LD 1335 would substantially change Maine sentencing law by prohibiting courts from imposing life sentences for crimes under the Maine Criminal Code beginning January 1, 2026. It also bars courts from imposing a “term of years equivalent to imprisonment for life,” which the bill defines as a sentence that, based on the defendant’s age and other factors, is reasonably expected to keep the person incarcerated for the rest of their life. The bill applies broadly to criminal code offenses and would require courts to set a definite term of years instead of a life term for covered offenses committed on or after the effective date.
The bill also makes targeted changes to existing murder and aggravated attempted murder sentencing provisions. For those offenses committed before January 1, 2026, current life-sentence language would remain available; for offenses committed on or after that date, the court would have to impose a definite term of years rather than life imprisonment. For murder, the bill preserves a minimum sentence of 25 years, but removes the option of life imprisonment or a life-equivalent term. For aggravated attempted murder, it similarly removes life sentencing and requires a definite term of years.
In practical terms, LD 1335 would amend Maine’s criminal sentencing statutes to eliminate life imprisonment as a sentencing option for future convictions under the Criminal Code, while leaving pre-2026 cases subject to existing law. It would affect judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, and the Department of Corrections by changing the range of lawful sentences and the way long sentences are structured and reviewed. The bill’s definition of life-equivalent sentencing is intended to prevent courts from using lengthy term-of-years sentences that function as de facto life sentences.
The available voting history suggests the bill faced strong opposition. On March 27, 2025, the House voted 137-2 to table the bill until later, indicating that only a very small minority supported immediate advancement. No committee transcript is available, so the record does not show detailed debate, but the vote outcome strongly suggests broad reluctance to move forward with eliminating life sentences.
The main point of contention is the policy choice between abolishing life imprisonment and preserving it for the most serious crimes. Supporters, as reflected in the bill title and structure, appear to favor ending life sentences and de facto life terms altogether, while opponents likely view life imprisonment as an important punishment option for the most serious violent offenses such as murder. The bill’s broad reach, including its application to all Criminal Code offenses after 2026, likely contributes to its controversy.
LD 1335 would amend Maine’s criminal sentencing statutes to prohibit life imprisonment and life-equivalent sentences for crimes under the Maine Criminal Code committed on or after January 1, 2026. It would revise existing murder and aggravated attempted murder sentencing provisions, preserve current law for offenses committed before that date, and require courts to impose definite terms of years instead of life terms. The bill would directly affect sentencing practices in criminal courts and the authority of judges to impose the harshest available penalties.
The limited available evidence points to overwhelmingly negative or at least highly skeptical sentiment in the House. The bill was tabled by a 137-2 vote, which indicates that very few members were prepared to advance it at that stage. Because there are no committee transcripts, there is no recorded detailed discussion, but the vote suggests the proposal did not have broad legislative support at the time of consideration.
The central controversy is whether Maine should eliminate life sentences entirely, including for murder and aggravated attempted murder, or retain them as a punishment option for the most serious crimes. Supporters of the bill appear to be focused on abolishing both literal life sentences and de facto life sentences, while opponents likely object to removing judicial discretion and limiting punishment for the most serious violent offenses. The bill’s broad application to all Criminal Code offenses after 2026, not just homicide-related crimes, likely makes it more contentious.