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An Act To Amend the Law Relating to Concealed Firearms Locked in Vehicles
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period in order to provide equity in the laws governing concealed firearms in vehicles of employees as soon as possible; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 26 MRSA §600, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 393, §1, is amended to read:
 
1. Firearms in vehicles.   An employer or an agent of an employer may not prohibit an employee who has a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm under Title 25, chapter 252 from keeping a firearm in the employee's vehicle as long as the vehicle is locked and the firearm is not visible. This subsection applies to the State as an employer when a state employee's vehicle is on property owned or leased by the State. This subsection does not authorize an employee to carry a firearm in a place where carrying a firearm is prohibited by law.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
SUMMARY
This bill provides that the State may not prohibit a state employee who has a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm from keeping a firearm in the employee's vehicle on state property as long as the vehicle is locked and the firearm is not visible.