The August 11 public hearing has concluded. Maine DOC continues to list Chapter 10, Section 20.1 among its recently proposed rules, and written comments remain open through 4:00 p.m. on August 21, 2026. The proposal has not been adopted.
What changed
Maine Department of Corrections is moving Chapter 10, Section 20.1, Adult Resident Discipline, through formal rulemaking. The Department held the scheduled public hearing on August 11. The next immediate milestone is the close of written comments on August 21.
The agency's formal rulemaking notice describes the proposal as an amendment intended to allow residents to engage in certain financial transactions without committing a disciplinary violation and to make clarifications to the rule. Maine DOC's broader 2025–2026 regulatory agenda had identified Section 20.1 for repeal and replacement as part of an update to the adult discipline policy.
What the proposed rule covers
The proposed text governs discipline for adults in Maine DOC facilities under 34-A M.R.S.A. § 3032. It addresses disciplinary violations and sanctions as well as the procedures used to investigate, resolve, hear, document and appeal alleged violations.
The proposed framework includes:
- informal resolution of eligible rule violations;
- formal disciplinary proceedings;
- investigation and disciplinary-report procedures;
- hearing notification and counsel substitutes;
- witnesses, exhibits and hearing decisions;
- sanction recommendations and decisions;
- disciplinary appeals; and
- defined violation classes and available sanctions.
The proposed text also states that the discipline policy may apply to residents who are outside a Department facility while still under Department authority, including during furlough, community-transition release, work crews, transport, hospital or health-care visits, court appearances and certain off-grounds activities.
Why Maine is revisiting the rule
Maine DOC's 2025–2026 regulatory agenda identified Chapter 10, Section 20.1 as a rule scheduled for repeal and replacement to update the adult discipline policy. The agenda identifies 34-A M.R.S.A. § 3032 as the statutory basis, lists adults in Department custody and adult-facility staff among the affected parties, and anticipated action before October 1, 2026.
The current rulemaking notice is more specific about the immediate proposal: it identifies changes involving certain resident financial transactions and additional clarifications. The proposed rule itself remains a comprehensive adult-resident-discipline framework.
Current status
The rule is not final. As of August 13, Maine DOC continues to classify Section 20.1 as a recently proposed rule and lists no recently adopted rule for this matter.
Written comments may be submitted through 4:00 p.m. on August 21, 2026. After the comment period closes, the Department may consider the record before deciding whether to adopt the proposal, revise it, delay further action or take another rulemaking step.
OACRA will watch for closure of the comment period, revisions to the proposed language, agency responses or other rulemaking filings, final adoption, an effective date, or withdrawal of the proposal.
Why it matters
Correctional discipline rules shape how institutional violations are investigated, resolved, adjudicated, sanctioned and appealed. Changes to those procedures can affect facility operations, resident procedural protections, staff responsibilities and the administrative record created through the disciplinary process.
Because the proposal remains under review, the proposed language should not be treated as a final adopted rule. Anyone relying on the rule for legal, operational or individual case purposes should confirm the current status with Maine DOC or the State's official rulemaking records.
Primary sources
- Maine Department of Corrections — Policies and Rules: current proposed-rule status, hearing and comment deadline.
- Maine DOC — Proposed Chapter 10, Section 20.1: proposed Adult Resident Discipline rule text.
- Maine DOC — MAPA-3 Notice of Agency Rulemaking Proposal: formal proposal notice and comment information.
- Maine DOC — 2025–2026 Regulatory Agenda: planned update to Chapter 10, Section 20.1.
- Maine Legislature — 34-A M.R.S. § 3032: statutory authority for resident discipline rules.
