Maine is one of the many US states working to enact comprehensive laws for consumer data privacy and protection.
In May 2023, Senator Lisa Kiem and Representative Maggie O'Neil introduced two bills, the Consumer Privacy Act (LD1973) and the Data Privacy and Protection Act (LD1977), to enact comprehensive data privacy laws, respectively.
However, in April 2024, these bills failed to get the desired votes and were reported as dead in the legislative process. These bills provide provisions regarding opt-out and opt-in consents, data subject rights, and controllers’ responsibilities, amongst other things.
Despite the failure of the 2023 bills, Maine continues to be active in shaping privacy legislation. The state has also made strides in regulating specific areas of consumer privacy, such as online consumer data and broadband provider practices. Maine’s Legislative Document 946, known as the ‘An Act to Protect the Privacy of Online Customer Information,’ imposes strict consent requirements for broadband providers before using, selling, or sharing customers’ personal information. This demonstrates Maine’s ongoing commitment to privacy protection, even though broader data privacy laws are still being developed.
Additionally, Maine’s existing Data Breach Law ensures that consumer data is safeguarded, and the Maine Attorney General plays a key role in enforcing compliance and holding organizations accountable for any violations.
Stay updated on legislative developments across the US with our US State Privacy Laws Tracker.
