MaineMaine commission studies parole and reports recommendations to lawmakers
A 16-member commission studies how parole works in Maine and reports recommendations to the Legislature’s judiciary committee by November 4, 2026.
What it does
A 16-member commission examines Maine’s parole system and how it fits with sentencing. Members include lawmakers from both leading parties and people with varied justice-system roles and experiences.
The commission studies parole in Maine and other states, including how it fits with sentencing and supervision. It reports findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Legislature’s judiciary committee.
Argument forThe review could help lawmakers weigh how parole fits with sentencing and supervision before they consider changes to Maine’s parole system.
Argument againstThe commission’s review may use staff time, and its report may lead to more legislation without changing parole rules by itself.
More detail
The law establishes a 16-member commission to examine parole and how it fits with sentencing in Maine. Legislative leaders, State officials, and the Chief Justice appoint or designate the 16 members. Members include lawmakers from the two parties with the most seats, justice officials, people with relevant experience, and a person currently incarcerated in Maine. The commission’s membership must reflect the State’s diversity. Appointments are due within 120 days after the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature adjourns. Once all members are appointed, the chairs call the first meeting. If a majority but not all members are appointed after 120 days, the chairs may ask the Legislative Council for permission to meet.
The commission studies parole and sends findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Legislature’s judiciary committee. The commission examines parole in Maine and other states, its fit with sentencing and supervision, and how the State Parole Board should make decisions and receive training. The commission may ask people with parole expertise, including Corrections Department employees and State Parole Board members, to serve as consultants. The Legislative Council provides staff, except while the Legislature is in regular or special session. The report is due by November 4, 2026. The committee may report legislation based on the recommendations to the 133rd Legislature in 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 26Became Law without Governor's SignatureBecame Law
- Apr 14Subsequently, FINALLY PASSED, in concurrence.Passed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 14On motion by Senator DUSON of Cumberland taken from the Special Study Table
- Apr 9On motion by Senator DUSON of Cumberland placed on the SPECIAL STUDY TABLE pending FINAL PASSAGE in concurrence
- Apr 9Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 9FINALLY PASSED.Passed 1st Chamber
- Apr 9ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 9The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "B" (H-978) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-646) thereto.Minor
- Apr 8Sent down for concurrence.
- Vote recorded PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded ACCEPT REPORT 'C' OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 8Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 908 Yeas 20 - Nays 15 - Excused 0 - Absent 0
- Apr 8PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "B" (H-978) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-646) thereto PREVAILED in NON-CONCURRENCE.Minor
- Apr 8Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME.Minor
- Apr 8Committee Amendment "B" (H-978) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-646) thereto ADOPTED.Minor
- Apr 8On motion by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland Senate Amendment "A" (S-646) to Committee Amendment "B" (H-978) READ and ADOPTED in NON-CONCURRENCE.
- Apr 8Committee Amendment "B" (H-978) READ.
- Apr 8READ ONCE.Minor
- Apr 8Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 907 Yeas 21 - Nays 14 - Excused 0 - Absent 0
- Apr 8On motion by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland the Report C Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee Amendment "B" (H-978) Report ACCEPTED.
- Apr 8Reports READ
- Apr 7Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Vote recorded acc report "b" otp-am by ca "a". Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded acc report "c" otp-am by ca "b". Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded acc report "a" ontp. Result: fail.Lower
- Apr 7The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "B" (H-978).Minor
- Apr 7Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.
- Apr 7Committee Amendment "B" (H-978) was READ and ADOPTED.Minor
- Apr 7The Bill was READ ONCE.Minor
- Apr 7(Yeas 77 - Nays 71 - Absent 2 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1)
- Apr 7ROLL CALL NO. 749
- Apr 7Subsequently, on motion of Representative KUHN of Falmouth, REPORT C Ought to Pass as Amended was ACCEPTED.
- Apr 7(Yeas 54 - Nays 94 - Absent 2 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1)
- Apr 7ROLL CALL NO. 748
- Apr 7Subsequently, motion of Representative KUHN of Falmouth to ACCEPT REPORT B Ought to Pass as Amended FAILED.
- Apr 7(Yeas 74 - Nays 74 - Absent 2 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1)
- Apr 7ROLL CALL NO. 747
- Apr 7Motion of Representative KUHN of Falmouth to ACCEPT REPORT A Ought Not to Pass FAILED.
- Apr 7Reports READ.
- Apr 6Reported Out - ONTP/OTP-AM/OTP-AM/OTP-AM
- Mar 11Voted - Divided Report
- Mar 11Work Session Reconsidered
- Feb 11Voted - Divided Report
- Feb 11Work Session Held
- Feb 4Work Session Held - TABLED
- Jan 28Work Session Held - TABLED
- 2025
- Jun 25Carried over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
- May 19Carry Over Approved
- May 19Carry Over Requested
- May 7The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY in concurrenceMinor
- May 7Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- May 7The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY.Minor
- May 7Committee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed.Introduced
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