Sen. Bailey appointed to bipartisan Criminal Records Review Committee
AUGUSTA — Sen. Donna Bailey, D-Saco, has been appointed to the Criminal Records Review Committee by Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash. Sen. Bailey will be the Senate chair of the committee that was established by LD 563, “Resolve, To Create the Criminal Records Review Committee”.
“Too often a criminal record has prevented people from continuing their education, securing housing, or getting credit or professional licenses. As a result, this keeps people from moving on with their lives after they completed their sentences,” said Sen. Bailey. “I’m honored to join prosecutors, civil liberties advocates, representatives from the judiciary branch and others to explore ideas and policies related to reviewing and sealing criminal records so that, after serving their sentences, people can build dignified lives for themselves and their families.”
Currently, Maine has no laws for sealing or expunging adult convictions, making it one of eight states in the country lacking such measures.
Sen. Bailey will join stakeholders, including representatives from the Office of the Attorney General; the Departments of Health and Human Services, Public Safety, and Corrections; and advocacy and law enforcement groups, on the committee. Sen. Bailey also sits on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee and the Government Oversight Committee.
The Criminal Records Review Committee is tasked with reviewing policies and practices in other states that address and provide for the expungement, sealing, vacating of and otherwise limiting public access to criminal records. The group will also consider possible clean slate legislation options that would automatically clear criminal records if a person stays crime-free. Further, committee members will closely consider whether certain convictions should be subject to different treatment given their severity. Additional duties of the commission can be found here.
The bipartisan committee will hold public meetings this fall and submit its report to the Judiciary Committee, including any recommendations on legislation, no later than December 3, 2021.
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