An Act To Provide Relocation Assistance To Victims Of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault And Sex Trafficking

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Lori Gramlich and 6 co-sponsors

Creates relocation assistance for crime victims (domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking and others) to cover moving costs and housing, helping victims relocate safely.

Signed by Governor

#abuse #assistance #domestic

Summary — LD 1598 (132nd Maine Legislature)

Title: An Act To Provide Relocation Assistance To Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault And Sex Trafficking
Status: Signed by Governor (5/30/2025)
Introduced: 4/10/2025
Committee: Judiciary
Committee Amendment: “A” (H-195) — amended version captioned to provide relocation assistance to crime victims
Fiscal Note: No fiscal impact (approved 5/05/25 and 5/21/25)

Purpose

LD 1598 establishes a statutory program to provide relocation assistance to individuals who are victims of serious crimes — originally framed for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking and, as amended, expanded in scope to crime victims more broadly. The bill’s intent is to reduce barriers that prevent victims from safely leaving dangerous situations by helping cover costs of relocating.

Key provisions (high-level)

Creates authority for relocation assistance to eligible crime victims. The bill title and committee amendment indicate the program covers victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and potentially other crime victims (see enacted text for the final scope).

Assigns responsibility for eligibility, allowable uses, and administration to the implementing statute or designated state agency (specific administrative details and benefit levels are contained in the enacted bill text and implementing rules).

Provides for relocation-related supports intended to improve victim safety and stability (e.g., moving costs, temporary housing, deposits — specific eligible expenses are defined in the law).

Note: The documents provided do not include the full statutory language or dollar amounts. For exact eligibility criteria, covered expenses, application process, and which agency administers the program, consult the enacted bill text.

Who is affected

Primary beneficiaries: victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and other crime victims included under the enactment.

Secondary parties: victim service providers, law enforcement, courts, and the state agency responsible for program administration who will implement outreach, intake, and disbursement processes.

Fiscal and procedural history

Referred to Judiciary (4/10/2025); work session held (4/29/2025); committee recommended OTP-AM (4/29/2025).

Committee Amendment “A” (H-195) adopted; bill passed both chambers under suspension and on the Consent Calendar; passed to be enacted (5/27/2025).

Governor signed the bill on 5/30/2025.

Fiscal notes prepared for both the original amendment and engrossed versions (5/05/2025 and 5/21/2025) conclude the bill has “no fiscal impact.”

Implementation & next steps

The enacted statutory language (not included here) sets the operative rules. Agencies named in the statute will issue any implementing guidance and forms.

Organizations serving victims should review the enacted bill text to determine referral and documentation requirements and communicate availability to clients.

For precise program mechanics (eligibility, benefit amounts, application process, effective date), consult the final enrolled law or the Legislature’s published bill text for LD 1598 (including Committee Amendment H-195).