Sen. Rotundo bill to allow information sharing between law enforcement and school officials receives support of the Maine Legislature

AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, May 7, the Legislature enacted a bill from Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, that would allow law enforcement officers and criminal justice agencies to share information with school officials about minors possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapons. The bill, LD 386, “An Act Regarding Information That May Be Shared by Law Enforcement Entities with a School Superintendent or a Principal,” aims to increase safety in Maine school systems and communities.

“This legislation will provide an additional, crucial avenue of communication between our schools and our communities,” said Sen. Rotundo. “The language in this bill allows police officers, sheriffs and other law enforcement entities to contact school officials if they acquire information that indicates a student has a firearm or other potentially dangerous weapons. This increases the safety of Maine’s schools, our students, teachers and our communities at large.”

LD 386 will clear any legal obstacles in existing statute that create uncertainty around the legality of local law enforcement agencies contacting school officials with information pertaining to juveniles who are in possession of a firearm or other potentially lethal or dangerous weapon.  

This bill was the result of discussions between the Lewiston Legislative Delegation and the Lewiston Chief of Police, the District Attorney and other members of law enforcement last fall about ways the State could help promote public safety in Maine communities.

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