Resolve, to Provide a Comprehensive Analysis of Criminal Legal
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1909
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Sponsors: TALBOT ROSS

Legislative Document
No. 1909
S.P. 750
In Senate, May 6, 2025
Resolve, to Provide a Comprehensive Analysis of Criminal Legal 
System Data
Reference to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety suggested and ordered 
printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator TALBOT ROSS of Cumberland.
Preamble.  Whereas, the criminal legal system has an immeasurable impact on and 
consequences for individuals who interact with it, specifically individuals charged with a 
crime and victims of crime; and
Whereas, it is essential that policymakers have an accurate and comprehensive 
understanding of how the State's criminal legal system policies and laws have been 
implemented; and
Whereas, criminal legal system data collection and data sharing has long impeded 
efforts to provide an accurate and comprehensive understanding of how the State's criminal 
legal system policies and laws have been implemented; and
Whereas, improving the State's ability to obtain an accurate and comprehensive 
understanding of how the State's criminal legal system policies and laws have been 
implemented requires analysis of how data is currently collected, stored and shared; now, 
therefore, be it
Sec. 1.  Independent study. Resolved:  That, within 30 days after the effective 
date of this resolve, the Department of Public Safety shall commission an independent 
study by contracting with an entity outside of State Government, referred to in this resolve 
as "the contracted entity," with experience and expertise in the collection and analysis of 
the State's criminal legal system data.  The independent study must include an analysis of 
how entities across the State's criminal legal system are currently collecting and storing 
criminal legal system data and identification of the specific barriers to obtaining an accurate 
and comprehensive understanding of how the State's criminal legal system policies and 
laws have been implemented.  The contracted entity shall develop recommendations for 
steps policymakers can take to address those barriers, including a multiphase plan with cost 
estimates if feasible.
Sec. 2.  Access to data collection systems. Resolved:  That municipal, county 
and state law enforcement agencies, the judicial branch, the Department of Corrections and 
county correctional facilities shall, to the extent possible, provide to the contracted entity 
reasonable access to data collection systems necessary to carry out the independent study 
under section 1.
Sec. 3.  Report; legislation authorized. Resolved:  That the contract entered into 
with the contracted entity must require the contracted entity to provide a report relating to 
the contracted entity's findings and recommendations to the Department of Public Safety 
by October 1, 2026.  By November 4, 2026, the department shall submit the report to the 
joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over criminal justice and 
public safety matters and judiciary matters.  Each of the joint standing committees may 
report out legislation based on the report to the 133rd Legislature in 2027.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Department of Public Safety to commission an independent 
study by contracting with an entity outside of State Government that will provide an 
analysis of the ways in which public entities in Maine with involvement in the criminal 
legal system currently collect and store criminal legal system data, identification of the 
barriers to achieving a comprehensive and accurate understanding of how criminal legal 
system laws and policies are being implemented and a multiphase plan to address those 
barriers.  The contract entered into with the contracted entity must require the contracted 
entity to provide a report to the Department of Public Safety by October 1, 2026.  By 
November 4, 2026, the department must submit the report to the joint standing committees 
of the Legislature having jurisdiction over criminal justice and public safety matters and 
judiciary matters.  Each of the joint standing committees may report out legislation based 
on the report to the 133rd Legislature in 2027.