AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs voted on Monday to advance LD 1783, sponsored by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, which would implement recommendations from the Governor's Advisory Council on Military Sexual Trauma.
As amended, this legislation would make it easier for survivors' to access the Victims' Compensation Fund and direct ongoing funding to help pay for a military sexual trauma liaison and associated programming costs. It would also require more thorough data collection and reporting and create a provision to provide paid leave for survivors and alleged perpetrators, or an agreed upon alternative.
"We should be doing everything we can to support survivors," said Rielly. "What is the use of an Advisory Council if we don't put forward the recommendations they propose? Implementing these recommendations that were proposed by the Maine National Guard, law enforcement, the Maine Commission on Domestic and Sexual Abuse, survivors and additional organizations that support them is the next phase of this process, and it is how we move forward. As confirmed by the Adjutant General, this legislation does not conflict with any work being done at the federal level, nor does it create any undue burdens for the Guard, which is falsely being claimed by some members of this committee."
"The bill clarifies and consolidates the Guard's reporting requirements to the Legislature," said Melissa Martin, public policy and legal director of the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault. "This gives both the Legislature and the Advisory Council the essential information needed to continue to support the Guard in reducing sexual harassment and assault."
"As a member of the Governor's Advisory Council, I appreciate Rep. Rielly bringing forward our careful work that developed over a period of months," said Maeghan Maloney, district attorney for Kennebec and Somerset Counties. "It was the power of his words and the strength of his conviction that carried the day for survivors."
"Survivors and members of the Governor's Advisory Council were encouraged by the Guard's development of support programs for survivors through federal initiatives," said Rebecca Cornell du Houx, executive director of the Sisters in Arms Center. "The Advisory Council also recognized the need for community and state leaders to have a responsibility to survivors who have experienced military sexual trauma through access to the Victims Compensation Fund and trauma-focused community services. LD 1783 will ensure we provide support to survivors that extends beyond their time in the Guard."
"I am disappointed in my colleagues who voted against putting the recommendations outlined in the Advisory Council's report into statute," said Rielly. "Last legislative session, our committee heard many devastating accounts of Guard members who have experienced sexual trauma while serving. We heard stories of harrowing experiences that no one should have to endure. LD 1783 exists because of the incredible courage of these survivors. Failure to pass this legislation puts our Guard members at risk and undermines the important steps taken thus far by the Legislature and the Guard to address this serious issue. I'm calling on my colleagues in the House and the Senate to do better and stand with survivors."
LD 1783 is a continuation of successful legislation sponsored by Rielly during the 130th Legislature. LD 625 directed the Maine Adjutant General to submit a report outlining current practices and suggesting legislation regarding the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of sexual assault and harassment. LD 2029 required report backs from the Adjutant General and the Attorney General, amended the Maine Criminal Code to recognize the legal authority of the orders of military commanders outside of duty times and provided the Maine National Guard a seat on the Maine Commission on Domestic and Sexual Abuse.
The legislation faces further votes in the House and Senate in the coming days.
Rielly is serving his second term in the Maine House of Representatives and is a member of the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs. He represents House District 127, which includes a portion of Westbrook.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Rielly], 305-965-2744