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MaineLD 1886132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

An Act to Include Serious Bodily Injury in the Law Governing Motor Vehicle Violations Resulting in Death

Sponsored By: Michael Lemelin (Republican)

Became Law

TRAFFIC REGULATIONSTRAFFIC REGULATIONS - CELL PHONE USE

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Fines and suspensions for severe crashes

Courts can fine up to $5,000 for this civil violation. Judges may let community service cover any portion of the fine. A license suspension is required: at least 14 days and up to 4 years.

New civil offense for deadly or severe crashes

The law makes it a civil offense if you cause someone's death or serious bodily injury while breaking a traffic rule. The state must prove the traffic infraction caused the harm. Courts use Maine’s standard in Title 17-A, section 33 to decide causation. Serious bodily injury has the same meaning as in Title 17-A, section 2(23).

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Michael Lemelin

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 108 • No: 32

House vote • 6/5/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 108 • No: 32

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 302

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/9/2025Senate

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

    6/9/2025House

  4. Reports ReadOn motion by Senator BEEBE-CENTER of Knox the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-497) READ and ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-497) in concurrence

    6/5/2025Senate

  5. Reports READ.On motion of Representative HASENFUS of Readfield, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 342(Yeas 108 - Nays 32 - Absent 9 - Excused 2)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-497) 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-497). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/5/2025House

  6. Received by the Clerk of the House on May 1, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    5/1/2025House

Bill Text

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