Bill aims to enshrine equal rights for all in Maine constitution

AUGUSTA, Maine – At the state house on Tuesday, lawmakers gathered in the judiciary committee for a pubic hearing on LD 260, “Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Establish That All Maine Residents Have Equal Rights Under the Law.”

Equal Rights for all is already engrained in Maine state law, but this new bill would add those protections to our Maine state constitution.

This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to prohibit the denial or abridgment by the State or any political subdivision of the State of equal rights based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical or mental disability, ancestry or national origin of an individual.

Those opposed to the bill say it could give certain groups of people unfair privileges, while sponsors of the bill say their goal is to protect the rights of all Mainers.

This equal rights bill was submitted back in January.

In February, Governor Janet Mills and President Donald Trump got into a spat over policy on trans athletes.

Bill sponsor and Democratic State Representative, Holly Sargent says she does not believe this bill would exacerbate the threat to withhold federal funding made by the President, adding, “This is about fundamental human rights for all humans and everyone is included under that umbrella.”

Republican State Representative, Jennifer Poirier, says the bill could exacerbate the situation, adding, “This bill would affirm what Governor Mills has been actively fighting against our President on and I think it puts us in a dangerous position.”

Democratic bill sponsors are hoping for bipartisan support on LD 260, but at this point no republicans are backing the bill.

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