FEBRUARY 2026 newsletter

A Message From KATE

Dear Friends,


My name is Kate Reagan. I am a person in long-term recovery and someone who is system impacted. Since my reentry from incarceration in 2016, I have built a life I once believed was out of reach. For years, I was seen as the person who would never get well, who couldn’t stay off the streets or out of jails. That changed when I entered recovery. Slowly, the promises I heard at the end of 12-step meetings began to come true. With each right choice I made, doors opened. I followed that path, discovered how my lived experience could be a strength, and built a career rooted in helping others. Today, I have the honor of serving you as the Operations Director for ME-RAP.

I am also a mother, a homeowner, a degree holder, and someone who has spent the last decade giving back to my community. While my life looks different now, my past record continues to follow me into places it doesn’t belong, including my children’s schools.

As a parent, I want to chaperone field trips, volunteer in classrooms, and to truly show up. Because of my record, those simple moments are not guaranteed. Each permission slip or background check comes with uncertainty. Not because I pose a risk, but because my past remains visible without context. I dread the day my young children ask why I can’t attend a field trip or why I’m treated differently than other parents. These are conversations about the legal system, punishment, and stigma that children in first and third grade are far too young to understand.

This is why I’m asking you to take action with me to help pass LD 1911: An Act to Automatically Seal Criminal History Record Information for Certain Crimes (also known as Clean Slate Maine). Currently before the Judiciary Committee of the Maine State Legislature, this bill would create an automated system to seal certain arrest or conviction records for individuals who meet specific eligibility requirements and have remained crime-free for a period of time. Learn More About LD 1911.

This bill would allow parents like me to volunteer at school, apply for jobs, and move through daily life without having their past resurface in moments meant for the present. 

If you want to learn more about the impact of past records on real Mainers, join me at A Night of Advocacy & Action at the ME-RAP Access Center on February 24 from 5:00–7:30 PM. Learn more below!

You can also use your voice to urge your state legislator to vote in favor of LD 1911. A quick call or email truly makes a difference. You can look up your lawmakers' contact information here. 


In solidarity and gratitude,

 

Kate Reagan

ME-RAP Operations Director


Join ME-RAP and partners from across Maine for a powerful, hands-on reentry simulation paired with networking opportunities and critical updates on the legislative session!


This one-of-a-kind experience invites participants to step into the reality of reentry after incarceration. Through a guided simulation, attendees will navigate real-world barriers such as housing access, employment restrictions, transportation challenges, supervision requirements, and gaps in support systems.

NEXT STEPS for clean slate maine!

We want to take a moment to thank every individual and organization that turned out in support of LD 1911 at the public hearing on January 8th. Past legal records should not serve as a life sentence to barriers to housing and employment.


We also want to thank Senator Rachel Talbot Ross for her leadership in putting forth a bipartisan bill that would provide record relief for an estimated 163,000 Mainers.


Update: The Judiciary Committee held a work session on LD 1911 on Wednesday, January 28. The bill was tabled, as the Committee has requests out for more information. The next work session is TBD.

Clean Slate Maine is supported by: Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition - MPAC, Portland Recovery Community Center, Western Maine Addiction Recovery Initiative-WMARI, The HILLS Recovery Center, Maine Medical Association, Maine Osteopathic Association, NASW Maine , Agape, Inc., Cumberland County District Attorney's Office, Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Maine Center for Economic Policy, MaineWorks, Pinetree Institute, Maine Black Chamber of Commerce, LA Chamber of Commerce, JPMorganChase PolicyCenter, Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, Strengthen LA, Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ), World Without Exploitation, Unify.US, Small Business Majority, and others!

ME-RAP Bill Tracker

opioid settlement funds

A National Roadmap for Opioid Settlement Funds: Supporting Communities & Ending the Overdose Crisis

ME-RAP is excited to join 230 organizations across 40 states in signing the third annual National Roadmap for OSF. The Roadmap is a call to action urging state and local decision-makers to invest opioid settlement dollars in harm reduction, public health, and social services proven to reduce overdose deaths — rather than law enforcement tools and carceral responses.

Opioid Settlement Funds

OSF Toolkit Spotlight: How to Submit a FOAA Request

Have you checked out our toolkit that is dedicated to all things related to opioid settlement fund (OSF) transparency, accountability, and advocacy?

 

This month we want to highlight this Guide on the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) that was created by the Right-to-Know Advisory Committee with the support of University of Maine School of Law.

 

Visit the link below, to find out information on:

  • What the Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) is and why it exists
  • What FOAA covers (public records & public proceedings)
  • How to write and submit a FOAA request
  • Sample FOAA requests and forms
  • And more!


Read the National Roadmap for OSF!

OSF Subdivision Updates


  • City of Bangor (January 20, 2026): The OSF committee met and reviewed scoring of 31 applications. Another meeting will be scheduled soon, where the committee will select applications for recommendations to the City Council.
  • Hancock County (January 21, 2026): Hancock County Administrator presented a draft proposal for OSF bylaws and committee membership applications. The commissioners requested some changes. The Administrator will present a final draft at the next meeting on February 3rd. 
  • Waldo County (January 12, 2026): The standing OSF committee met for the first time, and is working with the MOSS center to develop a grant application and scoring rubric. 
  • City of Augusta (January 28th, 2026): The City of Augusta responded to requests from advocates by uploading recordings of the opioid settlement committee meetings to the City website. Making these recordings easily accessible helps ensure that decisions are made through a transparent and public process.

ME-RAP Organizer Spotlight!

Molly Whyte is a dedicated community organizer & proud harm reductionist. Her life is rooted in advocacy and compassion, both in her professional work and her bustling home life. Molly currently resides in Lewiston with her lively family, which includes her daughter, three cats, one dog, and often several "bonus kids" she welcomes with open arms. Her home is a reflection of her generous spirit—a space filled with unconditional support and acceptance.

 

A passionate advocate for justice and dignity, Molly has been actively organizing with Me-RAP since late 2020. Her commitment to this work stems from her deep-seated belief in harm reduction principles. She champions policies and practices that prioritize saving lives, meeting people where they are, and providing non-judgmental support to individuals navigating substance use and other complex challenges.


Molly's profound understanding of trauma and healing informs every aspect of her activism. She strives to be an example of sustained, long-term healing from personal traumas, and she uses her lived experience to foster empathy and build genuine connection within the communities she serves. Her work with Me-RAP is driven by a vision of a world where people are treated with respect and have access to the resources necessary for safety and well-being.


RECAP

UMaine Re-entry Study Participation Opportunity!

One great way to make sure our voices are heard is to participate in new research that can help us tell our stories. Amy Frankel is completing a PhD dissertation at UMaine and is looking to interview formerly incarcerated citizens who have lived experience with the reentry process.

 

If you live in Maine and would be willing to talk about your reentry experiences, you can get more information from the flyer or by connecting through the link or to see if you are eligible and interested. Amy is a friend of ME-RAP, and we are thrilled to see this storytelling coming to life through her study.