Press Releases

Advocates Respond to DOJ Investigation Finding Significant Failures in Maine’s Children’s Behavioral Health System

A Department of Justice investigation concludes that Maine's children's behavioral health system creates a significant risk of segregating and institutionalizing children with disabilities, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform

ACLU Comment on Supreme Court Decision in Carson v. Makin

The Supreme Court issued a ruling today in Carson v. Makin that requires the state of Maine to fund religious education at private religious schools as part of its tuition assistance program.

ACLU of Maine Lawsuit Challenging Indigent Defense System Survives Motion to Dismiss 

Maine Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy is allowing the ACLU of Maine to move forward with its constitutional challenge to Maine’s indigent defense system.
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform

A Message from Advocates for Maine LGBTQ+ Youth

All youth in Maine should be safe at school, including LGBTQ+ youth. This ought to be obvious. So we are all deeply disappointed to see that playbooks used in other states that fearmonger about transgender young people in our communities have made their way to Maine.

Governor Mills Signs Good Samaritan Expansion into Law

Advocates say LD 1862 is one of the strongest Good Samaritan laws in the country.
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform

ACLU of Maine Statement on Leaked Draft Supreme Court Opinion

Abortion is still legal in Maine, regardless of the leaked draft opinion.
Issue Areas: Reproductive Freedom

State Agrees to Return Unemployment Benefits Seized from Incarcerated Workers 

The class action settlement also recognizes that incarcerated people have a constitutionally protected property interest in their prison accounts.
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform

Governor Mills Will Not Veto Amended Good Samaritan Expansion 

Recovery advocates and Governor Janet Mills have reached an agreement to expand Maine’s Good Samaritan law.
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform

Maine House Fails to Advance Bill to Promote Civil Liberties on Roadways

The Maine House has failed to advance a modest bill that would have promoted racial justice and civil liberties on Maine's roadways by decriminalizing minor traffic violations.
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform