Maine civil legal aid system faces funding crisis, advocates urge legislative action
PORTLAND (WGME) -- Advocates for Maine's civil legal aid system gathered at the State House Thursday to support a bill aimed at increasing funding for civil legal services.
They say the system is facing a funding crisis that could leave many low-income Mainers without representation.
"It's a turning point, a crisis point, a tipping point for civil legal services here at the legislature today," Maine Associate Justice Andrew Mead said.
Mead joined civil law advocates during "Access to Justice Day," emphasizing the need for legislative approval of additional funding.
"There was an appropriation to help fund some of the need, but that runs out, and if that runs out, not only will we lose going forward, but we will actually take a step backwards," Mead said.
Ellen Gorman, a retired Associate Justice of Maine's Supreme Judicial Court, highlighted the potential impact on vulnerable Mainers.
"Whether they are trying to get child support from an abusive spouse or trying to get a protection order against a rogue boyfriend or simply trying to get what they were entitled to from the school department, they were there without lawyers, and as a result, they were simply not as effective as they could or should be," Gorman said. "Law is complex, the rules of procedure and the rules of evidence are also complex, and if you come to court without being fluent in law or in the rules of procedure, it’s very difficult to know what to say or how to say it, and the result is that the court has to work twice as hard to get the information that it needs to make the right decision."
- Also read: Maine House passes bill to affirm Maine Human Rights Act protections in state constitution
Jeff Stanley, a client representative of Pine Tree Legal Assistance, noted the impact of civil legal issues on homelessness.
"Homelessness is something that gets impacted by civil legal issues," Stanley said. "About 83 percent of people that go to court for these evictions go to court without any representation. That slows down the system, number one, and number two, oftentimes these people don’t have the expertise to know what has gone on in the past with the landlord that may be doing something that isn’t legal and causing them an adverse reaction, and these people end up homeless."
Following the meeting, many of the civil law advocates attended a public hearing for LD 1022. The proposed legislation addresses funding concerns by calling for increased ongoing funding for civil legal services, public hearings and recommendations to ensure the money doesn't run out. The measure seeks to invest $6.4 million in 2026 and $9.5 million in 2027, aiming to ensure low-income individuals continue to receive the representation they need.
