123rd MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1873		LR 1001(02)
	An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Stalking
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "     "
	Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Current biennium cost increase - General Fund
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements
	This legislation expands the scope of prohibited conduct and aggravating factors of an offense as it relates to a Class D crime, elevating it to a Class C crime if the actor has prior convictions.  This will increase the average length of stay by 1 year and 4 months (486 days) and must be served in a state correctional facility.  The average increased cost to the state for each occurrence is $50,165.  The Judicial Department indicates that increasing minimum sentences by "assigning special weight " could require additional judicial resources for processing these cases. However, this bill could also prevent escalating violence and result in a reduction of trial days and needed resources.   The net effect should be minimal on the Judicial Department.