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ME LD884

ME LD884
Resolve, to Establish the Criminal Justice Legal Aid Clinic Pilot Project at the University of Maine School of Law


summary

Introduced
03/04/2025
In Committee
03/04/2025
Crossed Over
04/22/2025
Passed
04/23/2025
Dead

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
132nd Legislature

Bill Summary

This resolve requires the University of Maine System to establish within the University of Maine School of Law a criminal justice legal aid clinic 3-year pilot project and provides one-time funding for that purpose. The resolve also requires the University of Maine System to submit interim and final reports to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters, judiciary maters and appropriations and financial affairs on the criminal justice legal aid clinic pilot project.

AI Summary

This bill requires the University of Maine System to establish a 3-year criminal justice legal aid clinic pilot project within the University of Maine School of Law. The pilot project aims to provide legal assistance to clients through student attorneys, offering practical legal experience for law students while serving the community. The University of Maine System is mandated to submit two comprehensive reports: an interim report by January 15, 2027, and a final report by November 6, 2028, to legislative committees overseeing education, judiciary, and appropriations. These reports must detail the number of clients served, student attorney participation, challenges encountered, and recommendations for the future of the clinic. To support the initiative, the bill allocates a one-time funding of $1,000,000 from the General Fund for the 2025-26 fiscal year, with the goal of creating a sustainable legal aid resource that can potentially be integrated into the existing clinical programs at the law school.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (10)

Last Action

CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800. (on 06/25/2025)

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