MaineState entities must explain access restrictions in writing
State entities that restrict a person’s access to state property, services, or communication must give written reasons and explain how to challenge the restriction.
What it does
When a state entity restricts someone’s access to state property, services, or communication, it must give written reasons and explain how to challenge the restriction.
The Department of Public Safety must report notice counts, violations, issuing entities, geographic reach, duration, and challenges to the Legislature’s judiciary committee.
Argument forWritten reasons and challenge instructions could help people understand why access was restricted and how to seek review.
Argument againstEntities may need to issue a separate written notice even when a court order exists, adding steps when they restrict access.
More detail
State entities must give written notice when they restrict a person’s access or communication. This applies to state entities other than public institutions of higher education, and to local law enforcement issuing notices for those entities. It covers restrictions on state property or services, and communication with or through an entity where the person would otherwise have access. A court order alone does not meet the written-notice requirements. The Department of Corrections is exempt when restricting a resident of one of its facilities. Entities other than the Department of Public Safety must send a copy of the notice to that department. The written notice is required when the restriction notice or communication is issued.
The Department of Public Safety must report on how the notice rules are being used. The report covers notices issued by or for state entities, including violations, issuing entities, geographic reach, duration, and challenges. The Department must prepare the report using existing resources. The Legislature’s judiciary committee may propose legislation based on the report. The report is due no later than January 15, 2028. The committee may report related legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 133rd Legislature.
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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 SignatureLatest
- Apr 14PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.Passed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 13Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 13PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Became Law
- Apr 13Ordered sent down forthwith.
- Apr 13On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland the Senate RECEDED and CONCURRED to The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report and PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-641) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-1047) AND Senate Amendment "A" (S-656) thereto.Minor
- Apr 13ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 13In NON-CONCURRENCE and sent for concurrence.
- Apr 13The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-641). as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-656) and House Amendment "A" (H-1047) thereto.Minor
- Apr 13Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.
- Apr 13Committee Amendment "A" (S-641) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-656) and House Amendment "A" (H-1047) thereto was ADOPTED.Minor
- Apr 13On motion of Representative KUHN of Falmouth, House Amendment "A" (H-1047) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-641) was READ and ADOPTED.
- Apr 13Senate Amendment "A" (S-656) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-641) was READ and ADOPTED.
- Apr 13Committee Amendment "A" (S-641) was READ.
- Apr 13The Bill was READ ONCE.Minor
- Apr 13On motion of Representative KUHN of Falmouth, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.
- Apr 13Reports READ.
- Apr 9Sent down for concurrence.
- Vote recorded ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 9Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-641) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-656) thereto.Minor
- Apr 9Committee Amendment "A" (S-641) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-656) thereto ADOPTED.Minor
- Apr 9On motion by Senator GROHOSKI of Hancock Senate Amendment "A" (S-656) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-641) READ and ADOPTED.
- Apr 9Committee Amendment "A" (S-641) READ.
- Apr 9READ ONCE.Minor
- Apr 9Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 931 Yeas 21 - Nays 13 - Excused 1 - Absent 0
- Apr 9ACCEPTANCE of The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-641) Report PREVAILED.
- Apr 9Taken from the table by the President
- Apr 8On motion by Senator GROHOSKI of Hancock Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending Motion by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland to ACCEPT The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-641) Report. Roll Call Ordered
- Apr 8Senator CARNEY of Cumberland moved to ACCEPT The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report.
- Apr 8Reports READ
- Apr 7Reported Out - OTP-AM/ONTP
- Feb 24Voted - Divided Report
- Feb 24Work Session Held
- Feb 11Work Session Held - TABLED
- Feb 4Work Session Held - TABLED
- Jan 7In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Jan 7The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY.Minor
- Jan 7Committee on JUDICIARY suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on JUDICIARY Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrenceIntroduced
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