Resolve, To Ensure More Comprehensive Investigation and . Prosecution of Computer Crimes
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 0322
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Sponsors: DIAMOND, PLUMMER, McCORMICK, SHERMAN, GERZOFSKY, HANLEY, HILL, KAENRATH

Legislative Document 
No. 322 
S.P.105 
January 22,2007 
Resolve, To Ensure More Comprehensive Investigation and 
. Prosecution of Computer Crimes 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety suggested and ordered 
printed. 
Presented by Senator DIAMOND of Cumberland. 
Cosponsored by Representative PLUMMER of Windham and 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Senators: McCORMICK of Kennebec, SHERMAN of Aroostook, Representatives: 
GERZOFSKY of Brunswick, HANLEY of Gardiner, HILL of York, KAENRATH of South 
Portland. 
Printed on recycled po"",,' 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, in order for the State to combat the serious problem of child pornography 
and the related crime of child sexual abuse through the seizure and forensic evaluation of 
computers, adequate state resources and staff must be dedicated for that purpose; and 
Whereas, in order to ensure that the Department of Public Safety has the forensic 
examiners and equipment necessary to aggressively address the proliferation of computer 
crimes against children, a review and assessment of the current resources and workload 
must be conducted immediately for the purpose of appropriating additional resources if 
needed; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it 
Sec. 1. Review by the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and 
Public Safety. Resolved: That the Joint Standing Committee oil Criminal Justice and 
Public Safety shall review and assess the current computer crimes resources appropriated 
to the computer crimes unit of the Department of Public Safety. The committee shall 
determine what impact the 2 new Computer Crimes Forensic Analyst positions and 
equipment, pursuant to Public Law 2005, chapter 676, have had on the backlog of 
computer crimes cases and whether additional positions and resources are necessary to 
aggressively address the proliferation of computer crimes, especially those against 
children. 
If necessary, upon completing the review, the committee may introduce 
legislation to implement its recommendations. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public 
Safety to review and assess the current resources appropriated to the computer crimes 
unit of the Department of Public Safety. The committee shall determine what impact the 
new Computer Crimes Forensic Analyst positions and equipment, pursuant to Public Law 
2005, chapter 676, have had on the backlog of computer crimes cases and whether 
additional positions and resources are necessary to aggressively address the proliferation 
of computer crimes, especially those against children. If necessary, upon completing the 
review, the committee may introduce legislation to implement its recommendations.