All Roll Calls
Yes: 160 • No: 0
MaineLD 524132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House
An Act to Protect Children from Technology-facilitated Sexual Abuse
Sponsored By: Amy Kuhn (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
CRIMESCRIMES - SEX OFFENSES
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Broader definitions cover AI child images
The law broadens what counts as child sexual abuse material. It covers any image, including AI-made or altered images, that shows or appears to show a minor in sexual conduct. It defines image types like photos, videos, livestreams, and computer files. It defines who is an identifiable child and what generative AI or machine learning means. It also sets a three-part test for obscene material.
Crimes for making, sharing, or having CSAM
The law makes it a crime to create or alter sexual images of a child, including with generative AI (Class B). It makes it a Class C crime to share or try to share this material. It makes it a Class D crime to transport, show, buy, possess, or access it with intent to view. A limited close-in-age exception applies in some listed cases when the child is 14 or 15 and the other person is less than 5 years older.
Minor now means under age 16
The law changes minor to mean under age 16 in these chapters. People who are 16 or 17 are no longer treated as minors under these rules. This can change how crimes and defenses apply to 16- and 17-year-olds.
Tougher sentences and higher image threshold
The law adds mandatory prison time for certain crimes. Courts must give at least 5 years for listed offenses, and at least 10 years for others. A judge cannot suspend the minimum without written reasons. If the victim is under 12, that age counts as an aggravating factor. An inference of intent to share now arises at 100 or more images, up from 10.
Stronger tools to prove and seize CSAM
The law gives prosecutors clearer tools. The child's age is measured at the time of the sexual conduct shown, not when the file was later shared or viewed. Age and whether someone is an identifiable child can be inferred from the image or proven by expert testimony. Maine can prosecute if the person, the minor, or the identifiable child was in Maine when the offense happened. Child sexual abuse material is contraband and can be seized.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Amy Kuhn
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/24/2026
Enactment - Emer
Yes: 128 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/10/2026
ACCEPTANCE OF REPORT
Yes: 32 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 719
4/16/2026On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table Subsequently, PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.
4/14/2026SenateOn motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT - Emergency -2/3 Elected Required in concurrence.
2/26/2026SenateThis being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.PASSED TO BE ENACTED.ROLL CALL NO. 619(Yeas 128 - Nays 0 - Absent 20 - Excused 1 - Vacant 2)Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
2/24/2026HouseCOMMITTEE 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" (H-789), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.
2/12/2026SenateReport READ. On motion by Senator STEWART of Aroostook Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending ACCEPTANCE of the Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-789) Report. Roll Call Ordered Taken from the table by the President ACCEPTANCE of the OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-789) Report PREVAILED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 710 Yeas 32 - Nays 0 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-789) READ and ADOPTEDASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.
2/10/2026SenateCONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-789).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
2/3/2026HouseCarried over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
6/25/2025HouseCarried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.
3/21/2025HouseThe Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY in concurrence
2/11/2025SenateCommittee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
2/11/2025House
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (H-789), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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