AUGUSTA - The Maine Legislature voted this week 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 and take additional steps to support survivors of sexual assault and harassment within the Maine National Guard.
The bill amends requirements of the Victims' Compensation Fund to make it easier for Maine National Guard survivors to receive compensation. The bill also directs ongoing funding to help pay for a military sexual trauma liaison and associated programming costs. Additionally, it includes a provision to provide paid leave for survivors as well as alleged perpetrators, or an agreed upon alternative, when placed in state active duty.
"It is because of the courage of survivors of military sexual trauma and the organizations that work closely with them that this bill has received incredible support in the Legislature," said Rielly. "I am confident that LD 1783 will be passed into law. However, without the necessary funding of $230,000 required to ensure that the provisions of the bill are implemented, we risk falling short of supporting survivors."
The measure includes $140,000 in ongoing funding to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services beginning in fiscal year 2023-24 for a military sexual trauma liaison. Further, it includes $90,000 in ongoing funding to the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management beginning in fiscal year 2023-24 to help fund the paid leave provision of the bill.
The bill will receive further funding consideration by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee 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