AUGUSTA - In a public hearing before the Legislature's Judiciary Committee on Monday, Rep. Lois Galgay Reckitt, D-South Portland, introduced legislation to amend the Maine Constitution to prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, color, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, ancestry or national origin.
"For three terms in the 128th, 129th and 130th Legislatures, I have introduced and fought for constitutional equality for Maine women," said Reckitt. "This year, in my final term and the centennial year of the introduction of the Equal Rights Amendment before Congress, I have expanded the proposal to reflect the language of the Maine Human Rights Act."
Reckitt chose to expand her proposal after witnessing the successful effort in Nevada last year to pass a more comprehensive state version of the Equal Rights Amendment. Several members of legislative leadership, including Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, and House Majority Leader Mo Terry, D-Gorham, submitted testimony in support of the proposal.
"When the Constitution was originally written, many of us were considered property or non-citizens," said Talbot Ross. "The Maine Equal Rights Amendment places equality at the foundation of law, giving it the strictest respect in the courts, bringing an 18th century constitution into the 21st century. This move is long overdue and will finally put us on the path to make the basic human right to a life with dignity and free from discrimination constitutionally protected."
"Equal opportunity is a value most of us share. It is time our constitution declares equal opportunity, equality of rights and equality under the law for all," said Vitelli. "An equal rights clause in our constitution will make it clear that discrimination in employment, insurance, education and health care areas important to the freedom of individuals to fully participate in society, regardless of 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 shall not be tolerated."
"For generations, Maine women from all walks of life with exceptional courage, strength and leadership have fought to make our state and country a better, more equitable place," said Terry. "But still, we do not currently have equal protections under the law in Maine. I want a future for my daughters where their work and their character are judged by what they do, not by their gender, race or sexual orientation. By enshrining an Equal Rights Amendment into the state constitution, we can offer all of our children that opportunity."
Members of the Judiciary Committee will hold a work session on the proposal in the coming weeks. If the Legislature passes Galgay Reckitt's bill with a two-thirds majority in each chamber, the proposal will be sent to Maine voters for final approval.
The question before voters would read, "Do you favor amending 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?"
"It is well past time for the Maine Legislature to send the question to the voters and allow Maine citizens to have their say at the ballot box," said Reckitt.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Reckitt, Terry], c. 305-965-2744
Mary-Erin Casale [Talbot Ross], c. 415-4965
Christine Kirby [Vitelli], c. 294-2468