ME LD1811

Courts must accept e-mail filing of all documents in protection from abuse cases and most documents in protection from harassment cases, with documents submitted in court-approved file formats to designated e-mail addresses

No filing fee may be charged for complaints alleging domestic or dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, sex trafficking, or unlawful dissemination of private images

Electronic signatures are valid without notarization if accompanied by a sworn declaration acknowledging perjury penalties of up to 5 years in prison and $5,000 fine

Complaints and motions to extend filed by e-mail before 3:00 p.m. on business days must be reviewed by a judicial officer the same day; those filed after 3:00 p.m. must be reviewed the next business day

Opposing parties must respond to e-mailed motions to continue within 3 days, and the court must arrange law enforcement service of complaints and extension motions filed electronically