ME LD504

Creates a new emergency parental rights and responsibilities order process allowing parties in divorce, legal separation, parentage, or custody proceedings to request ex parte orders when a child faces immediate and present risk of substantial harm to physical or emotional health or safety

Requires a sworn affidavit describing the conditions establishing risk to the child and efforts to notify the other party; emergency orders may include temporary custody allocation, parent-child contact conditions, and directives on child residence

Mandates a hearing within 21 days if an emergency order is issued; affected parties may file a motion to dissolve or modify the order before the scheduled hearing

Directs the Maine Commission on Domestic and Sexual Abuse to convene a working group to review judicial branch data on the new process for at least 2 years and submit a report to the Legislature by November 1, 2028

Takes effect January 1, 2026