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MaineLD 1828132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Right to Know Advisory Committee Concerning Public Records Exceptions

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Became Law

FREEDOM OF ACCESSFREEDOM OF ACCESS - PUBLIC RECORDS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More confidentiality for securities filings and probes

The Office of Securities keeps audit and investigation records private. Trade secrets and confidential parts of filings are not public. Social Security numbers, home addresses and phones (unless used for business), and records given under confidentiality are protected. Information from federal agencies that federal law bars from release stays confidential.

Privacy for restitution assistance applications

Personal details in a restitution assistance application that are marked nonpublic are not disclosed. The law follows the cited public records rule to keep that information private.

Privacy for security company license applications

Applications to run a contract security company and related records are confidential. License proceedings are closed unless you ask to open them. You may sign a written waiver to allow release.

Museum research and personal histories stay private

Draft research and exhibit work at the Maine State Museum stays private until finished and shown. The Museum Director may allow earlier release. Personal history information the museum collects stays private until the person allows release or dies. On request, the Director may keep it private for up to 25 years after death.

Stronger privacy for concealed carry permits

Your concealed handgun application, refusals, and character checks are confidential. Hearings are closed unless you sign a written waiver. For issued permits, only your town, the issue date, and the expiration date are public. Law enforcement and issuing officers still see private details for criminal justice and permitting work.

More privacy in professional licensing cases

Professional boards keep certain personal details private. Your home address, phone, email, and health data in a license file stay confidential unless you list them as your public contact. Boards may share needed details with other licensing agencies or health providers. In settlements, any info that names or could identify a patient is confidential. Information shared with an interstate commission stays confidential and is used only for investigations or discipline.

Privacy for state hiring background checks

Information the bureau gets for background checks is confidential and not public. It is used only to decide suitability for a bureau job, to provide services under a bureau contract, or to access federal tax information from the bureau.

Local job applications become public after hire

After a city or county hires someone, that person’s application, resume, and most references become public. Reference letters submitted in confidence stay private. Personal contact details remain protected by law. Phone numbers marked “unlisted” or “unpublished” stay private.

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

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 111

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    5/21/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/20/2025House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCEUnder suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED, in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    5/13/2025Senate

  5. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/7/2025House

  6. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.On motion by Senator Carney of Cumberland REFERRED to the Committee on Judiciary and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218, in concurrence.

    4/29/2025Senate

  7. Representative KUHN for the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 1, section 411, subsection 6, paragraph G reports that the Bill be REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY and printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218.Report was READ and ACCEPTED.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARYSent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/29/2025House

Bill Text

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