Lawmakers weigh bill to centralize victims92 complaints in AG92s office and strengthen subpoena protections

Representative Lori Gramlich introduced LD 2163, a bill intended to create a standardized, centralized complaint process in the Maine Attorney General92s Office so crime victims can report alleged violations of their statutory rights and receive meaningful responses. "This bill is grounded in a simple but critical principle," Gramlich said, noting that rights without a remedy are hollow.

What's in the bill: LD 2163 would permit the AG92s office to receive victim complaints, open inquiries and issue nonbinding recommendations; it would require agencies to respond within 30 days and produce biennial reports beginning in 2029 about complaint patterns and outcomes. The bill clarifies victim notice requirements and aims to ensure victims receive timely notice and an opportunity to be heard when subpoenas seek medical, mental-health or educational records.

Why advocates support it: Domestic-violence and sexual-assault coalitions, legal-aid attorneys and victim-advocacy groups testified the state lacks consistent remedies when victims92 statutory rights are not respected. Pine Tree Legal Assistance and the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault said courts have at times allowed wide subpoenas for victim records without adequate notice or an opportunity for victims to challenge breadth or privacy impacts.

Limits and safeguards: Sponsors stressed the bill is not a vehicle to overturn criminal dispositions or to create a private cause of action; instead it provides a nonjudicial oversight and remediation route and promotes transparency through reporting. The committee was directed to a draft amendment clarifying confidentiality protections and the scope of review.

Next steps: Advocates and the AG92s office will work with the committee on technical language and the proposed amendment prior to the work session.