An Act to Improve
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 0504
Committee Amendment CA_A_S79 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ",5 " to S.P. 222, L.D. 504, "An Act to Improve
Family Court Procedure"
Amend the bill in section 2 in §1653-B in subsection I in the 6th line (page I, line 25
in L.D,) by striking out the following; "physical or emotional"
Amend the bill in section 2 in §1653-B in subsection 2 in paragraph A in the last line
(page 1, line 30 in L.D.) by striking out the following; "physical or emotional"
Amend the bill in section 2 in §I653-B in subsection 3 in the 3rd and 4th lines (page
I, lines 36 and 37 in L,D,) by striking out the following: "physical or emotional"
Amend the bill by inserting after section 3 the following:
'See. 4. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and
allocations are made,
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
Courts - Supreme, Superior and District 0063
Initiative: Establishes one Judge position, one Deputy Marshal position and one Assistant
Clerk position effective January 1, 2026 and provides funding for related All Other costs,
GENERAL FUND 2025-26 2026-27
POSITIONS-LEGISLATIVE COUNT 3,000 3.000
2,6 Personal Services $192,895 $402,799
All Other $31,530 $15,930
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $224,425 $418,729
Courts - Supreme, Superior and District 0063
Initiative; Provides one-time funding for printing costs to update a Guide to Family
Separation in Maine.
GENERAL FUND 2025-26 2026-27
AIIOther $10,000 $0
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "^ " to S.P. 222, L.D.504 ( S""^^
^.os
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT TOTALS
GENERAL FUND
$10,000
2025-26
$234,425
$0
2026-27
$418,729
DEPARTMENT TOTAL-ALL FUNDS $234,425 $418,729
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconse.cutive Part letter or section
. number to read consecutively.
SUMMARY
This amendment changes the legal standard for issuing an ex parte emergency parental
rights order. Under the amendntent, the plaintiff must show that there is an immediate and
present risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of the child. It also adds an
appropriations and allocations section.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Approved: 03/18/25 1'KIL-
LD 504 LR 735(02)
An Act to Improve Family Court Procedure
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "/T / ^ ^
Committee; Judiciary
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Projections Projections
FY 2025-26 FY 2026-27 FY 2027-28 FY 2028-29
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $234,425 $418,729 $433,230 $448,253
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $234,425 $418,729 $433,230 $448,253
Fiscal Detail and Notes
Beginning January 1,2026, this bill authorizes a party to a family matter involving a child to file a motion requesting
that the court issue an ex parte emergency parental rights and responsibilities order under certain circumstances and
requires the court to hold a hearing 21 days after issuance on the need for continuation of the order.
The bill includes General Fund appropriations to the Judicial Department of $234,425 in fiscal year 2025-26 and
$418,729 in fiscal year 2026-27 to establish one Judge position, one Deputy Marshal position and one Assistant Clerk
position, effective January 1, 2026, to implemeut the aforementioned process.
Any additional costs to tlie Maine Commission on Domestic and Sexual Abuse associated with establishing a working
group to evaluate the efficacy of the process for tlie emergency parental rights and responsibilities order are expected
to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.
LR0735(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1