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LD 1129

An Act To Clarify Standards For Defendants' Post-Judgment Motions For Relief From Protection From Abuse Orders

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kristen Cloutier and 6 co-sponsors

Clarifies court standards and procedures for defendants seeking post-judgment relief from protection-from-abuse orders, affecting filing, evaluation, and relief outcomes.

Signed by Governor
#abuse #post-judgmentmotions #protectionfromabuse
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Bill Summary · LD 1129

Summary — LD 1129 (132nd Maine Legislature)

Title: An Act To Clarify Standards For Defendants' Post‑Judgment Motions For Relief From Protection From Abuse Orders
Sponsor: Rep. Kuhn (Falmouth) · Committee: Judiciary
Status: Signed by Governor (May 30, 2025) · Introduced: March 18, 2025

Purpose

LD 1129 is intended to clarify the legal standards and procedures that apply when a person subject to a protection from abuse (PFA) order files a post‑judgment motion seeking relief from that order. The bill focuses on how courts should evaluate and process such motions after a PFA has been entered.

Key provisions (general description)

The enacted text itself is not included here, but from the bill title and legislative record the measure does the following:
- Clarifies the standards courts use to consider defendants’ post‑judgment motions to vacate, modify, or otherwise obtain relief from protection from abuse orders.
- Makes procedural or evidentiary clarifications to how such motions are filed, evaluated, and decided (for example, which legal tests or burdens apply), as reflected by the Judiciary Committee’s work and adoption of Committee Amendment “A” (H‑245).
- The final enacted form was the bill as amended by Committee Amendment “A” (H‑245).

Note: The summary above describes the bill’s focus in plain terms; for precise statutory language (e.g., specific criteria, burdens of proof, deadlines, or required supporting documentation), consult the enacted bill text or the revised statute.

Who is affected

  • Defendants/respondents currently subject to protection from abuse orders who seek post‑judgment relief.
  • Petitioners/victims may be affected indirectly because changes to standards or procedures can affect how and when orders are continued, modified, or dismissed.
  • The Judicial Branch and court staff, to the extent procedural changes alter workload or case processing.

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • Initial fiscal note (03/27/25): No fiscal impact.
  • Subsequent fiscal notes for the amended bill (04/17/25 and 05/22/25): Minor cost decrease to the General Fund and minor reduction in General Fund revenue. Explanation: the bill may reduce the number of civil suits filed (post‑judgment filings), producing a small reduction in court workload and associated administrative costs, and a small drop in filing‑fee revenue.

Legislative history & timeline (selected)

  • 2025‑03‑18: Referred to Judiciary; printed and suggested.
  • 2025‑04‑08: Work session; committee voted OTP‑AM (recommended to pass as amended).
  • 2025‑05‑21 to 05‑22: Passed in both chambers in concurrence; Committee Amendment “A” (H‑245) adopted.
  • 2025‑05‑27: Final legislative passage; enrolled and sent to Governor.
  • 2025‑05‑30: Signed by the Governor.

Notes / Next steps

  • For exact legal effects (what standards were changed and the precise statutory wording), read the final enrolled bill or the updated statute in Maine Revised Statutes after enactment.
  • Check the bill’s effective date in the enrolled law text; implementation and procedural change timing depend on that date.

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

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