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MaineLD 1832132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)Senate

An Act to Clarify Available Relief for the Protection of At-risk Children

Sponsored By: Donna Bailey (Democratic)

Became Law

CHILDREN AND FAMILIESCHILDREN AND FAMILIES - ABUSE AND NEGLECT

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Court path for at-risk noncitizen youth

Beginning June 17, 2025, Maine courts have clear authority over cases to protect unmarried noncitizen youth under 21. Courts can hear petitions for ages 18 to 20 and have original jurisdiction for those under 18. In parental rights cases, the court can decide motions for these special findings. For this law, a “child” means an unmarried person under 21.

Courts can refer children to services

Beginning June 17, 2025, courts can refer these children to health, education, job, or social services. Courts can also refer them for protection from human trafficking or domestic violence. Taking part in services is voluntary.

Faster, private juvenile court hearings

Beginning June 17, 2025, courts treat these cases as juvenile court matters. Records and hearings are private and closed to the public. Courts must act as soon as possible and before the child turns 21. If parents are unknown or live outside the U.S., the court can use alternate notice or waive service in certain cases.

Special court findings to protect children

Beginning June 17, 2025, an at-risk noncitizen child can ask a court for special findings and relief. The court must decide if the child is dependent on the court and if abuse, neglect, or abandonment happened. It must also decide if reunification with one or both parents is not viable and if return to the home country is against the child’s best interest. A child can ask by petition or by motion in juvenile, family, or parental rights cases. This path is available when other state-law remedies do not fit, and courts can still order relief or make similar findings in other cases.

Reunification finding does not end rights

Beginning June 17, 2025, a finding that reunification is not viable does not by itself end parental rights. Having visits or contact does not stop the court from finding reunification is not viable when abuse, neglect, or abandonment occurred.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Donna Bailey

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Adam Lee

    Democratic • House

  • Amy Arata

    Republican • House

  • Amy Kuhn

    Democratic • House

  • Anne M. Carney

    Democratic • Senate

  • David Sinclair

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 347

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/11/2025Senate

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

    6/10/2025House

  4. Reports 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-310) was READ and 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-310). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/10/2025House

  5. Reports READ Senator CARNEY of Cumberland moved to ACCEPT the Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report. On motion by Senator STEWART of Aroostook Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending Motion by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland to ACCEPT The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-310) Report. Taken from the table by the President Subsequently, The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-310) Report ACCEPTED. READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (S-310) READ and ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-310) Sent down for concurrence

    6/9/2025Senate

  6. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/30/2025House

  7. Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES suggested and ordered printed On motion by Senator INGWERSEN of York REFERENCE to the Committee on JUDICIARY Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    4/30/2025Senate

Bill Text

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