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Maine bill seeks uniform process for Giglio/credibility disclosures; police groups split on scope
Summary
Rep. Adam Lee introduced LD 16 71 to define credibility information and set notice, input and removal procedures when prosecutors consider disclosing officer impeachment material. Maine Chiefs backed the measure as balanced; rank‑and‑file law‑enforcement groups and a coalition opposed it as overbroad and administratively burdensome.
Representative Adam Lee presented LD 16 71 to create a statutory framework for handling law‑enforcement credibility information (Brady/Giglio material). The proposal would define what must be tracked, require agencies and prosecutors to adopt written policies, give officers notice and an opportunity to respond when disclosure is contemplated, allow an in‑camera superior‑court review, and provide a mechanism to petition for removal of demonstrably false information.
The Maine Chiefs of Police Association supported the bill as balancing prosecutors' constitutional obligations with officers' due process and as bringing consistency across counties. Chief Jason Mullen said the measure would define categories such as findings of untruthfulness, tampering evidence, or patterns of bias and would provide a process for removing inaccurate information.
Opponents — represented by the Maine Law Enforcement Coalition and unions — argued the draft is too broad, risks disclosure of unproven allegations and media claims, undermines officer due process, creates heavy administrative burdens across jurisdictions and could chill proactive policing. Julie Ann Smith of the coalition said the bill "goes far beyond" existing constitutional and statutory duties and urged the committee to allow more negotiation between stakeholders.
Committee members queried whether criminal‑defense counsel had been included in drafting and asked parties to pursue compromise ahead of the work session. The committee indicated it would solicit more detail on current disclosure practice and seek stakeholder meetings before further action.
