An Act to Prohibit the Appointment or Assignment of an Attorney to Provide Indigent Legal Services Without That Attorney's Consent
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Lawyers gain consent rights, face payment limits
Maine courts appoint or assign lawyers for people who cannot afford legal help. Lawyers must agree in advance to each appointment or assignment. The Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services does not have to pay lawyers or repay expenses unless three conditions hold. The lawyer must have assigned-counsel status and the commission's approval for that type of case. The lawyer must also have agreed to the appointment or assignment in advance.
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 639
4/3/2026PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
3/25/2026SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3/24/2026HouseCONSENT 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-539).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3/19/2026HouseCOMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-539)Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.
3/18/2026SenateReport READ and ACCEPTED.Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (S-539) READ and ADOPTED. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.
3/17/2026SenateReport 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 4.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-539), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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