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MaineLD 2108132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Establish the Suicide Mortality Review Panel

Sponsored By: Holly Stover (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICESMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES - DELIVERY

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Maine creates panel to review suicide deaths

The law creates a suicide death review panel within the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, effective upon approval. Reviews cover confirmed suicides, suspected suicides, and deaths where suicide cannot be ruled out. A coordinator reviews every suicide death; the panel reviews referred cases and meets at least four times each year. The coordinator must complete nationally certified death-investigation training before appointment or within six months afterward. Panel members serve three-year terms, with possible reappointment. A confidential state database tracks case details, review findings, recommended changes, and whether those changes were carried out. Starting in 2027, annual reports are due January 2 to the Governor, health commissioner, and legislative health committee. Reports identify care gaps and prevention recommendations and become public after submission; the panel also coordinates with other mortality review panels.

Bereaved families get delayed, voluntary interview invitations

The director cannot first contact next of kin for a suicide review until at least four months after the death. The first contact must be a letter from the director on department letterhead. It invites a voluntary interview and provides information about available services. Families do not have to participate.

Suicide reviews require records, protect privacy

The coordinator can access health records and other records needed to review a suicide death. Record holders must provide necessary, relevant information as soon as practicable after an oral or written request. Those who comply are protected from civil and criminal liability for sharing it. Records keep the privacy protections they had with the source; interviews and panel proceedings are confidential. Interview and panel records cannot be subpoenaed, obtained through court discovery, or used as evidence in civil or criminal cases. The commissioner can share panel conclusions on request, but cannot share otherwise confidential information.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Holly Stover

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 586

    3/23/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.

    3/19/2026Senate

  3. This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/18/2026House

  4. COMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED, in concurrence. Ordered sent down forthwith

    3/17/2026Senate

  5. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.Bill READ ONCE ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.

    3/12/2026Senate

  6. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/10/2026House

  7. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES in concurrence

    1/7/2026Senate

  8. Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    1/7/2026House

Bill Text

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