In one paragraph
Maine's 2021 facial surveillance law (25 MRSA §6001) generally prohibits government departments, public employees and officials from obtaining, using or contracting for facial surveillance systems, defined as automated or semi-automated processes that identify people from facial characteristics. Limited exceptions allow searches for serious crimes with probable cause, missing or deceased persons and BMV fraud, but requests must go through the BMV or State Police, which log them. A facial match alone cannot establish probable cause, and illegally obtained data must be deleted and is inadmissible.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
Vendors of facial recognition services cannot contract with Maine state or local agencies to run facial surveillance outside the statute's narrow exceptions.
Key provisions
- General ban on government obtaining, retaining, accessing, requesting or using facial surveillance systems or data derived from them
- Exceptions for serious-crime investigations with probable cause, identifying deceased or missing persons, and BMV duties
- In-state search requests must go to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles; FBI and out-of-state requests go through the State Police
- Facial surveillance results alone do not establish probable cause for arrest, search or seizure
- State Police and BMV must keep logs of requests; de-identified logs are public records
- Unlawfully obtained data must be deleted and is inadmissible; aggrieved persons may sue for injunctive or declaratory relief
Latest legislative action
Jul 1, 2021. Became law without the Governor's signature; Public Law 2021, chapter 394
Topics and industries
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error