring registration or licensing with the Gambling Control Unit when conducting internet raffles with total prize values of $2,500 or less. It applies specifically to raffles where the combined value of all prizes (including multiple winning chances) does not exceed $2,500. The exemption does not apply to raffles targeting minors, and organizations must still comply with restrictions like prohibiting sales to under-18s and limiting simultaneous raffles to one. This change simplifies administrative requirements for small-scale fundraising by eligible groups.