An Act To Provide Additional Deductions from a Sentence of Imprisonment for Completion of Education, Mental Health Treatment and Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1415
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Sponsors: TALBOT ROSS, ROSEN, GATTINE, GROHMAN, LONGSTAFF, WARREN, CYRWAY
Amends: 17-A MRSA §1253

Legislative Document
No. 1415
H.P. 973
House of Representatives, April 11, 2017
An Act To Provide Additional Deductions from a Sentence of 
Imprisonment for Completion of Education, Mental Health 
Treatment and Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
Reference to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative TALBOT ROSS of Portland.
Cosponsored by Senator ROSEN of Hancock and
Representatives: GATTINE of Westbrook, GROHMAN of Biddeford, LONGSTAFF of 
Waterville, WARREN of Hallowell, Senator: CYRWAY of Kennebec.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  17-A MRSA §1253, sub-§15 is enacted to read: 
15.  A person who commits a crime on or after October 1, 2017 and is subsequently 
sentenced to a term of imprisonment for that crime to a state correctional facility may 
earn deductions from the sentence of imprisonment as provided in this subsection if the 
person achieves the goals assigned in the person's transition plan for an educational, 
vocational, career or technical training program or a mental health treatment or substance 
abuse treatment program.  Deductions earned by the person pursuant to this subsection 
are earned upon achievement of the transition plan goal and may not be denied or 
withdrawn based on consideration of disciplinary factors or daily attendance or a decision 
of an employee of the Department of Corrections.  A person may earn only one deduction 
pursuant to this subsection per sentence of imprisonment. 
The goals that may be assigned in the person's transition plan and the deductions that are 
earned as a result of achievement of the goals are as follows: 
A.  For achievement of a general high school equivalency diploma, either through 
completion of course work or a test authorized and approved by the Department of 
Corrections, a deduction of 90 days from the sentence; 
B.  For achievement of an adult high school diploma, a deduction of 120 days from 
the sentence; 
C.  For achievement of an associate degree from an accredited institution of higher 
education, a deduction of 180 days from the sentence; 
D.  For achievement of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher 
education, a deduction of 365 days from the sentence; 
E.  For achievement of completion of a vocational, career or technical training 
program authorized and approved by the Department of Corrections, a deduction of 
days from the sentence; 
F.  For achievement of completion of a mental health program and treatment course 
that is recommended or approved by the Department of Corrections and 
recommended by clinical treatment staff of the department for the person, a deduction 
of 60 days from the sentence; and 
G.  For achievement of completion of a substance abuse program and treatment 
course that is recommended or approved by the Department of Corrections and 
recommended by clinical treatment staff of the department for the person, a deduction 
of 60 days from the sentence. 
SUMMARY 
This bill provides for deductions from a prison sentence based on achievement of 
goals in a person's transition plan for educational, vocational, career or technical training 
programs or mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment programs for a person 
who commits a crime on or after October 1, 2017.  The deductions are earned upon 
achievement of a transition plan goal and may not be denied or withdrawn based on 
consideration of disciplinary factors or daily attendance or a decision of an employee of 
the Department of Corrections.  A person may earn only one deduction per sentence of 
imprisonment. The goals and the deductions are: for achievement of a high school 
equivalency diploma, a deduction of 90 days from the sentence; for achievement of an 
adult high school diploma, a deduction of 120 days; for achievement of an associate 
degree from an accredited institution of higher education, a deduction of 180 days; for 
achievement of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education, a 
deduction of 365 days; for achievement of completion of a vocational, career or technical 
training program authorized and approved by the department, a deduction of 60 days; for 
achievement of completion of a mental health program and treatment course, a deduction 
of 60 days; and for achievement of completion of a substance abuse program and 
treatment course, a deduction of 60 days.