Criminal Justice

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 648: An Act To Expand The Supervised Community Confinement Program

LD 648 expands Maine's Supervised Community Confinement Program by creating a new eligibility pathway for certain long-term prisoners. It allows prisoners who committed their crime before age 26, have served at least 15 years of a 15+ year sentence, and maintained a medium, medium trustee, or minimum custody status for the past 5 years to qualify without meeting standard program requirements. This change directly affects inmates meeting all four criteria: age at crime, sentence length served, and consistent custody classification. The bill modifies eligibility under Maine law (34-A MRSA §3036-A) to provide an alternative path to supervised community confinement for qualifying individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands community confinement for eligible inmates, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through alternative sentencing pathways95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 340: An Act Regarding Speedy Trials

LD 340 establishes new time limits for criminal trials in Maine, requiring trials to begin within specific periods after arraignment based on the severity of the charges. For Class A crimes (like murder), trials must start within 24 months by 2027, tightening to 9 months by 2031. Less serious charges (Class D/E) have deadlines shrinking from 12 to 6 months over the same period. The bill directly affects defendants facing criminal charges in Maine courts, with time limits calculated from arraignment and excluding certain delays like mental evaluations or transportation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSets stricter time limits for trials to prevent delays, protecting defendants' right to speedy trial - a key criminal justice reform principle.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1009: An Act To Restore Full Civil Rights To Possess Firearms To Persons Previously Convicted Of Certain Nonviolent Felony Crimes

This bill amends Maine law to allow people previously convicted of certain nonviolent felonies to restore their right to possess firearms through the existing process under Title 15, section 396. It specifically removes convictions for nonviolent felonies (excluding those involving firearm use or serious bodily injury) from the list of offenses that automatically prohibit firearm possession. The change affects individuals with past convictions for crimes like drug offenses or property crimes that don't involve violence or weapons. It modifies the statute to clarify that such individuals can regain firearm rights once their civil rights are restored, without requiring new legislative action for each case. The bill does not automatically restore rights but streamlines the process for qualifying individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores firearm rights for nonviolent felons, advancing civil rights and reintegration - core criminal justice reform aligned with reducing unnecessary barriers post-conviction.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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signed · Maine · House Apr 15, 2026

LD 338: An Act To Increase The Size And Balance Of Jury Pools

This bill expands Maine's jury pool sources by adding registered voters, people who receive state income tax forms, and recipients of public assistance and unemployment benefits to the list of potential jurors. Currently, jury lists are drawn primarily from driver's license records, but this bill broadens the pool to include these four new categories. The goal is to increase the size and diversity of jury pools statewide by incorporating more community members. The bill does not alter how individual jurors are selected from the expanded pool.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands jury pool diversity by including new demographics, enhancing court representation and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of equitable participation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Maine · House Jan 11, 2026

LD 1784: An Act To Require Police Departments To Publish And Make Accessible Their Policies And Procedures And Require Training Of Officers

LD 1784 requires all Maine police departments (including state police, sheriff's offices, and municipal forces) to publish their policies and procedures online by January 1, 2026, in clear language accessible without fees or passwords. The bill mandates posting summaries of key policies (like use-of-force and de-escalation), a full list of officer conduct rules, and contact information for public requests. It also requires departments to provide printed copies upon request within 7 business days and update policies online within 60 days of any revision. Additionally, the bill requires all officers to receive training on these published policies and annual certification of compliance from agency leaders to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires public policy transparency and officer training, enhancing police accountability - a core criminal justice reform measure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Maine · House Jan 11, 2026

LD 1749: Resolve, Directing The Department Of Corrections To Study Achieving Gender Equality

Maine's LD 1749 directs the Department of Corrections to study gender inequality in its programs, services, facilities, and policies. The study must examine current gender disparities and identify potential solutions, such as facility redesign or resource reallocation, by December 3, 2025. The Department of Corrections must report findings to the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, which may propose new legislation based on the results. This bill does not enact new policy but mandates a review to inform future decisions. The study specifically affects correctional programs and operations managed by the Department of Corrections.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirects study of gender disparities in corrections to identify solutions, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of equity and inclusion.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal 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 | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Maine · House Jan 11, 2026

LD 1126: An Act Requiring Serial Numbers On Firearms And Prohibiting Undetectable Firearms

LD 1126 requires firearms dealers in Maine to permanently mark all firearms they sell with unique serial numbers. It also bans the manufacture, sale, possession, or transfer of "undetectable firearms" (defined as weapons undetectable by standard security scanners under federal law). Violations carry criminal penalties, with stricter charges for possessing such weapons near schools, courthouses, polling places, or government buildings. The law applies directly to firearms dealers and anyone handling undetectable firearms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires firearm serialization and bans undetectable weapons, aiding law enforcement in crime prevention and investigations. Supports law enforcement aspect of criminal justice.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Maine · House Jul 7, 2025

LD 1189: An Act To Prohibit Arrest And Detention For Civil Violations And Require An Attorney For The State To Determine Whether To Charge A Class E Offense As A Civil Violation

This bill prohibits arresting or detaining people for civil violations, such as minor offenses like traffic tickets or code violations. It requires state attorneys to decide whether to charge certain minor criminal offenses (Class E crimes ineligible for probation) as civil violations instead, considering factors like the offense severity, victim impact, and prior records. If charged as a civil violation, penalties are limited to $1,000, and this decision cannot be challenged in court. The bill directly affects individuals facing minor charges and state attorneys who will make these charging decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits criminal charges for minor civil violations (e.g., traffic tickets), reducing overcriminalization and aligning with reform goals like limiting arrests and protecting civil rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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 | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice