CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

The 123rd Maine Legislature passed bills to reduce property tax costs and improve jail functionality by consolidating jail administrative functions and allowing people who are unable to pay fines to perform community service instead of serve jail time. The Legislature also passed a measure to curb the trend of scrap metal theft.

Summary of New Criminal Justice and Public Safety Laws Passed By The Maine Legislature In 2008

2080 – Reduce county property taxes and prison overcrowding by consolidating services of state and county corrections

Creates a state board responsible for collective purchasing, managing bed space, improving performance in recidivism reduction, pretrial diversion and the rate of incarceration

2202 - Allow a municipality to adopt a program to provide property tax benefits to senior citizens

Provides authority to municipalities to adopt property tax benefit programs for seniors who provide volunteer services for the town