AUGUSTA – A bill from Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio, D-Sanford, to improve child safety was signed into law by Governor Janet Mills on May 9 after being enacted by the Maine House and Senate “under the hammer,” or by unanimous consent.
The new law requires that a person who knowingly shelters a missing or runaway child for more than 24 hours without the consent of the missing child’s parent or guardian must provide information regarding the child’s location and condition to a law enforcement officer if contacted and asked about the child. A person who violates this provision would be subject to a civil penalty up to $250.
“I am very excited that my bill was signed into law earlier this month,” said Mastraccio. “The new law will work to create transparency for parents and guardians about the whereabouts of their child, by letting them know that their child is safe without requiring the child to return home before they’re ready.”
The text of the new law can be found here.
Rep. Mastraccio is serving her sixth non-consecutive term in the Maine House of Representatives, where she serves the communities of Sanford and Springvale. She is the House chair of the Government Oversight Committee, and she also serves on the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Mastraccio) | 305-965-2744