AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted unanimously Wednesday to enact a bill that protects survivors of economic abuse from long-term consequences.
Rep. Laura Supica, D-Bangor, submitted LD 947 after hearing from constituents who faced staggering debt and tarnished credit scores as a result of economic abuse by a spouse, with no legal redress for this harm. Supica's bill amends current Maine statute to empower the courts to consider economic abuse by a spouse when ordering spousal support and dividing up property.
"Economic abuse is particularly harmful because many survivors learn about their ruined credit ratings at precisely the moment that they need a clean bill of credit health in order to leave abusive relationships and take necessary steps to separate," said Supica. "Power and control is at the root of domestic violence, and controlling finances is an effective way for an abuser to achieve that. LD 947 allows us to make truly life-changing policy in addressing domestic violence."
Supica's bill follows the work of previous Legislatures. The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee of the 128th Legislature requested a report by the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence addressing economic abuse in situations of domestic violence. The 129th Legislature subsequently passed a bill that defines economic abuse in statute. LD 947 continues those efforts by giving judges appropriate direction to ensure survivors have access to effective justice in our civil courts.
Supica is serving her first term in the Maine House of Representatives and represents District 126, part of Bangor. She sits on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Supica], c. 812-1111