Criminal Justice (Policing)

LD 1187 requires Maine law enforcement agencies to include two specific mental health data points in their Uniform Crime Reports: (1) the number of mental health referrals made under Maine’s extreme risk protection order statutes (Title 34-B, section 3862-A), and (2) the number of individuals who received services from those referrals. This policy change directly affects all law enforcement agencies submitting crime data to the Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of State Police. The bill amends existing law to add these metrics as a required category within the uniform crime reporting system. It does not change mental health services or law enforcement procedures but mandates new data collection for transparency. The requirement applies to all agencies currently submitting Uniform Crime Reports under Maine law.

This bill allocates $315,788 for the 2025-26 fiscal year and $325,477 for 2026-27 to fund four Maine State Trooper positions and related operational costs for rural patrols in Washington County. The funding comes from the General Fund and Highway Fund to address reduced patrol coverage by the Maine State Police. It directly affects Washington County residents by restoring law enforcement presence in rural areas and the Maine State Police by providing resources for deployment. The bill is enacted as an emergency to take effect immediately, avoiding the standard 90-day delay.

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.