Bill > LD259

This bill establishes the Criminal Records Review Commission, a new state entity tasked with continuously examining laws, rules, and procedures related to criminal history record information, which refers to details about an individual's past arrests and convictions. The commission will be composed of a diverse group of members, including legislators from both the Senate and House of Representatives, state department heads such as the Attorney General and Commissioners of Health and Human Services, Public Safety, and Corrections, as well as representatives from various organizations including those focused on civil rights, legal aid, poverty, domestic violence, substance use disorder treatment, prisoners' rights, the press, sheriffs, police chiefs, broadcasting, sexual assault advocacy, low-income legal assistance, mental health advocacy, civil liberties, sexual exploitation and sex trafficking, juvenile justice reform, and public records access. The commission will review how criminal history information is collected, maintained, and shared, the criteria for sealing such records, public access to them, and the process for vacating them. It will then submit annual findings and recommendations for legislative changes and can also advise relevant state departments and judicial committees. The bill also appropriates funds for the expenses of legislators serving on the commission and sets an effective date of January 1, 2026.

Justice

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=259&snum=132