Bill > LD589

Introduced Session

This bill does the following. 1. It exempts claims based upon a sexual act toward a minor from Maine Tort Claims Act provisions on required notice to a governmental entity and time limitations. 2. It revives for a period of 2 years, beginning 6 months after the effective date of this legislation, any civil claim or cause of action based upon a sexual act toward a minor that was barred because of the period of limitation or because of failure to timely file notice of claim. 3. It requires the clerk of the Superior Court in assigning cases based upon sexual acts toward minors for trial to give priority to any action revived pursuant to this legislation. 4. It requires the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court to provide training for justices and judges with respect to crimes involving a sexual act toward a minor and civil actions based upon a sexual act toward a minor. 5. It provides that, in an action based upon a sexual act toward a minor that was barred by operation of the statute of limitations prior to the effective date of this legislation and that is revived pursuant to this legislation, damages may be awarded against an entity that employed, supervised or had responsibility for the person who committed or allegedly committed the sexual act only if there is a finding of negligence on the part of the entity.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Lori Gramlich (D)*,  Donna Bailey (D),  Anne Carney (D),  Ryan Fecteau (D),  Thomas Harnett (D),  Troy Jackson (D),  Lois Reckitt (D), 

PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence. (on 06/17/2021)

Official Document