New Sen. Duson laws strengthening tenants’ rights, establishing statewide SAFE Kit system and boosting ocean economy take effect
AUGUSTA — Today, July 29, new laws championed by Senate Assistant Majority Leader Jill Duson, D-Portland, will go into effect after being passed by the Legislature earlier this year.
LD 2176, “An Act to Safeguard Personal Information and Strengthen Tenant Rights in Maine,” sponsored by Sen. Duson, prohibits a landlord from disclosing personal information — such as name, phone number, sexual orientation, race or immigration status — about a tenant with the intent to harass, intimidate or get them to leave the property outside of a legal eviction process.
The bill includes reasonable exceptions such as legitimate business purposes, judicial processes, property sales and certain requests by local law enforcement or municipal code officers. This comes in response to reports of disclosure or threatened disclosure to immigrant renters by federal agents earlier in 2026.
LD 2216, “An Act to Establish the Maine Blue Economy Center,” establishes the Maine Blue Economy Center within the Maine Technology Institute. This bill was a direct result of previous legislation sponsored by Sen. Duson.
The Center will serve as the state’s central hub for coordinating and growing ocean-based industries. The Center is tasked with supporting research, commercialization and patenting; strengthening workforce development; aligning efforts across government, industry and academia; and improving tracking of economic and environmental trends.
Sen. Duson is also applauding the 2026 Supplemental Budget taking effect, which includes funding for testing and tracking Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Kits and to support victims of crime.
Last year, Sen. Duson introduced LD 1816, a bill to establish a statewide SAFE kit tracking system and conduct an inventory of the kits in the possession of law enforcement. The language in the supplemental budget is consistent with LD 1816. Sen. Duson’s advocacy and collaboration with the Governor’s office and the statewide sexual assault prevention coalition enabled this critical funding to get across the finish line.
“From strengthening justice for survivors to building the future of Maine’s ocean-dependent economy and protecting the dignity of all renters, these new laws taking effect today reflect what good government should do — deliver tangible results for the people,” said Sen. Duson. “It’s been my honor to serve alongside this remarkable Democratic caucus and I’m eager to continue this work.”
As non-emergency legislation, these laws take effect today, July 29, 90 days after the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature adjourned.
This year, Sen. Duson returned to Augusta to lower everyday costs, protect Maine’s future and defend Mainers’ fundamental rights and freedoms.
Sen. Duson is serving her second term in the Maine Senate, representing Senate District 27, which includes part of Portland and part of Westbrook. She is serving her first term as Senate Assistant Majority Leader. She serves on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee and the Government Oversight Committee. Sen. Duson is first Black woman to serve in the Maine Senate.
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