Gov. Mills signs emergency public defense funding bill

By: Eesha Pendharkar

Outlets: Maine Morning Star

Published: March 18, 2026

Words: 538

Last Updated: 1 day, 16 hours ago

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Gov. Janet Mills on Thursday signed legislation to provide emergency relief for Maine’s underfunded public defense system, one day after it was unanimously approved by the Maine Senate.

The Maine Commission on Public Defense Services announced last week it had run out of money to pay its contracted attorneys due to a $13 million budget shortfall. Now into law, the emergency bill will make that funding available immediately upon adjournment, which is slated for …

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