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Bill > LD1919

ME LD1919

ME LD1919
An Act to Expand the Types of Convictions Eligible for Sealing Through a Post-judgment Motion to Seal Criminal History Record Information

summary

Introduced
05/06/2025
In Committee
05/21/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

132nd Legislature

Bill Summary

This bill is reported out by the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary to implement statutory changes recommended by the Criminal Records Review Committee established in Resolve 2023, chapter 103. The joint standing committee has not taken a position on the substance of this bill. By reporting this bill out, the joint standing committee is not suggesting and does not intend to suggest that it agrees or disagrees with any aspect of this bill; instead, the joint standing committee is reporting the bill out for the sole purpose of having a bill printed that can be referred to the joint standing committee for an appropriate public hearing and subsequent processing in the normal course. The joint standing committee is taking this action to ensure clarity and transparency in the legislative review of the proposals contained in the bill. This bill implements several recommendations of the Criminal Records Review Committee. The bill amends the laws governing the filing of post-judgment motions to seal criminal history information by: 1. Allowing the sealing of criminal history record information related to convictions for unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, regardless of the class of the offenses; 2. Allowing the sealing of criminal history record information related to convictions for any violation of the criminal laws governing drugs, except a conviction for the Class A crime of aggravated trafficking or any conviction for a crime that involved the use of a firearm; 3. Allowing the sealing of convictions for all current and former Class D crimes, except specifically enumerated crimes involving violence; and 4. Clarifying that a person may file a motion to seal the criminal history record information for more than one criminal conviction as long as the person satisfies the statutory prerequisites for each conviction to be sealed.

AI Summary

This bill expands the types of criminal convictions that can be sealed through a post-judgment motion, making it easier for individuals to have certain criminal records hidden from public view. Specifically, the bill allows for sealing criminal history records for unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (regardless of drug type or offense class), most drug-related convictions (with exceptions for aggravated trafficking and firearm-related offenses), and most current and former Class D crimes (with numerous specific exclusions related to domestic violence, crimes against family members, stalking, animal cruelty, and violations of protective orders). The bill clarifies that a person can now file a motion to seal multiple criminal convictions as long as each individual conviction meets the statutory requirements for sealing. This legislative change is based on recommendations from the Criminal Records Review Committee and aims to provide individuals with a pathway to potentially mitigate the long-term consequences of certain criminal records by limiting their public visibility. The modifications are technical in nature, adjusting existing language to broaden the scope of eligible convictions while maintaining important public safety restrictions.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (0)

No sponsors listed

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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