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MaineLD 246132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)Senate

An Act to Establish the Option of Sentencing Alternatives for Primary Caregivers

Sponsored By: Rachel Talbot Ross (Democratic)

Became Law

CRIMINAL PROCEDURECRIMINAL PROCEDURE - SENTENCES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Caregiver status counts in sentencing

The law requires judges to weigh a defendant’s caregiving duties at sentencing. When setting the maximum prison term, courts must consider how jail time would affect people who rely on the defendant as a primary caregiver. In contested alternative sentencing for Class D or Class E crimes, courts must also consider caregiver impact when choosing the term and any unsuspended time with probation or administrative release. A “primary caregiver” is the person with the greatest responsibility for a minor, a dependent person, or an incapacitated adult. This can lead to shorter unsuspended time or more community-based options when public safety allows.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rachel Talbot Ross

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Adam LEE

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Amy Kuhn

    Democratic • House

  • Pinny H. Beebe-Center

    Democratic • Senate

  • Anne M. Carney

    Democratic • Senate

  • Craig V. Hickman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Eleanor Sato

    Democratic • House

  • Tavis Hasenfus

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 94 • No: 81

House vote • 6/5/2025

ACC REPORT "A" OTP-AM

Yes: 74 • No: 67

Senate vote • 6/4/2025

ACCEPT REPORT 'A' OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED

Yes: 20 • No: 14

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 402

    6/22/2025

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/9/2025Senate

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

    6/9/2025House

  4. Reports READ.On motion of Representative KUHN of Falmouth, REPORT A Ought to Pass as Amended was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 338(Yeas 74 - Nays 67 - Absent 8 - Excused 2)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-253) 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" (S-253).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/5/2025House

  5. Reports READ On motion by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland Report A Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-253) Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 353 Yeas 20 - Nays 14 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (S-253) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-253) Sent down for concurrence

    6/4/2025Senate

  6. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025Senate

  7. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    1/21/2025House

  8. Committee on JUDICIARY suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on JUDICIARY Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    1/21/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (S-253), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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