An Act to Provide Law Enforcement Agencies with an Anti-sex-
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1695
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Sponsors: ARATA, BEEBE-CENTER
Amends: 17-A MRSA §18-A

Legislative Document
No. 1695
H.P. 1130
House of Representatives, April 17, 2025
An Act to Provide Law Enforcement Agencies with an Anti-sex-
trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Protocol
Reference to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative ARATA of New Gloucester.
Cosponsored by Senator BEEBE-CENTER of Knox and
Representatives: COPELAND of Saco, DODGE of Belfast, GRAMLICH of Old Orchard 
Beach, LOOKNER of Portland, NUTTING of Oakland, SARGENT of York, SUPICA of 
Bangor, ZAGER of Portland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  17-A MRSA §18-A is enacted to read:
§18-A.  Anti-sex-trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation protocol
A person who a law enforcement officer has reason to believe is experiencing or has 
experienced human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation must be treated in 
accordance with the anti-sex-trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation protocol, 
referred to in this section as "the protocol," adopted by the responding law enforcement 
agency under subsection 2.
1.  Law enforcement agency; definition.  As used in this section, unless the context 
otherwise indicates, "law enforcement agency" has the same meaning as in Title 25, section 
3701, subsection 1.
2.  Adoption of anti-sex-trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation protocol.  
This subsection governs the adoption of anti-sex-trafficking and commercial sexual 
exploitation protocols by law enforcement agencies. An anti-sex-trafficking and 
commercial sexual exploitation protocol must include information on anti-trafficking 
organizations; sexual assault organizations; domestic violence victim advocacy 
organizations; crisis services; mental health and substance use disorder professionals; 
emergency and transitional housing; and case management services.
A.  By January 1, 2026, the Department of Public Safety shall consult with relevant 
stakeholders, including anti-trafficking organizations, sexual assault organizations, 
domestic violence victim advocacy organizations and crisis services, to adopt a model 
anti-sex-trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation protocol.  Rules adopted 
pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, 
subchapter 2‑A.
B.  By March 1, 2026, all law enforcement agencies shall adopt anti-sex-trafficking 
and commercial sexual exploitation protocols. The protocol of a law enforcement 
agency may, but is not required to, conform to the protocol adopted by the Department 
of Public Safety.
3.  Law enforcement response to victim of human trafficking or commercial 
sexual exploitation.  A law enforcement officer who responds to a call regarding or 
encounters a person who the law enforcement officer has reason to believe is experiencing 
or has experienced human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation shall inquire 
whether the person is experiencing or has experienced human trafficking or commercial 
sexual exploitation. If the person affirms as experiencing or having experienced human 
trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation, the law enforcement officer shall respond to 
the person using the anti-sex-trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation protocol 
adopted by the officer's law enforcement agency as required under subsection 2.
SUMMARY
This bill directs the Department of Public Safety to adopt a model protocol for law 
enforcement agencies to adopt to treat a person who is experiencing or has experienced 
human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation.