An Act To Protect Workers In This State By Clarifying The Relationship Of State And Local Law Enforcement Agencies With Federal Immigration Authorities
This bill prohibits Maine state and local law enforcement agencies from using public resources to investigate immigration status, detain individuals based on federal "hold requests," or share personal information about detainees. It allows detention only for specific federal immigration crimes (like re-entry after deportation) detected during unrelated law enforcement activities, requiring court orders for transfers to federal authorities. The law applies to all local police departments, sheriff's offices, and correctional facilities, and protects agencies acting in good faith compliance from legal liability. It clarifies that law enforcement cannot assist federal immigration enforcement or share facilities with immigration authorities without legal authorization.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jan 2026
Introduced May 13, 2025
Signed Jan 11, 2026
Floor votes · House Jun 18, 2025
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
34
Key actions
8
Committee
8
Jun 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. PREVAILED
upper
Jun 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED.
lower
Jun 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (H-751) READ and ADOPTED
upper
Jun 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
On motion by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED
upper
Jun 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (H-751) was READ and ADOPTED.
lower
Jun 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
On motion of Representative KUHN of Falmouth, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.
lower
Jun 16, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - OTP-AM/ONTP
legislature
May 13, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY in concurrence
upper
May 13, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY.
lower
May 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed.
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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