Maine Laws

Are Autopsy Reports Public in Maine? (2026 Guide)

Maine autopsy reports are not open public records. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner releases them to next of kin free and to others for a fee.

Common Law Marriage in Maine: Is It Recognized? (2026)

Maine has never recognized common law marriage. 19-A M.R.S. sec. 651 requires a license and solemnization. Learn what Maine does and does not recognize, and what rights cohabiting couples have.

How Long Is a Life Sentence in Maine? (2026 Guide)

Complete guide to life sentences in Maine: parole eligibility, LWOP rules, notable cases, recent legislative changes, and sentencing statutes. Updated March 2026.

How to Find a Cause of Death in Maine (2026 Guide)

How to find someone's cause of death in Maine: it is recorded on the medical certification of the death certificate, which is restricted to eligible family for 25 years.

How to Get a Maine Death Certificate (2026)

Get a Maine death certificate from the Office of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics. The first certified copy costs $15.00 and each additional copy is $6.00.

Maine AI Laws and Regulation (2026)

Guide to Maine AI laws, regulation, and legislation covering deepfakes, employment AI, healthcare AI, and more.

Maine AI Meeting Recording Laws: One-Party Consent and Class C Penalties

Maine one-party consent law permits AI meeting recording with one participant's consent. Class C crime penalties include up to 5 years in prison and $5,000 fine.

Maine At-Will Employment Laws: Exceptions and Your Rights

Is Maine an at-will state? Yes. Learn Maine's exceptions: implied contract (yes), public-policy tort (no), good faith (no), RTW status, and your rights.

Maine Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties (2026)

Learn Maine audio recording laws under 15 M.R.S.A. § 710. One-party consent allows recording your own calls and conversations. Penalties and private places exception.

Maine Background Check Laws (2026 Guide)

Maine background check laws: Ban the Box, lookback periods, Clean Slate, employer and housing checks.

Maine Biometric Privacy Laws: Facial Recognition Ban & Pending Protections (2026)

Maine bans government facial recognition and may soon protect biometric data under LD 1822. Learn what laws exist today and what is pending for 2026.

Maine Car Accident Laws: Fault, Insurance, and Your Claim

Maine is an at-fault state with modified comparative fault (50% bar), 50/100/25 minimums, mandatory UM/UIM, and a generous 6-year injury filing deadline.

Maine Car Seat Laws: Requirements and Guidelines

Maine car seat laws require rear-facing seats until age 2, booster seats until age 8 or 57 inches, and back seat riding until age 12. Learn fines and rules.

Maine Child Custody Laws (2026): Parental Rights and Responsibilities Explained

Maine decides child custody as 'parental rights and responsibilities' using 19 best-interests factors. No 50/50 presumption. Learn the law, types, modification, and relocation rules.

Maine Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator

Maine uses the income shares model under 19-A M.R.S. §2006. Learn how support is calculated, modified, and enforced, plus use the online calculator.

Maine Dashcam Laws: Mounting Rules, Audio Recording, and Evidence (2026)

Maine Data Breach Notification Laws: Reporting Rules & Timelines (2026)

Maine requires data breach notification within 30 days. Learn who must comply, what triggers notification, encryption safe harbors, and penalties under state law.

Maine Data Privacy Laws: ISP Privacy & Consumer Rights (2026)

Complete guide to Maine data privacy laws including the ISP privacy law (35-A MRSA 9301), breach notification requirements, the pending Consumer Data Privacy Act, and employee monitoring rules.

Maine Death Records: Are They Public and How to Get Them

Maine is a closed-record state: only family and authorized parties can get a certified death certificate until 25 years after death, when records become public.

Maine Deepfake Laws: AI Images, Voice Cloning & Penalties (2026)

Maine criminalizes AI-generated intimate deepfakes under 17-A § 511-A (amended 2025) and AI-CSAM under PL 2025 c. 719. Election ads with synthetic media require disclosure from July 29, 2026. Federal TAKE IT DOWN Act applies.

Maine Defamation Laws: Libel, Slander & Suing (2026)

Maine defamation laws explained: a two-year deadline to sue (14 M.R.S. 753), the new UPEPA anti-SLAPP statute, defamation per se categories, and damages.

Maine Divorce Laws (2026): Grounds, Residency, and Process

Maine divorce laws explained: no-fault irreconcilable differences, no separation required, 60-day waiting period, equitable distribution, and how to file.

Maine Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights

Learn Maine dog bite laws under 7 M.R.S. § 3961, including strict liability rules, comparative fault, dangerous dog penalties, and the 6-year statute of limitations.

Maine Emancipation Laws: How to Get Emancipated in Maine (2026)

Maine allows minors aged 16 and older to petition the District Court for emancipation under 15 M.R.S. § 3506-A. Learn the process, requirements, and rights emancipation grants in Maine.

Maine Expungement Laws: Record Sealing Under 15 M.R.S. § 2261 et seq.

Maine does not offer general expungement of adult convictions. Learn who qualifies for Maine's narrow criminal record sealing law, the 4-year waiting period, and which offenses are excluded.

Maine GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026)

Is it legal to put a GPS tracker on a car in Maine? Secret tracking can be criminal stalking under 17-A MRS 210-A. Penalties, exceptions, and what to do.

Maine Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do

Learn Maine hit and run laws under Title 29-A. Understand Class C felony and misdemeanor penalties, reporting requirements, and your obligations after an accident.

Maine Landlord-Tenant Laws (2026): Deposits, Notice, and Tenant Rights

Maine landlord-tenant laws: 2-month deposit cap, 21-day return deadline, 4% late-fee limit, repair-and-deduct, and Portland rent control explained.

Maine Landlord-Tenant Recording Laws: Cameras, Audio, and Privacy Rights (2026)

Maine Laws on Recording in Public: Your Complete Guide (2026)

Maine Laws on Recording Police: Your Rights and Limits (2026)

Maine Lemon Law (2026): How to Qualify & Get a Refund

Maine lemon law covers new vehicles within 3 years or 18,000 miles. Learn the 3-attempt presumption, free AG arbitration, refund vs. replacement, and the mileage offset formula.

Maine Medical Recording Laws: Patient Rights, HIPAA, and Consent (2026)

Learn Maine medical recording laws. Patients can record doctor visits under one-party consent (15 M.R.S. 709-710). HIPAA rules, telehealth, and evidence guide.

Maine Medical Records Retention Laws (2026 Guide)

Maine medical records retention laws: how long hospitals and doctors keep your records, HIPAA rules, and patient rights.

Maine Phone Call Recording Laws: Consent Rules for Cell, Landline, and VoIP (2026)

Maine Power of Attorney Laws: Durable, Medical, and Financial POA (2026)

Maine Power of Attorney Laws: durable POA is the default under 18-C M.R.S. 5-904, execution requires notarization (5-905), and health care directives are governed separately by the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act (5-801 et seq.).

Maine Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent, § 710 and § 511

Maine is a one-party consent state under 15 M.R.S. § 710, with an all-party rule for private places under § 511. Learn the penalties, police-recording rights, and 2025 AI updates.

Maine Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Protection from Abuse Order

Learn how to get a Maine Protection from Abuse (PFA) or Protection from Harassment order: who qualifies, how long it lasts, filing steps, and firearm rules.

Maine Ring Doorbell Laws: What You Need to Know in 2026

Maine is a one-party consent state with specific Ring doorbell camera rules. Learn about audio recording laws, video privacy limits, HOA rules, and penalties.

Maine School Recording Laws: Student, Parent, and Teacher Rights (2026)

Maine Security Camera Laws: Home, Business, and HOA Rules (2026)

Maine Self-Defense Laws: Duty to Retreat & Castle Doctrine (2026)

Maine is NOT a stand-your-ground state. 17-A M.R.S. § 108 imposes a duty to retreat, with one exception: no retreat required inside your own dwelling if you were not the aggressor. No civil immunity. Updated 2026.

Maine Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties

Learn about Maine sexting laws, penalties for minors and adults, the Romeo and Juliet exception, revenge porn statutes, and what to do if charged.

Maine Slip and Fall Laws: Proving Premises Liability

Maine slip and fall law: 6-year SOL, modified-50 comparative fault, no open-and-obvious bar, no natural-accumulation shield, 365-day government notice deadline.

Maine Smart Glasses Recording Laws: What You Need to Know

Maine is a one-party consent state. You can record audio of any conversation you participate in with smart glasses. Learn what the law allows and prohibits.

Maine Spousal Support (Alimony) Laws: How It Works (2026)

Maine Squatters Rights and Adverse Possession Laws (2026)

Maine requires 20 years of continuous adverse possession to claim land under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 801. Learn the elements, removal process, and 2026 updates.

Maine Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type

Maine statute of limitations for civil and criminal cases: filing deadlines for personal injury, contracts, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and felonies.

Maine Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)

Maine surveillance camera laws explained: home security cameras, workplace monitoring, hidden cameras, audio recording consent, neighbor disputes, and penalties.

Maine Video Recording Laws: Public Filming, Private Property, and Consent (2026)

Maine Voyeurism Laws: Hidden Cameras, Penalties, and Defenses (2026)

Maine Whistleblower Laws: Protections and How to Report

Learn about Maine's whistleblower protections: who qualifies, how to report violations, retaliation protections, and available remedies.

Maine Window Tint Laws (2026): Legal VLT Limits

Maine requires 35% VLT on front side windows. Rear windows may be any darkness with dual mirrors. Learn fines, medical exemptions, and inspection rules.

Maine Windshield Mounting Laws (2026 Guide)

Maine windshield mounting laws explained. Learn what 29-A MRSA 2082 allows, the hands-free single-touch rule, penalties, and exemptions.

Maine Workers' Compensation Laws: Benefits, Deadlines, and Your Rights

Maine workers' comp pays 80% of after-tax AWW. Learn filing deadlines, doctor-choice rules, and your rights under Maine's Workers' Compensation Act.

Maine Workplace Recording Laws: Employee and Employer Rights (2026)