AUGUSTA — Today, July 15, and on July 20, various bills relating to government accountability, female prisoners and reclassifying certain offenses are under review by the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety. This Legislative committee is one of the few that is meeting again for work sessions at the Capitol.

The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee consists of Maine senators and representatives, including Rep. Pinny Beebe-Center, D-Rockland.

The committee began meeting last month, discussing a variety of reports and bills, include an act to reform the criminal justice system.

The bills under review this week and next week are:

(L.D. 1890) Bill "An Act To Improve Prisoner Transport Safety by Specifically Authorizing Transport of Prisoners by Transport Officers" (HP1356) (Presented by Representative FARNSWORTH, D. of Portland) (Cosponsored by Senator SANBORN, H. of Cumberland, Senator CHIPMAN, B. of Cumberland, Representative NADEAU, C. of Winslow, Representative CRAVEN, M. of Lewiston, Representative KESCHL, D. of Belgrade, Representative PEBWORTH, S. of Blue Hill, Representative INGWERSEN, H. of Arundel, Representative BRENNAN, M. of Portland, Representative MCCREA, D. of Fort Fairfield) Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 203.

(L.D. 2037) Bill "An Act To Amend the Maine Criminal Code" (HP1447)

(L.D. 2139) Bill "An Act To Increase Government Accountability" (HP1527) (Presented by Representative WARREN, C. of Hallowell) (Cosponsored by Senator BELLOWS, S. of Kennebec, President JACKSON, T. of Aroostook, Senator GUERIN, S. of Penobscot, Senator DESCHAMBAULT, S. of York, Representative BEEBE-CENTER, P. of Rockland, Speaker GIDEON, S. of Freeport, Representative ANDREWS, J. of Paris) Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 205.

Beebe-Center described the bill, as summarized by Meagan Sway, Policy Counsel for American Civil Liberties Union of Maine: "This law would just allow citizens, journalists, and watchdog groups to ask the police about surveillance technology being used. It doesn't get in the way of any ongoing investigations, and it doesn't allow for the release of information that is otherwise confidential under the law. But it does say that the government should not be mandated by its own laws to hide what technology it is using on its own people."

July 20, 10 a.m.

(L.D. 1422) Bill "An Act Regarding Conditions in Correctional Facilities for Female Prisoners" (HP1035) (Presented by Representative TALBOT ROSS, R. of Portland) (Cosponsored by Senator MOORE, M. of Washington, Representative MORALES, V. of South Portland, Representative MCCREIGHT, J. of Harpswell, Representative DAUGHTRY, M. of Brunswick, Representative FECTEAU, J. of Augusta, Representative CRAVEN, M. of Lewiston, Representative GRIFFIN, A. of Levant, Representative O'CONNOR, B. of Berwick, Representative JAVNER, K. of Chester)

(L.D. 2085) Bill "An Act To Ensure Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Care and Education in All Maine's Jails and State Correctional and Detention Facilities" (HP1486) (Presented by Representative TALBOT ROSS, R. of Portland) (Cosponsored by Senator MOORE, M. of Washington, Senator CLAXTON, N. of Androscoggin, Senator MILLETT, R. of Cumberland, Senator DESCHAMBAULT, S. of York, President JACKSON, T. of Aroostook, Representative CARNEY, A. of Cape Elizabeth, Representative PERRY, A. of Calais, Representative HYMANSON, P. of York, Representative EVANGELOS, J. of Friendship) Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 203.

This bill, said Rep. Jeffrey Evangelos, I-Friendship: “Is an effort to provide basic health care and education to women and people with a uterus while they are serving a period of incarceration. It includes a guarantee to all menstrual products while incarcerated and provides educational opportunities around reproductive health, as well as prenatal and post natal health care. Given that many incarcerated women come from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, I supported this legislation because it  will provide essential educational information to people experiencing a hard time in their lives and will help them develop healthy choices upon release. The bill has bi-partisan support.

(L.D. 2043) Bill "An Act To Reclassify Certain Offenses under the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Laws and Motor Vehicle Laws and Increase the Efficiency of the Criminal Justice System

" (HP1454) (Presented by Representative WARREN, C. of Hallowell) (Cosponsored by Senator DESCHAMBAULT, S. of York, Representative DUNPHY, M. of Old Town, Representative COREY, P. of Windham, Representative MORALES, V. of South Portland, Representative BEEBE-CENTER, P. of Rockland, Representative EVANGELOS, J. of Friendship, Representative PICKETT, R. of Dixfield, Representative COSTAIN, D. of Plymouth, Representative RECKITT, L. of South Portland) Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 203.