An Act To Establish the Safe Homes Program
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1861
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Sponsors: DESCHAMBAULT, PICKETT
Amends: 1 MRSA §150-R

Legislative Document
No. 1861
S.P. 660
In Senate, January 5, 2022
An Act To Establish the Safe Homes Program
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203.
Reference to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety suggested and ordered 
printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator DESCHAMBAULT of York.
Cosponsored by Representative: PICKETT of Dixfield.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  1 MRSA §150-R is enacted to read:
§150-R.  Safe Homes Awareness Month
The month of September of each year is designated as Safe Homes Awareness Month 
and the Governor shall annually issue a proclamation to raise awareness among the people 
of the State of the importance of safety in the home and of the existence of and assistance 
that is available from the Safe Homes Program established in Title 25, section 7001.
Sec. 2.  25 MRSA Pt. 15 is enacted to read:
PART 15
SAFE HOMES
CHAPTER 801
SAFE HOMES PROGRAM
§7001.  Safe Homes Program
1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 
following terms have the following meanings.
A.  "Dangerous weapon" has the same meaning as in Title 17-A, section 2, subsection 
9, paragraph C.
B.  "Department" means the Department of Public Safety.
C.  "Designated groups" means public schools, public preschool programs, foster 
homes, veterans programs, hospitals or other facilities in which newborns are delivered 
and members of the public.
D.  "Firearm" has the same meaning as in Title 17-A, section 2, subsection 12-A.
E.  "Foster home" means a family foster home as defined in Title 22, section 8101, 
subsection 3.
F.  "Prescription drug" has the same meaning as in Title 22, section 8731, subsection 
3-A.
G.  "Public preschool program" has the same meaning as in Title 20-A, section 1, 
subsection 23-A.
H.  "Public school" has the same meaning as in Title 20-A, section 1, subsection 24.
2.  Program established.  The Safe Homes Program is established and administered 
by the department to support the safe storage of prescription drugs, firearms and dangerous 
weapons in homes by providing educational information and materials and grants in 
accordance with this section.
3.  Educational information and materials.  The department shall support designated 
groups that provide educational information and materials on the safe storage of 
prescription drugs, firearms and dangerous weapons in homes.  The educational 
information and materials must include, but are not limited to, information and materials 
on:
A. Veterans programs and other state, community and private resources and programs 
that are available to assist in achieving the safe storage of prescription drugs, firearms 
and dangerous weapons in homes; and
B.  Discounts, incentives and savings programs available from public and private 
entities, including assistance through the Safe Homes Program Fund established in 
subsection 5.  
4.  Grant program.  The department shall develop a grant program to provide funding 
for the purpose of providing educational information and materials in accordance with 
subsection 3 and for purchasing firearm safety devices, including, but not limited to, safes, 
locks and lockboxes designed for securing firearms.  
A.  Grants may be provided under this subsection to designated groups and nonprofit 
and community organizations serving designated groups.  
B.  The department shall administer the grant program developed pursuant to this 
subsection through an agreement with a statewide association of sheriffs.  
C.  The department shall adopt rules to implement the grant program.  The rules must 
include procedures for assisting applicants with the application process, accepting 
applications, approving and disapproving applications and distributing funding, 
coupons or vouchers to successful applicants.  Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph 
are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
5.  Safe Homes Program Fund.  The Safe Homes Program Fund is established as a 
nonlapsing fund to provide funding to achieve the purposes of this section.  The fund 
consists of any funds received from private and public sources.  The fund must be held 
separate and apart from all other money, funds and accounts.  Any balance remaining in 
the fund at the end of any fiscal year must be carried forward to the next fiscal year.
6.  List.  Within available resources, the Commissioner of Public Safety shall maintain 
a list of state, community and private resources and programs that are available to support 
the purposes of this section.
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the Safe Homes Program administered by the Department of 
Public Safety to support the safe storage of prescription drugs, firearms and dangerous 
weapons in homes by providing educational information and materials and grants.  Under 
the bill, grants may be provided to public schools, public preschool programs, foster homes, 
veterans programs, hospitals or other facilities in which newborns are delivered and 
members of the public and to nonprofit and community organizations serving those groups 
for the purpose of providing educational information and materials and for purchasing 
firearm safety devices.  The bill also designates September as Safe Homes Awareness 
Month.