Bill > LD1484

This bill modifies existing laws in Maine regarding the confidentiality of public employee disciplinary records by narrowing the circumstances under which disciplinary actions become public. Specifically, the bill changes provisions in state law to ensure that only disciplinary actions resulting in a financial disadvantage—such as termination, demotion, or suspension without pay—will be publicly accessible. Under the current law, all final written decisions related to disciplinary actions could potentially become public, but this bill limits disclosure to more serious disciplinary actions that have a direct financial impact on the employee. The bill amends three different sections of Maine state law (5 MRSA §7070, 30-A MRSA §503, and 30-A MRSA §2702) to implement this change. If a disciplinary action is taken that does not result in a financial disadvantage, the records will remain confidential. Additionally, the bill maintains existing provisions that protect employee privacy, such as redacting names from public documents and allowing the full document to become public if the employee voluntarily discloses their identity.

Justice

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1484&snum=132