An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services to Clarify the Types of Cases for Which the Commission Is Responsible for Providing Counsel
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
More low-income cases get paid counsel
The law clarifies which low-income cases get a lawyer. It covers criminal, some civil, and juvenile cases when the law requires counsel. If the Commission handled your case, it also covers asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a loss. Work done by attorneys at the Commission’s direction is included. When a court appoints your lawyer in the listed family and guardianship matters, the court must pay reasonable fees and expenses. Guardian ad litem services under the listed laws are not covered.
Public defender staffing and assignments change
The Commission can employ one attorney as both employed counsel and a public defender. Courts can no longer directly assign a public defender or employed counsel; the Commission makes assignments. The law also adds $1,000 in 2025-26 and $1,000 in 2026-27 to reclassify one defender position.
Involuntary commitment: court will not pay lawyers
In mental health commitment cases under the cited law, the District Court still pays witness and notice fees and transport costs. It no longer pays fees for appointed counsel under that section. Applicant-paid costs listed in the law do not change.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
ACTPUB Chapter 511
1/11/2026HELD BY THE GOVERNOR.
7/8/2025SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
6/25/2025SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/25/2025HouseThe House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-418) as Amended by Senate Amendment "B" (S-481) thereto.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/25/2025HouseOn motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table On motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-418) On further motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby Committee Amendment "A" (S-418) was ADOPTED. On further motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby Senate Amendment "A" (S-424) was ADOPTED and moved to INDEFINITLY POSTPONE the same. On further motion by Same Senator Senate Amendment "B" (S-481) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-418) READ and ADOPTED. Committee Amendment "A" (S-418) as Amended by Senate Amendment "B" (S-481) thereto ADOPTED. PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-418) as Amended by Senate Amendment "B" (S-481) thereto in NON-CONCURRENCE. Sent down for concurrence.
6/25/2025SenateOn motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence.
6/18/2025SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/17/2025HouseReports READ.On motion of Representative KUHN of Falmouth, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-418) was READ.Senate Amendment "A" (S-424) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-418) was READ and ADOPTED.Committee Amendment "A" (S-418) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-424) thereto was ADOPTED. Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-418) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-424) thereto.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/17/2025HouseTaken from the table by the President Subsequently The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED. Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (S-418) READ On motion by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland Senate Amendment "A" (S-424) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-418) READ and ADOPTED Committee Amendment "A" (S-418) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-424) thereto ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-418) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-424) thereto. Sent down for concurrence
6/17/2025SenateReports READ Senator CARNEY of Cumberland moved to ACCEPT The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report On motion by Same Senator Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending Motion to ACCEPT The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report Unfinished Business
6/17/2025SenateReport was READ and ACCEPTED.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARYIn concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/24/2025HouseReported by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland for the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 4, section 1804, subsection 3, paragraph H.Report READ and ACCEPTED.REFERRED to the Committee on Judiciary and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218.Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.
4/24/2025Senate
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (S-418), adopted by House & Senate
Amendment S-B to C-A (S-481), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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