Maine Debates if Some Criminal Records Should Be Hidden from the Public

There's a hot-button topic heating up in Augusta: a new bill (L.D. 1911) is looking to automatically seal certain misdemeanor criminal records — meaning they’d no longer show up in background checks for jobs, housing, or school. The Portland Press Herald reports the bill was introduced by Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross and has bipartisan support.

Right now, Mainers with eligible convictions can ask a judge to seal their records — but it takes time, money, and knowing that the process even exists. The Portland Press Herald also stated that according to a report by the Criminal Records Review Committee in 2023, only 14 people filed motions to seal records (out of 14,300 misdemeanor convictions), and just 8 of those were approved.

So what would change? If this bill passes, eligible misdemeanor records (like shoplifting or disorderly conduct) would be sealed automatically — no paperwork, no court date. But not everything would be included. Convictions for sexual assault, stalking, and animal cruelty are off the table.

Supporters so far are saying this gives people a real second chance after they’ve served their time. Basically saying, why should someone’s dumb mistake at 20 still cost them jobs at 40?

Then there those on the opposing side that are worried that sealing too many records could mean we’re in the dark about who we’re hiring, renting to, or even dating — and that it might make it harder to know if the justice system is actually working fairly.

It’s a classic tug-of-war: public safety vs. second chances. Maine isn’t the first to try this — Pennsylvania, California, and 10 other states already have similar laws.