Bill > LD831

This bill addresses the handling of vehicles when their owners are involuntarily hospitalized for psychiatric reasons. Under the new law, a vehicle will be considered abandoned if the owner or lienholder does not retrieve it and pay associated charges within 120 days of notification, specifically in cases where the owner is hospitalized under Title 34-B, Chapter 3, Subchapter 4, Article 3 (which relates to involuntary psychiatric treatment). The bill allows notification of involuntary hospitalization to come from the hospital, the vehicle owner, or another authorized individual. The Secretary of State is prohibited from issuing a new ownership letter or title until at least 120 days after notification. To protect vehicle owners, the bill caps storage charges at $600 for the first 30 days and $1,500 for each subsequent 30-day period. There is also a rebuttable presumption that the last recorded owner is responsible for the abandoned vehicle. This legislation provides a more compassionate approach to handling vehicles of individuals who are involuntarily hospitalized, giving them a longer period to reclaim their vehicle and limiting excessive storage fees.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=831&snum=132