25 M.R.S. §2808-B: Accessibility of policies and procedures

1. Publishing of policies and procedures. Except as provided by subsection 4, by January 1, 2027, a law enforcement agency shall publish and make publicly available in clear and understandable language the agency's policies and procedures required under section 2803‑B, including:

A. A summary of each key policy of the agency;

B. A comprehensive list of agency rules and guidelines governing law enforcement officer conduct, including any updates or revisions; and

C. Contact information for a member of the public to request access to information under paragraph A or B.

2. Format and accessibility. A law enforcement agency shall publish the information in subsection 1 in a manner that clearly labels the information as the agency's policies and procedures and states the date the policies and procedures were published. The information must be made available:

A. On a publicly accessible website in a readable format that allows the information to be downloaded. The information must be located on the agency's main website or a dedicated section of the website with no technical barriers preventing public access, including requiring a password or a fee; or

B. In a printed paper copy format accessible at the agency's headquarters or principal location of operations. A law enforcement agency that makes available printed paper copies under this paragraph shall make available during normal business hours to a member of the public a paper copy of the agency's policies and procedures under subsection 1 within 7 business days of the member's request. If a paper copy of the policies and procedures is not made available to a requesting member of the public within 7 business days of the request, the law enforcement agency shall inform the member of the public when the paper copy will be made available.

3. Agency compliance. No later than January 1st of each year, the chief administrative officer of a law enforcement agency shall certify to the board that the agency is in compliance with this section and section 2803‑B, subsection 8.

4. Dissemination of intelligence and investigative record information prohibited. A law enforcement agency may not disseminate a record that contains intelligence and investigative record information that is confidential in accordance with Title 16, section 804.

5. Payment of costs. A law enforcement agency that provides printed paper copies of policies and procedures pursuant to subsection 2, paragraph B may charge a reasonable fee for the costs of producing the policies and procedures in accordance with Title 1, section 408‑A.