LD 1822, the Maine Online Data Privacy Act, gives Maine residents control over their personal data collected by businesses. It requires businesses to obtain clear, specific consent before collecting personal data (prohibiting "dark patterns" like deceptive pop-ups), allows residents to access, correct, or delete their data, and bans processing of sensitive health data - including gender-affirming and reproductive health information - without explicit consent. The law directly affects Maine residents and businesses operating in the state that handle their personal data, including those collecting biometric information. Key provisions include strict definitions of terms like "consumer" (only residents, not employees acting in work roles) and "biometric data," ensuring businesses cannot use de-identified data to re-identify individuals.
LD 1444 requires mortgage lenders (mortgagees) to provide homeowners (mortgagors) with a 35-day written notice before starting a foreclosure action on a primary residence. This notice must detail the homeowner's right to cure the default by paying overdue amounts, including interest and fees, before foreclosure proceedings begin. The bill mandates that lenders prove strict compliance with this notice requirement in court; failure to do so results in dismissal of the foreclosure case and bars future foreclosure attempts on that property. The law applies retroactively to all past foreclosure judgments, orders, or dismissals in Maine. It directly affects homeowners facing foreclosure and lenders seeking to enforce mortgage defaults.
LD 916 would provide tax reductions to corporations that donate to community development financial institutions (CDFIs) focused on housing development in Maine. The tax reductions would lower the tax burden for corporations making these specific donations, incentivizing corporate investment in housing projects. This bill directly affects corporations donating to qualifying CDFIs and the CDFIs that channel funds toward housing development initiatives. The policy change aims to increase funding for housing by making corporate donations more financially attractive.
LD 882 adds critical incident stress management peer support to the legal definition of "health care" in Maine law, protecting communications between these providers and people they assist. The bill designates peer support providers as mandatory reporters for suspected child abuse or neglect, requiring them to report such cases under state law. It establishes a legal privilege preventing these providers from being forced to testify about confidential communications during peer support sessions, except when a person's physical or mental condition is in question or a court deems disclosure necessary for justice. This protects the confidentiality of sensitive support conversations while ensuring child safety reporting obligations are met.
This bill (LD 484) is a concept draft under Joint Rule 208, proposing to update laws governing Maine's Department of Public Safety. It does not specify concrete policy changes, mechanisms, or affected groups, as it is merely a placeholder draft at the concept stage. The bill's summary explicitly states it "proposes to update the laws regarding the Department of Public Safety" without detailing any specific provisions. Since no operational text or substantive changes are provided in the context, this is not a bill with actionable policy elements.
This Maine legislative bill is a concept draft that proposes to make supplemental appropriations and allocations from the state's General Fund and other funds for fiscal years ending June 30, 2026, and June 30, 2027. It also includes changes to existing laws deemed necessary for the proper operation of state government. The bill was submitted by the Governor as emergency legislation under Maine Revised Statutes Title 5. Specific financial details and legal amendments are referenced in separate documents provided by the Governor rather than detailed within this text.
Maine's LD 2217 requires the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to allow electronic registration for deer starting in 2027, replacing the current physical tagging process. The bill eliminates the $5 seal fee that hunters previously paid to register bears, deer, moose, and wild turkeys, while redirecting specific portions of deer registration and antlerless deer permit fees toward landowner-deer conflict management and predator control. It updates existing state statutes to clarify that electronic methods may satisfy traditional tagging requirements and adjusts the rules for how long unregistered game animals can be kept before processing.
This bill repeals Maine's 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases, directly affecting firearm sellers and buyers in the state. It eliminates the requirement that sellers must wait 72 hours before delivering a purchased firearm to the buyer. The key provision is the removal of this waiting period, which was previously mandated under 25 MRSA §2016. This change would allow immediate firearm transfers following a purchase transaction. The bill specifically targets the procedural delay in firearm sales without altering other gun safety requirements.
LD 1457 authorizes the Maine Turnpike Authority to test automated speed detection systems in highway work zones on limited access state highways with speed limits of 45 mph or higher. The pilot program, running from 2026 to 2028, would use camera systems to capture license plates of vehicles exceeding speed limits by 11 mph or more, but only after posting clear advance signage and publicly listing locations online. Drivers would receive a written warning for a first violation in a work zone, with subsequent violations subject to fines via mail notice (similar to standard traffic citations). The program is limited to three locations at a time and prohibits using recorded images for surveillance beyond speeding detection.
LD 1821 requires licensed firearm dealers in Maine to implement specific security measures by July 1, 2026, including certified alarm systems, reinforced doors/windows, and 2-year video recording of all sales areas. It mandates background checks for all employees handling firearms and requires dealers to provide annual training developed by the Department of Public Safety on recognizing straw purchases, illegal activity, theft prevention, and gun safety education. The training must cover federal/state firearm laws, identifying suspicious transactions, and safe storage practices. This bill directly affects all licensed firearm dealers operating in Maine, aiming to reduce illegal sales and theft through standardized security and employee protocols.
This bill reorganizes the supervision of the Maine Capitol Police by placing them under the direct authority of the Bureau of State Police rather than the Department of Public Safety. It creates a new permanent Lieutenant position within the State Police to oversee Capitol Police operations and updates legal language to clarify this chain of command. The legislation also grants the Commissioner of Public Safety expanded authority to set security rules at state facilities in Augusta while requiring consultation with the State Police Chief and maintaining the Legislative Council's ability to suspend rules during emergencies. These changes aim to streamline security oversight without altering the core responsibilities of the Capitol Police force.
This bill updates Maine laws to improve carbon monoxide detector requirements for new buildings and educational facilities. It mandates that new construction of homes, hotels, and dormitories built on or after August 1, 2012 must have detectors in each bedroom and access areas, with an additional requirement starting January 1, 2027, to follow national fire safety codes for other occupancy types. The law also changes how educational facilities must install detectors, requiring compliance with national safety codes rather than just a minimum of one unit, and clarifies which officials can enforce these rules. All detectors must be powered by both electricity and a battery, or use specific alternative battery options depending on the device type.
