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LD 251

An Act To Protect The Confidentiality Of Information Of Individual Customers Of A Public Utility

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Lawrence

Protects utility customers' identifiable data from public records requests by obligating utilities to keep information confidential.

Signed by Governor
#freedomofaccess #publicrecords #utilitycustomers
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Bill Summary · LD 251

Summary — LD 251: An Act To Protect The Confidentiality Of Information of Individual Customers of a Public Utility

Status: Signed by Governor (May 23, 2025)
Introduced: January 21, 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Lawrence of York
Committee: Judiciary
Subjects: Freedom of Access / Public Records, Utility Customers

Purpose / Intent

LD 251 is intended to strengthen confidentiality protections for information about individual customers held by public utilities. The bill addresses the treatment of such customer information under Maine’s public records / freedom of access framework so that individually identifiable customer data is not disclosed inappropriately.

Key procedural actions and timeline

  • 2025-01-21: Introduced and referred to the Judiciary Committee.
  • 2025-03-14: Committee work session; committee voted OTP‑AM (ought to pass as amended).
  • 2025-03-21: Carried over to next session per Joint Order SP 519.
  • 2025-05-07: Committee Amendment “A” (S‑49) read and adopted; bill passed to be engrossed as amended.
  • 2025-05-13: Placed on Consent Calendar; concurrence ordered.
  • 2025-05-20–05-21: Passed to be enacted by both chambers; sent for concurrence.
  • 2025-05-23: Signed by the Governor and enacted.

What the bill does (high level)

The enacted law creates (or clarifies) legal protections for the confidentiality of individual customers’ information held by public utilities. Documents provided with the legislative history and fiscal notes indicate the bill’s focus is on exempting or protecting such data from public disclosure under Maine’s Freedom of Access laws. The Legislature adopted a committee amendment (C “A”, S‑49) before final passage; the amendment’s specific statutory wording is part of the enrolled law.

Note: The full statutory language of the enacted bill is not included in the materials provided here. For exact legal text and precise limits, consult the enrolled chapter in the Maine statutes or the final bill text.

Who is affected

  • Individual customers of public utilities (e.g., residential utility customers) — their personally identifiable or account-related information will receive enhanced confidentiality protections.
  • Public utilities — required to treat customer information per the new confidentiality standard and to respond to records requests accordingly.
  • State and local agencies, courts, journalists, researchers, and members of the public — their access to utility-held customer information may be restricted except as allowed by statute (for example, with customer consent, under subpoena, or as otherwise specified).

Fiscal impact

Multiple fiscal notes (LR 550(01), LR 550(02), LR 550(03)) were prepared for the bill and its amended versions; each states “No fiscal impact.” No state or local cost was identified in the provided fiscal materials.

Practical effect and considerations

  • The law increases privacy protections for individual utility customers and reduces the likelihood that personally identifiable customer data will be disclosed through public records requests.
  • Entities handling utility customer data should review the final statutory language to ensure compliance (e.g., how disclosure may be permitted in limited circumstances, recordkeeping, notice or consent processes).
  • Parties seeking aggregate or non‑identifying data for policy or research purposes may still be able to obtain it if the statute permits nondisclosable information to be redacted or aggregated.

For the exact statutory amendments and operative language, refer to the enrolled bill text or the updated Maine statutes resulting from LD 251 (P.L. citation available in official session laws).

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

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