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LD 779

An Act To Fund The Aroostook County Drug Treatment Court

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Anne Carney and 1 co-sponsor

LD 779 funds a one-time setup for a Aroostook County Drug Treatment Court, including a temporary prosecutor, defense counsel, and pretrial services for FY 2026-27.

Signed by Governor
#aroostookfunding #courts #drugcourt
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Bill Summary · LD 779

Summary — LD 779: An Act To Fund The Aroostook County Drug Treatment Court

Status: Signed by Governor (July 1, 2025)
Introduced: March 4, 2025
Committee: Judiciary — Enacted with Committee Amendment “A” (S‑258)

Purpose

LD 779 provides one-time funding to establish and staff a Drug Treatment Court (DTC) in Aroostook County, Maine, by financing a temporary prosecutor position, defense representation, and contracted pretrial services required for the court.

Key provisions

  • One-time appropriations in FY 2026‑27:
    • General Fund — $140,500 to the Office of the Attorney General to create one limited‑period Assistant District Attorney position dedicated to the Aroostook County DTC.
    • General Fund — $39,000 to the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services to provide legal representation services for the Aroostook County DTC.
    • Other Special Revenue Funds — $561,283 to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Behavioral Health, to contract with an entity to provide the required pretrial services for the Aroostook County DTC.
  • Funding source and transfers:
    • The $561,283 allocation is funded via a transfer from DHHS’s Opioid Use Disorder Prevention and Treatment Fund (Other Special Revenue Funds) to the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services account.
    • A transfer from the Opioid Use Disorder Prevention and Treatment Fund to the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund offsets the $179,500 General Fund appropriations (the $140,500 + $39,000), resulting in no net General Fund cost.
  • All funding and positions are described as one‑time/limited‑period (FY 2026‑27).

Fiscal impact (per fiscal notes)

  • Net General Fund cost: $0 in FY 2025‑26 through FY 2028‑29 (offset transfers applied).
  • Total one‑time appropriations in FY 2026‑27:
    • General Fund: $179,500 (offset by transfer)
    • Other Special Revenue Funds: $561,283

Who is affected

  • Aroostook County residents who may be eligible for or participate in the Drug Treatment Court.
  • Office of the Attorney General (temporary ADA position).
  • Maine Commission on Public Defense Services (additional representation duties).
  • DHHS — Office of Behavioral Health and Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (contract management and fund transfers).
  • Entities contracting to provide pretrial services.

Timeline & legislative actions

  • Introduced March 4, 2025; committee work and amendment adopted in early June 2025.
  • Passed both chambers in June 2025 (concurrence and engrossed with Amendment “A”).
  • Signed into law July 1, 2025.
  • Fiscal effects and appropriations take effect in FY 2026‑27 as specified.

Considerations

  • Funding is one‑time for FY 2026‑27; ongoing operational or staffing costs beyond that fiscal year are not funded by this bill and would require future appropriations or alternative funding sources.
  • The measure provides the core initial resources to stand up the DTC (prosecution, defense representation, and pretrial services contract), enabling the court to begin operations in Aroostook County.

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

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