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MaineLD 1871132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Permit Sealing Criminal History Record Information of Victims of Sex Trafficking or Sexual Exploitation

Sponsored By: Rachel Talbot Ross (Democratic)

Became Law

CRIMINAL HISTORIESCRIMINAL HISTORIES - CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Record sealing for sex trafficking victims

The law lets victims of sex trafficking or sexual exploitation seal convictions that were a substantial result of that abuse. You must show you were a victim and that the crime flowed from the exploitation. You can file any time after conviction, and any conviction can qualify under this path. Courts can allow phone or video testimony; official victim documents create a presumption and are not required. The court can grant without a hearing if the State agrees and must issue a written order when granting. Records sealed under this new path, and under the companion section, are not automatically unsealed if you are later convicted. The law defines “sex trafficking” and “sexual exploitation” to guide these cases.

Tighter general rules for record sealing

Outside the trafficking path, you must wait at least one year after fully finishing your sentence before filing to seal under the general rule. More Class E convictions now block sealing, except those under Title 17‑A, chapter 11. The law also adjusts how certain old marijuana-possession convictions affect eligibility. You file in your original criminal case, and the court consolidates multiple motions. These changes tighten eligibility and timing but also clarify where and how to file.

Cleaner and faster background checks for workers

Background-check companies must share only complete and accurate criminal records. They must update records within 30 days or verify them within the last 90 days. Reports that use records collected on or after July 1, 2010 must show the collection date and warn that records may have been sealed since then. If you dispute a record, the company must investigate for free, consider your proof, and fix errors; sealed or pardoned records must be deleted. The company must tell you the result within 30 days. It can stop a frivolous dispute, but must say why and what is needed to continue. Following key federal Fair Credit Reporting Act rules counts as compliance with these state duties. If the company breaks both the federal rules and this law, you can recover $1,000 or your actual damages, plus costs and attorney’s fees. Out‑of‑state firms that use Maine records are treated as having agreed to Maine courts.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rachel Talbot Ross

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Adam Lee

    Democratic • House

  • Anne M. Carney

    Democratic • Senate

  • David Boyer

    Republican • House

  • David Sinclair

    Democratic • House

  • Donna Bailey

    Democratic • Senate

  • Eleanor Sato

    Democratic • House

  • Holly Stover

    Democratic • House

  • Kristi Mathieson

    Democratic • House

  • Richard A. Bennett

    Independent • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 111 • No: 70

House vote • 6/17/2025

Enactment

Yes: 89 • No: 58

Senate vote • 6/16/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 22 • No: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 513

    5/1/2026

  2. HELD BY THE GOVERNOR.

    7/8/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/17/2025Senate

  4. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. ROLL CALL NO. 542(Yeas 89 - Nays 58 - Absent 2 - Excused 2)Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/17/2025House

  5. 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-408) 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-408). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/16/2025House

  6. Reports ReadOn motion by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 560 Yeas 22 - Nays 12 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (S-408) READ and ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-408) Sent down for concurrence

    6/16/2025Senate

  7. Received by the Secretary of the Senate on May 1, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2

    5/1/2025Senate

Bill Text

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