Governor Mills signs Sen. Rafferty bill to protect survivors of domestic abuse
AUGUSTA — On April 11, 2025, Governor Janet Mills signed into law a bill sponsored by Sen. Joe Rafferty, D-Kennebunk. The bill, LD 586, “An Act to Provide a Court Authority to Issue Proximity Restrictions in Protection from Abuse Orders,” will strengthen enforcement of protection orders for survivors of domestic abuse.
“I am grateful for the support of my fellow legislators and the Governor in helping to get this bill over the finish line and passed into law,” said Sen. Rafferty. “This critical legislation will help protect survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking from further abuse and intimidation. I will continue to be an advocate for survivors and for legislation that makes them feel safe and protected.”
LD 586 strengthens enforcement of protection orders by removing loopholes that perpetrators often take advantage of to continue to harass survivors. It also creates an option for judges to provide specific locations that perpetrators cannot visit, such as the survivor’s place of employment or an address they victim frequent, like their family members’ homes. Judges have discretion in determining specific distances and locations based on the facts of the case at hand. The changes LD 586 makes to the preexisting protection statute reassures survivors that places they frequent will be safe from further harassment. It especially benefits rural survivors who may be unable to avoid certain locations, such as a grocery store in a sparsely populated area.
The bill was approved unanimously in the Senate and House and will take effect 90 days after the First Special Session of the 132nd Legislature adjourns sine die.
