Committee tables bill to standardize no‑trespass notices for state property, seeks clarifications

The Judiciary Committee tabled LD 2150 following an extensive work session exploring how state entities restrict public access to property or services. Sponsor Senator Nicole Vrochowski pressed the committee to decide whether to standardize issuance procedures, require factual bases in notices and build a mechanism for judicial review when restrictions extend past 90 days.

Eli Murphy of OPLA summarized the bill: it would prohibit state entities from restricting access to state property or services for more than 90 days without filing a protection‑from‑harassment complaint through the Department of Public Safety, and it would require notices to state the factual basis for the restriction.

Major Tyler Stevenson of the Maine State Police told the committee state police have statewide authority to issue no‑trespass warnings and could act on a local department’s investigation if provided facts, but said immediate local issuance can be more practical in an ongoing incident. He agreed that including factual basis in notices for state properties was reasonable and suggested a shorter default for state facilities than the current one‑year Capitol Police practice.

Sponsor Vrochowski framed implementation choices: require standardized factual language on orders; require agencies to notify other law enforcement when an order affects multiple state properties; and consider whether the State Police or issuing agency should be the central point for statewide enforcement. Committee members also raised concerns about higher education campuses, prisons and existing judicial protections.

The committee moved to table the bill for further drafting and consensus building; the motion carried unanimously among members present.