An Act to Increase Accountability for Persons Engaged in Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking and to Support Victims
Sponsored By: Holly Stover (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
More compensation access for exploitation victims
Beginning April 1, 2027, Maine’s victims’ compensation program covers commercial sexual exploitation of minors or people with mental disabilities. The law also specifies coverage for sexual exploitation of a minor and keeps coverage for sex trafficking and aggravated sex trafficking. Victims are not excluded solely because their own criminal-law violation caused or contributed to the injury or death. That violation must directly result from one of these listed trafficking or exploitation offenses. Other program eligibility rules still apply.
Higher required payments for exploitation convictions
Beginning April 1, 2027, commercial sexual exploitation of a minor or person with a mental disability carries higher court assessments. The first conviction costs $3,000, up from $1,000; each later conviction costs $6,000, up from $2,000. Soliciting a child for commercial sexual exploitation or engaging a person for prostitution costs $1,000 initially and $2,000 per later conviction. Aggravated sex trafficking carries a $6,000 assessment, and sex trafficking carries a $3,000 assessment. The assessment schedule also requires $70 for murder or Class A, B, or C crimes and $40 for Class D or E crimes. Courts cannot waive these payments and must notify the Department of Corrections or county sheriff about unpaid balances. All money collected goes to Maine’s Victims’ Compensation Fund.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Holly Stover
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Amy Arata
Republican • House
Amy Roeder
Democratic • House
Cameron D. Reny
Democratic • Senate
Drew Gattine
Democratic • House
Lori Gramlich
Democratic • House
Rachel Henderson
Republican • House
Ryan Fecteau
Democratic • House
Sean Faircloth
Democratic • House
Suzanne Salisbury
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 696
4/13/2026PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
4/6/2026SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/6/2026HouseReports READ.On motion by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-939) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-939) in concurrence.
4/6/2026SenateReports 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" (H-939) 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-939). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/2/2026HouseThe Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY in concurrence
1/20/2026SenateCommittee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
1/20/2026House
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (H-939), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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