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LD 1695

An Act To Provide Law Enforcement Agencies With An Anti-Sex-Trafficking And Commercial Sexual Exploitation Protocol

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Amy Arata and 8 co-sponsors

Requires Maine law enforcement to adopt written anti-sex-trafficking policies and a standard protocol, standardizing responses and improving victim identification and care.

Signed by Governor
#commercialsexualexploitation #crimes #sexoffenses
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Bill Summary · LD 1695

Summary — LD 1695 (132nd Maine Legislature)

Title: An Act To Provide Law Enforcement Agencies With An Anti‑Sex‑Trafficking And Commercial Sexual Exploitation Protocol
Status: Signed by the Governor (enacted)
Introduced: April 17, 2025
Signed: June 17, 2025
Subject areas: Commercial sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, crimes, law enforcement policy

Purpose / Intent

LD 1695 requires Maine law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies addressing sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. The bill is intended to standardize agency responses, improve identification of victims, and ensure that investigations and interactions with potential victims follow a consistent, trauma‑informed approach.

Key provisions

  • Requires law enforcement agencies in Maine to adopt written policies regarding sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.
  • Provides (or makes available) an anti‑sex‑trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation protocol for use by law enforcement agencies. The Department of Public Safety is the state agency referenced in the fiscal notes in connection with implementation and any associated responsibilities.
  • The enacted version incorporates Committee Amendment “A” (H‑495); that amendment was read and adopted prior to final passage (text of the amendment is not provided in the materials supplied).

Note: The public summary and fiscal documents supplied do not include the bill’s full statutory text or the exact content and requirements of the written policies and protocol (e.g., whether they must address training, victim services coordination, data reporting, or specific investigative procedures). The precise duties imposed on agencies and the Department of Public Safety would be set out in the enacted bill text and any implementing guidance.

Who is affected

  • Primary: State, county and municipal law enforcement agencies in Maine (including Maine State Police and local police departments and sheriffs’ offices).
  • Secondary: Victims and survivors of sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, victim service providers, prosecutors, and community partners who interact with law enforcement in these matters.

Fiscal impact

  • Fiscal notes (approved 05/29/25 and 06/06/25) estimate a minor General Fund cost increase for the Department of Public Safety. Any additional costs are expected to be minor and absorbable within existing budgeted resources.

Legislative timeline / procedural history

  • 04/17/2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
  • 05/05/2025: Committee work session; voted OTP‑AM (ought to pass as amended).
  • 06/04–06/05/2025: Committee Amendment “A” (H‑495) adopted; bill passed to be engrossed as amended.
  • 06/09/2025: Passed to be enacted; ordered sent for concurrence.
  • 06/17/2025: Signed by the Governor and enacted into law.

Practical effects / expectations

  • Establishes a statewide expectation that law enforcement agencies maintain formal, written policies for responding to sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.
  • Likely to promote more consistent, victim‑centered handling across agencies and improve coordination with service providers, though the specific operational changes depend on the enacted policy language and any guidance from the Department of Public Safety.

If you would like, I can locate and summarize the enacted statutory text (including Committee Amendment H‑495) to list the specific required policy elements and any implementation timelines.

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

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