PRIA Logo™
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)

Became Law

JUVENILE OFFENDERSJUVENILE OFFENDERS - ADJUDICATION

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.

Stricter license and driving penalties for minors

If a juvenile is adjudicated under the motor‑vehicle code, the court must suspend their license or permit and send the record to the Secretary of State. If a juvenile officer does not seek a filing for certain liquor or tobacco violations, the Secretary must suspend driving rights for 30 days. For CDL holders with a disqualifying violation, the Secretary must suspend as federal rules require, and that record is public. Juvenile motor‑vehicle adjudications and suspensions go to the Secretary of State and can be used in licensing hearings. Certain juvenile driving conduct counts like adult offenses for record and suspension purposes. Minors with liquor possession or drinking in a vehicle are charged under the transportation law, not possession, and may also face juvenile‑crime charges when applicable.

Some workers barred from preschool transport jobs

Preschools cannot hire you to transport children if, in the past six years, you had a listed conviction or a matching juvenile adjudication. Employers must deny these transport jobs based on that six‑year lookback.

Fines and shorter probation for juveniles

Courts can fine up to $1,000 for adjudications under 15 §3103(1)(B) or (C) and for juvenile crimes under Titles 12 or 29‑A. There is no mandatory minimum fine. Probation for (B), (C), or (E) offenses cannot be longer than one year, and it can run past age 21 when needed. The law also removes one older juvenile‑disposition subsection.

Stronger proof rules in juvenile cases

Courts use different proof levels in juvenile cases. For charges in A, E, F, G, or H, the State must prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. For B or C, the court uses a preponderance of the evidence. If the proof standard is not met, the court must dismiss the petition and release the juvenile from any detention or restrictions. If the standard is met, the court enters an adjudication.

Clearer age and juvenile court rules

The law sets who counts as a juvenile: ages 11–17 for most crimes, and under 18 for murder, felony murder, or manslaughter. It defines which offenses go to juvenile court, including many drug, liquor, hunting or boating, ATV, DUI, and some motor‑vehicle crimes. Prosecutors may not start adult charges for people under 18 unless a bind‑over applies or the offense is outside juvenile court. Police face limits on warrantless arrests, and the bail chapter does not apply to juvenile arrests. For listed offenses (B, C, E, F, or H), charges must start within one year of the conduct. Some intoxication cases can be filed without a juvenile officer’s recommendation, and Title 12 cross‑references now include the matching juvenile crimes. Past conduct stays under the old law.

Who counts as a state juvenile client

The law expands who is a “juvenile client” for state services. A youth living in or confined to a juvenile correctional facility, or on community reintegration status, is included. It also covers those ordered confined under related juvenile or motor‑vehicle laws.

Repeals older juvenile and wildlife rules

The law repeals several sections: 12 MRSA §§6004, 8004, and 10608; 15 MRSA §3206; and 34‑A §3802(1)(G). These repealed rules no longer apply.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Suzanne Salisbury

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • David Sinclair

    Democratic • House

  • Michael Brennan

    Democratic • House

  • Robert Nutting

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 96 • No: 86

Senate vote • 6/17/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 20 • No: 15

House vote • 6/17/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 76 • No: 71

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 431

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/18/2025Senate

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

    6/18/2025House

  4. Reports 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

    6/17/2025Senate

  5. Reports 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.

    6/17/2025House

  6. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY in concurrence

    4/30/2025Senate

  7. Committee 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

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation