Resolve, to Study the Feasibility of Establishing a Dedicated Family
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1618
Sponsors: GRAMLICH, BAILEY

Legislative Document
No. 1618
H.P. 1072
House of Representatives, April 15, 2025
Resolve, to Study the Feasibility of Establishing a Dedicated Family 
Court in Maine
(EMERGENCY)
Received by the Clerk of the House on April 11, 2025.  Referred to the Committee on 
Judiciary pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative GRAMLICH of Old Orchard Beach.
Cosponsored by Senator BAILEY of York and
Representatives: CARUSO of Caratunk, HENDERSON of Rumford, KUHN of Falmouth, 
LEE of Auburn, MOONEN of Portland, O'HALLORAN of Brewer, PUGH of Portland, 
Senator: HAGGAN of Penobscot.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the study in this resolve must be initiated before the 90-day period expires 
in order that the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to 
the next legislative session; 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.  Study group established.  Resolved:  That the Study Group to Research 
the Feasibility of Establishing a Dedicated Family Court in Maine, referred to in this 
resolve as "the study group," is established.
Sec. 2.  Study group membership.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the study group consists of 12 members appointed as follows:
1.  Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate;
2.  Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House;
3.  One member representing the judicial branch who is a judge selected by the Chief 
Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, appointed by the President of the Senate;
4.  One member representing the judicial branch who is a family process manager 
selected by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, appointed by the Speaker of 
the House;
5.  One member representing a child welfare advocacy organization, appointed by the 
President of the Senate;
6.  One member who is a guardian ad litem, appointed by the President of the Senate;
7.  One member representing the Family Law Advisory Commission under the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 19-A, chapter 5, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
8.  One member representing a domestic violence prevention and survivor support 
organization, appointed by the Speaker of the House; 
9.  One member who is an individual with personal experience with family law 
proceedings in court, appointed by the President of the Senate; and
10.  One member who is an individual with personal experience with family law 
proceedings in court, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
Sec. 3.  Chairs.  Resolved:  That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair 
and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the study 
group.
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of study group.  Resolved:  That all 
appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this 
resolve.  The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative 
Council once all appointments have been completed.  After appointment of all members, 
the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the study group.  If 30 days or more 
after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been 
made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for 
the study group to meet and conduct its business.
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the study group shall undertake a comprehensive 
study to evaluate the feasibility, potential benefits and challenges associated with 
establishing a dedicated family court system.  The comprehensive study must include an 
examination of:
1.  The volume and types of family law cases currently handled by the State's courts;
2.  The average time to resolution for family law cases under the current system;
3.  The potential for reducing delays and improving outcomes through a dedicated 
family court;
4.  Best practices from other states with dedicated family courts; 
5.  The resources required for a dedicated family court system; and
6.  The number of times an individual case is heard by multiple judges.
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the study group, except that Legislative Council staff support 
is not authorized when the Legislature is in regular or special session.
Sec. 7.  Report.  Resolved:  That, no later than December 3, 2025, the study group 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Study Group to Research the Feasibility of Establishing a 
Dedicated Family Court in Maine to undertake a comprehensive study to evaluate the 
feasibility, potential benefits and challenges associated with establishing a dedicated family 
court system.