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MaineLD 1962132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)Senate

An Act to Increase Legislative Access to Department of Corrections Facilities and to Direct the Commissioner to Establish Rules Regarding Legislator Access to Correctional and Detention Facilities

Sponsored By: Jill C. Duson (Democratic)

Became Law

CORRECTIONS DEPTCORRECTIONS DEPT - ADMINISTRATION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New oversight boards for each state prison

The law creates a seven‑member Board of Visitors for every state correctional facility. The Governor appoints members for three‑year terms and names the chair, and members are paid under state law. No legislators or Department of Corrections employees may serve. Each board must include at least one licensed mental health provider and at least one person who was previously incarcerated. When a seat opens, the Commissioner must notify the Governor, the Senate President, and the House Speaker within 5 days. The Governor then has 90 days to appoint; if not, the Senate President and House Speaker jointly appoint a member.

New rules for legislator prison and jail visits

Legislators may enter correctional and detention facilities only by following rules set by the Commissioner of Corrections. These are major substantive rules under state law. The rules must state which areas a legislator can enter, how they may talk with clients (people held) and staff, and when a chief administrator can deny entry. The Commissioner must submit these rules to the Legislature by January 31, 2027.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jill C. Duson

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Pinny H. Beebe-Center

    Democratic • Senate

  • Nina Milliken

    Democratic • House

  • Rachel Talbot Ross

    Democratic • Senate

  • Richard A. Bennett

    Independent • Senate

  • Tavis Hasenfus

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 90 • No: 83

House vote • 3/30/2026

acc report "a" otp-am by ca "a"

Yes: 69 • No: 69

Senate vote • 3/26/2026

ACCEPT REPORT 'A' OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED

Yes: 21 • No: 14

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 765

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    4/6/2026Senate

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

    4/2/2026House

  4. On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland the Senate RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "B" (S-578) Ordered sent down forthwith.

    3/31/2026Senate

  5. Reports READ.Motion of Representative HASENFUS of Readfield to ACCEPT REPORT A Ought to Pass as Amended FAILED.ROLL CALL NO. 696(Yeas 69 - Nays 69 - Absent 12 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1)On motion of Representative HASENFUS of Readfield, REPORT C Ought to Pass as Amended was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "B" (S-578) 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 "B" (S-578).In NON-CONCURRENCE and sent for concurrence.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/30/2026House

  6. Taken from the table by the President ACCEPTANCE of The Report A Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-577) Report PREVAILED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 803 Yeas 21 - Nays 14 - Excused 0 - Absent 0 READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (S-577) READ and ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-577) Sent down for concurrence

    3/26/2026Senate

  7. Reports READ. Senator BEEBE-CENTER of Knox moved to ACCEPT The Report A Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-577) Report. On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending Motion by Senator BEEBE-CENTER of Knox to ACCEPT The Report A Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-577) Report. Roll Call Ordered Unfinished Business

    3/25/2026Senate

  8. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.

    6/25/2025Senate

  9. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/13/2025House

  10. Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    5/13/2025Senate

Bill Text

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