ME LD592

Amends Maine's endangering the welfare of a child statute (17-A MRSA §554) to clarify that the mental state of "recklessness" applies to the violation of duty of care, rather than to the endangerment itself

Creates a new Class C crime when recklessly violating a duty of care or protection results in serious bodily injury to a child (upgraded from the base Class D offense)

Creates a new Class B crime when recklessly violating a duty of care or protection results in the death of a child

Maintains the existing Class D crime classification for endangering the welfare of a child when no serious bodily injury or death occurs

Referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety; sponsored by Senator Baldacci of Penobscot and cosponsored by Senator Rafferty of York