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LD 332

An Act To Establish Mandatory Minimum Sentences For Gross Sexual Assaults Against Children And Aggravated Sex Trafficking Of Children

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bruce Bickford and 9 co-sponsors

Would impose a 25-year minimum for gross sexual assault of a child under 12 and for aggravated sex trafficking of a child, but the bill died without funding.

Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
#crimes #punishmentandprobation #sexoffenses
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Bill Summary · LD 332

Summary: LD 332 — An Act To Establish Mandatory Minimum Sentences For Gross Sexual Assaults Against Children And Aggravated Sex Trafficking Of Children

Overview

LD 332 sought to establish mandatory minimum sentences for severe offenses involving sexual harm to children. Specifically, the bill proposed a 25-year minimum sentence for certain offenses against individuals under age 12, including repeat offenses, and for aggravated sex trafficking where the defendant knowingly promotes prostitution of a child under 12. The bill was introduced in the 132nd Maine Legislature (January 30, 2025) and was ultimately placed in Legislative Files as DEAD.

Key Provisions

  • Mandatory minimums set at 25 years:
    • Gross sexual assault of an individual not yet 12 years old.
    • Gross sexual assault of a repeat offender where the victim is under 12.
    • Aggravated sex trafficking in which the defendant knowingly promotes prostitution of a person under 12.
  • No funding was provided in the bill for the higher incarceration costs, but the fiscal notes estimate the current average annual cost to incarcerate a single inmate at $55,203.
  • The bill would not specify additional programmatic or preventative measures beyond the mandatory sentencing framework in its current form (based on the fiscal notes).

Who Would Be Affected

  • Primary impact: Individuals convicted of gross sexual assault against children under age 12 (including repeat offenses) and individuals convicted of aggravated sex trafficking involving a child under 12.
  • Indirect impacts: State correctional facilities and judicial systems would bear longer incarceration durations for affected offenders; no new General Fund funding was included to cover anticipated costs.

Fiscal Implications

  • Fiscal notes (LR 1861(01) and LR 1861(02)) indicate a current biennium cost increase to the General Fund due to longer incarceration periods.
  • Specific fiscal impact is uncertain because the number of affected offenders and the resulting custody durations are unknown.
  • The statewide per-inmate annual cost cited: $55,203.
  • The bill did not include funding or appropriations to cover potential cost increases.

Legislative History and Status

  • Sponsor: Rep. Greenwood of Wales; Committee: Judiciary.
  • Timeline:
    • 01/30/2025: Referred to Judiciary.
    • 03/18/2025: Work session held; tabled.
    • 03/21/2025: Carried over to the next special or regular session.
    • 05/13/2025: Work session; divided report.
    • 06/03/2025: Reported Out – ONTP/OTP-AM.
    • 06/04/2025: Majority Ought Not to Pass Report accepted; sent for concurrence.
    • 06/05/2025: Reports read; on motion, Majority Ought Not to Pass Report accepted in concurrence; Roll Call 18-14; LD 332 placed in Legislative Files (DEAD).
  • Status: Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD); no further action in the session.

Procedural and Timing Notes

  • No effective date or sunset/phase-in period is specified in the available material.
  • With the dead status, any future consideration would require new proposal or reintroduction in a subsequent session.

Bottom Line

LD 332 targeted significantly higher penalties for particularly harmful crimes against children and for aggravated child sex trafficking, introducing a 25-year minimum sentence for specified offenses. While the intent is to increase deterrence and punishment for offenses involving very young victims, the bill did not advance and was left without funding or enacted provisions in the current session.

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

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