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Bill > LD1815
ME LD1815
ME LD1815An Act to Require a Blood Test for Drugs for Drivers Involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident That Results in Serious Bodily Injury or Death
summary
Introduced
04/29/2025
04/29/2025
In Committee
04/29/2025
04/29/2025
Crossed Over
06/12/2025
06/12/2025
Passed
Dead
06/16/2025
06/16/2025
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
This bill does the following. 1. It requires an operator of a motor vehicle to submit to a blood test for drugs when the operator is involved in an accident where there is probable cause to believe that death or serious bodily injury has occurred or will occur as a result of the accident. 2. It allows the blood test to be admissible at trial if the court reviews all available evidence, with the exception of the blood test, and the court determines that probable cause exists to believe that the operator was under the influence of THC at the time of the accident. 3. It requires that the Secretary of State suspend an operator's license for one year if the operator fails to submit to a blood test that is required under this bill. However, the bill requires that the suspension be removed if the person can show that the person was not under the influence of THC or that the person did not negligently cause the accident.
AI Summary
This bill requires drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents resulting in serious bodily injury or death to submit to a mandatory blood test to determine their THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) level or presence of other drugs. If a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe drugs were involved in the accident, the driver must complete a blood test as soon as possible. The test results can be used in court only if the judge independently finds probable cause that the driver was under the influence of drugs, based on evidence apart from the blood test. If a driver refuses to take the required blood test, the Secretary of State will automatically suspend their driver's license for one year. However, the driver can have the suspension lifted if they can prove at a hearing that they were not under the influence of drugs or did not negligently cause the accident. The bill also provides a technical definition of "THC level" as the amount of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol per milliliter of blood, which is a standard scientific measurement for detecting marijuana intoxication.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (10)
Scott Cyrway (R)*,
Donna Bailey (D),
Jim Dill (D),
Paul Flynn (R),
Annie Graham (D),
Matt Harrington (R),
Reagan Paul (R),
Chad Perkins (R),
Dan Shagoury (D),
Jim Thorne (R),
Last Action
Died Between Houses, Jun 16, 2025 (on 06/16/2025)
bill text
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1815&snum=132 |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0703&item=1&snum=132 |
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