Resolve, To Ensure More Comprehensive Investigation and Prosecution of Computer Crimes

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,   in order for the State to combat the serious problem of child pornography and the related crime of child sexual abuse through the seizure and forensic evaluation of computers, adequate state resources and staff must be dedicated for that purpose; and

Whereas,   in order to ensure that the Department of Public Safety has the forensic examiners and equipment necessary to aggressively address the proliferation of computer crimes against children, a review and assessment of the current resources and workload must be conducted immediately for the purpose of appropriating additional resources if needed; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Review by the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety. Resolved: That during the First Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety shall review and assess the current computer crimes resources appropriated to the computer crimes unit of the Department of Public Safety. The committee shall determine what impact the 2 new Computer Crimes Forensic Analyst positions and equipment, pursuant to Public Law 2005, chapter 676, have had on the backlog of computer crimes cases and whether additional positions and resources are necessary to aggressively address the proliferation of computer crimes, especially those against children. If necessary, upon completing the review, the committee may introduce legislation to implement its recommendations. The review and any proposed legislation must be completed by June 15, 2007.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.