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LD 1856

An Act Directing The Maine Commission On Public Defense Services To Assist Persons Filing Post-Judgment Motions To Seal Criminal History Record Information

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Amy Kuhn

LD 1856 would require the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services to help people filing post-judgment motions to seal their criminal history records.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
#criminalhistories #criminalhistoryrecords #sealing
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Bill Summary · LD 1856

Summary of LD 1856 — An Act Directing The Maine Commission On Public Defense Services To Assist Persons Filing Post-Judgment Motions To Seal Criminal History Record Information

Overview

LD 1856 would require the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services to assist individuals who are filing post-judgment motions to seal their criminal history record information (CHRI). The bill is currently listed as DEAD (pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3, placed in legislative files), and did not advance in the 2025 legislative session.

Purpose and Intent

  • To expand access to legal assistance for people seeking to seal CHRI by directing the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services to provide assistance to those filing post-judgment motions.
  • The underlying goal appears to be improving the ability of individuals with criminal histories to pursue sealing relief, potentially reducing barriers to obtaining relief through post-judgment motions.

Key Provisions

  • Direct the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services to assist persons who are filing post-judgment motions to seal criminal history record information.
  • The bill’s language, as provided, centers on mandating or directing public defense services to provide this assistance; other specifics (scope, methods of assistance, funding, timelines) are not included in the available summary.

Affected Parties

  • Individuals seeking to seal criminal history record information (CHRI) after a judgment.
  • The Maine Commission on Public Defense Services (as the entity tasked with providing assistance).
  • The courts and prosecutorial systems involved in CHRI sealing motions, which would interact with the assistance provided by the public defense commission.

Procedural History and Status

  • Apr 30, 2025: Introduced and REFERRED to the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary; printed; Report READ and ACCEPTED in concurrence.
  • Apr 30, 2025: Sent for concurrence; ordered sent forthwith.
  • Apr 30, 2025: Referred to Committee on Judiciary (in concurrence).
  • May 22, 2025: Work session held; Voted ONTP (Ought Not to Pass); Report ONTP.
  • Jun 4, 2025: Reported Out - ONTP.
  • Jun 5, 2025: Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3, Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD).
  • Current status: DEAD; no further action expected in this session unless reintroduced.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Positive potential: Improved access to legal assistance for sealing CHRI could facilitate more efficient and effective post-judgment sealing motions, particularly for individuals who may lack resources to obtain counsel.
  • Operational considerations: If enacted in the future, implementing this assistance would require clarity on funding, staffing, scope of services, eligibility, and coordination with the judiciary and other state agencies.
  • Impact scope: The provision focuses on post-judgment motions to seal CHRI; it does not specify broader reform of sealing procedures or timelines beyond directing public defense services to assist.

Next Steps

  • If policymakers wish to pursue this goal again, a reintroduction in a future session could refine the scope, funding, and implementation details, and address any concerns raised during the 2025 process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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