An Act to Extend the Requirement That the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services Compensate Certain Private Attorneys Appointed to Provide Indigent Legal Services
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Longer access to appointed lawyers in Maine
Effective upon approval, the law extends Maine’s private-lawyer appointment and payment framework by one year, ending April 1, 2027. Courts can appoint private lawyers for people who qualify for indigent legal services when other public defense counsel is unavailable. This includes public defenders and assigned, contract, or employed counsel. The private lawyer must agree beforehand, be qualified, and not be disqualified by the commission. District and Superior Court lawyers need at least 3 years of relevant legal experience. Supreme Judicial Court lawyers need that experience or prior work as a law clerk analyzing relevant cases. The commission pays the same rates and covers similar expenses and tasks as for assigned counsel, using its voucher review process. Only one private lawyer can be paid per client under a single case docket. Confidentiality protections apply, and commission supervision is limited to client complaints.
Repayment limits for low-income legal clients
Through April 1, 2027, existing reimbursement and cost-collection rules also cover private lawyers appointed under this law. Courts can require defendants or civil parties to contribute only after finding they can pay. Payments can cover the full cost or a fixed contribution, with installments allowed, but cannot exceed actual expenses. The commission must accept and process feasible payments, and courts must send collected payments to the commission. Reimbursement orders can be suspended for incarcerated clients. The executive director must maintain eligibility checks, seek court review when finances change, recommend reimbursement improvements, and require separate time records for each case. The director can also contract for help collecting fees and expenses.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 607
4/3/2026PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.
3/30/2026SenateThis 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.
3/26/2026HouseCONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-562).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3/25/2026HouseReport READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-562) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-562).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.
3/24/2026SenateReport was READ and ACCEPTED.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARYIn concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
2/10/2026HouseReported that the same be REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY, pursuant to Public Law, chapter 40, section 5.Report READ and ACCEPTED.Bill and accompanying papers REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY.Sent down for concurrence.
2/3/2026Senate
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (S-562), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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