Sen. Henry Ingwersen appointed chair of the newly created Deed Fraud Prevention Commission

AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, Aug. 20, Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel, was appointed by Senate President Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, to chair the newly created Commission to Recommend Methods for Preventing Deed Fraud in the State, established under LD 353, which was introduced by Sen. Ingwersen and signed by Gov. Janet T. Mills earlier this summer.

“Looking back on the recent legislative session, I am most proud of the work my colleagues and I did to strengthen consumer protections for Mainers,” said Sen. Ingwersen. “As the Senate chair of the newly created Deed Fraud Prevention Commission, I can continue to work on this issue in the fall and winter. After we collect data and study it, we can recommend clear, strong actions to protect Mainers from forgers, fraudsters and scammers. I am also hopeful that we can raise awareness on this growing problem, ensuring that folks are aware of it, including what steps they can take to protect themselves or seek help if they become victims. As many of our neighbors know, this has been a frustratingly pervasive issue in York County recently, so I’m glad that I’ll have the opportunity to lead the work on smart solutions.”

The Commission is tasked with gathering information on the practice and prevalence of deed fraud and reviewing any currently available educational materials regarding the prevention of deed fraud in Maine. It will review current practices, like identify verification, and state laws, such as civil remedies and criminal penalties currently on the books. It will also examine ways to mitigate the fraudulent listing of homes for rent and the use of artificial intelligence for deed fraud. It will provide a report to the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee no later than Dec. 3, 2025.

Appointments are made up of members of the public, banking and real estate professionals, a public safety official, a register of deeds, a title attorney and a civil legal aid provider. The appointments are made by the Governor, Senate President and Speaker of the House.

To learn more and subscribe to updates from the Deed Fraud Prevention Commission, visit https://legislature.maine.gov/commission-to-recommend-methods-for-preventing-deed-fraud-in-the-state. The meeting schedule will be announced online and via the email list once it is finalized.

Sen. Ingwersen sponsored LD 353, the legislation that established the Commission. It received unanimous, bipartisan support in Judiciary Committee and in the full Senate and House. Gov. Janet T. Mills signed it on July 1.

Sen. Henry Ingwersen is currently serving his second term in the Maine Senate. He is the Senate chair of the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee. He also serves on the Legislature’s Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee. He represents Senate District 32, which includes Arundel, Biddeford, Dayton, Hollis and Lyman.

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