Working for a Maine state ERA
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Without a recognized federal Equal Rights Amendment, the majority of states have added ERAs to their state constitutions in order to guarantee full equality for all citizens. Maine is not one of them -yet.​
Map image courtesy of Brennan Center for Justice. Edited by ERMaine to reflect the passage of NY's state ERA on 11.5.2024. View full interactive map here.
Maine sets a high bar for constitutional amendments. Most states require only a simple majority but in Maine an amendment bill must first get a â…” vote in both the House and the Senate, before it goes before the people as a referendum vote.
In the 2023-24 session of the Maine Legislature, LD 1412 (introduced by Rep. Lois Reckitt (D)) was the proposed ERA bill that would give constitutional backing to the categories of protection long provided by the Maine Human Rights Act.
LD 1412, “RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine Establishing That All Maine Residents Have Equal Rights Under the Law” would align Maine’s Constitution with the Maine Human Rights Act, and protect people based on 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.
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The bill failed to pass in 2023 with the necessary 2/3 majorities.
A new campaign for a state ERA
MAINE ERA for all!
supports a proposed amendment that would guarantee equal legal rights for all Mainers, regardless of sex or gender. Many states, including Maine, are moving toward an 'inclusive ERA' which also protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, race and national origin. Those are the very groups included in the Maine Human Rights Act of 1971, covered by the Maine Human Rights Commission. The state ERA would give lasting, constitutional equality to those groups.
Maine Human Rights Commission
The Maine Human Rights Commission covers
Employment
Housing
Public Accommodation
Education
Credit
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It does NOT cover
Domestic Violence
Violence Against Women
Insurance/Pension Discrimination
Incarceration of Women
The Maine Human Rights Commission is responsible for handling sex discrimination cases in Maine, according to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The MHRC has a mandate from the legislature to include certain areas of sex discrimination, but not all. Violence against Women claims, including sexual assault and domestic violence are not included; nor are the increasingly urgent issues of female incarceration, women's pensions, and insurance discrimination. A state ERA would broaden the mandate for the MHRC to more fully do its job.
In 2019 Governor Janet Mills addressed the Judiciary Committee in support of the state ERA.
Maine Human Rights Commission
The Maine Human Rights Commission covers
Employment
Housing
Public Accommodation
Education
Credit
​
It does NOT cover
Domestic Violence
Violence Against Women
Insurance/Pension Discrimination
Incarceration of Women
The Maine Human Rights Commission is responsible for handling sex discrimination cases in Maine, according to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The MHRC has a mandate from the legislature to include certain areas of sex discrimination, but not all. Violence against Women claims, including sexual assault and domestic violence are not included; nor are the increasingly urgent issues of female incarceration, women's pensions, and insurance discrimination. A state ERA would broaden the mandate for the MHRC to more fully do its job.