All Roll Calls
Yes: 96 • No: 86
MaineLD 1849132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET
An Act to Establish a Minimum Age at Which Conduct Constitutes a Juvenile Crime and to Confer Jurisdiction to the Juvenile Courts Over Any Criminal Offense Under Maine Law Committed by a Juvenile
Sponsored By: Suzanne Salisbury (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
JUVENILE OFFENDERSJUVENILE OFFENDERS - ADJUDICATION
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 3 mixed.
Juvenile fines: no minimums, up to $1,000
The law ends mandatory minimum fines for juveniles. Courts can still order fines under the general sentencing rules. For certain listed juvenile offenses and juvenile crimes under fish and wildlife or motor vehicle laws, the fine can be up to $1,000.
Time limits and no retroactive cases
Beginning June 27, 2025, the State must start cases for several listed juvenile offenses within one year of the conduct. The law does not apply to conduct that happened before June 27, 2025. Older cases stay under the old rules.
DUI and hunting cases skip screening
Some juvenile cases for hunting under the influence and for certain DUI crimes do not follow the usual screening. A petition can be filed without a juvenile corrections officer’s recommendation. These cases follow the special filing rules in section 3203‑A.
Teen driver suspensions and public records
If a corrections officer does not seek a petition for certain drug or alcohol possession or transport by a minor, the Secretary of State must suspend the juvenile’s driving rights for 30 days. For juveniles with a commercial license, the Secretary must suspend the commercial credential under federal and state rules, and that record is public. When a juvenile is adjudicated for a motor‑vehicle offense or gets a court‑ordered suspension, the court must send a certified abstract to the Secretary of State. Those records can be used in license hearings and are open to public inspection.
Arrest and proof rules for juveniles
Police and private people cannot arrest a juvenile without a warrant for certain listed drug or liquor offenses. In court, some juvenile charges must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Others in the listed drug or liquor categories may be proven by a preponderance of the evidence. If the State does not meet the required standard, the court must dismiss the case.
Old juvenile statutes repealed for alignment
The law repeals several older statutes in multiple titles to match the new juvenile rules. This clears out conflicts and moves procedures into the updated code.
Who is a juvenile and what counts
Beginning June 27, 2025, the law sets who is a juvenile and what is a juvenile crime. Most cases cover ages 11 to 17. For murder, felony murder, and manslaughter (including attempts), anyone under 18 is a juvenile. More acts now count as juvenile crimes, including some drug and alcohol offenses and refusing a court order. Some motor and alcohol offenses that are adult crimes can be handled in juvenile court, using juvenile rules and penalties.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Suzanne Salisbury
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
David Sinclair
Democratic • House
Michael Brennan
Democratic • House
Robert Nutting
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 6/17/2025
ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP
Yes: 76 • No: 71
Senate vote • 6/17/2025
ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT
Yes: 20 • No: 15
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 431
6/27/2025PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
6/18/2025SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/18/2025HouseReports ReadOn motion by Senator BEEBE-CENTER of Knox the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 615 Yeas 20 - Nays 15 - Excused 0 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-758) READ and ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-758) in concurrence
6/17/2025SenateReports READ.On motion of Representative HASENFUS of Readfield, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 562(Yeas 76 - Nays 71 - Absent 2 - Excused 2)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-758) 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" (H-758). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/17/2025HouseThe Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY in concurrence
4/30/2025SenateCommittee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/30/2025House
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (H-758), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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