An Act to Advance Justice in Sentencing by Amending the Laws Governing the Maine Criminal Justice Sentencing Institute and Increasing Funding for Meetings of the Institute
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1535
Committee: Judiciary
Sponsors: HASENFUS, HICKMAN
Amends: 4 MRSA §454

Legislative Document
No. 1535
H.P. 990
House of Representatives, April 5, 2023
An Act to Advance Justice in Sentencing by Amending the Laws 
Governing the Maine Criminal Justice Sentencing Institute and 
Increasing Funding for Meetings of the Institute
Reference to the Committee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative HASENFUS of Readfield.
Cosponsored by Senator HICKMAN of Kennebec.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  4 MRSA §454, as amended by PL 2013, c. 159, §9, is repealed and the 
following enacted in its place:
§454.  Maine Criminal Justice Sentencing Institute
1.  Institute established; purpose.  There is established the Maine Criminal Justice 
Sentencing Institute, referred to in this section as "the institute," under the administrative 
supervision of the State Court Administrator. The purpose of the institute is to provide a 
continuing forum for the regular discussion of the most appropriate methods of sentencing 
convicted offenders and adjudicated juveniles.
2.  Membership.  All Supreme Judicial Court, Superior Court and District Court 
Justices and Judges, all District Attorneys and all attorneys within the Criminal Division of 
the Office of the Attorney General are considered members of the institute.  In addition, 
the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court shall invite, at a minimum, as members of 
the institute, law enforcement and correctional personnel, representatives of advisory and 
advocacy groups, including persons with expertise in sentencing reform and restorative 
justice and with experience in substance use disorder counseling, and representatives of the 
defense bar.
3.  Meetings; notice; public participation.  When sufficient funding is allocated by 
the Legislature, but no less often than once every 2 years, the institute shall meet, at the call 
of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, for a 2-day period to discuss 
recommendations for changes in the sentencing authority and policies of the State's 
criminal and juvenile courts, in response to law enforcement problems and the available 
alternatives for criminal and juvenile rehabilitation within the State's correctional system. 
The Chief Justice shall post on the publicly accessible website of the judicial branch notice 
of the meeting, including the date, time and place of the meeting and the agenda, no later 
than 2 weeks prior to the meeting.  The meeting must be open to the public, and the Chief 
Justice shall allow participation and input by the public.
4.  Compensation.  Members of the institute are not entitled to receive compensation 
for their services but are allowed, out of any appropriation or other fund made available for 
the purpose, reimbursement for expenses for clerical and other services, travel and 
incidentals as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court may authorize.
5.  Biennial report.  Beginning January 15, 2024 and every 2 years thereafter, the 
Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court shall submit a report to the joint standing 
committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters and over criminal 
justice and public safety matters detailing, at a minimum, the membership of the institute, 
the matters discussed at the most recent meeting of the institute and any recommendations 
of the institute regarding matters considered by the institute.  The joint standing committees 
may report out legislation based on the report.
Sec. 2.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made.
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
Courts - Supreme, Superior and District 0063
Initiative: Provides ongoing funding for the Maine Criminal Justice Sentencing Institute to 
meet biennially.
GENERAL FUND
2023-24
2024-25
All Other
$25,000
$25,000
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$25,000
$25,000
SUMMARY
This bill implements the recommendations of the Commission to Examine 
Reestablishing Parole regarding the Maine Criminal Justice Sentencing Institute by:
1.  Modifying the membership to require that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial 
Court invite, as members, representatives of advisory and advocacy groups, including 
persons with expertise in sentencing reform and restorative justice and experience in 
substance use disorder counseling;
2. Requiring that the institute meet at least once every 2 years;
3.  Requiring that a meeting of the institute be advertised on the publicly accessible 
website of the judicial branch at least 2 weeks prior to the meeting. The notice must include 
the time, date and place of the meeting as well as the agenda;
4.  Requiring that the meeting be open to the public, with public participation and input 
allowed; 
5.  Requiring the Chief Justice to submit a report to the joint standing committees of 
the Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters and over criminal justice and 
public safety matters detailing, at a minimum, the membership of the institute, the matters 
discussed at the most recent meeting of the institute and any recommendations of the 
institute regarding matters considered by the institute.  The joint standing committees are 
authorized to report out legislation based on the report; and
6.  Making technical changes to the statute for readability and clarity.
This bill also provides for ongoing funding for the institute to allow it to meet 
biennially.