AUGUSTA - A measure to protect survivors of economic abuse from long-term consequences, LD 947, sponsored by Rep. Laura Supica, D-Bangor, was signed into law this month by Gov. Janet Mills.
"After hearing directly from constituents experiencing this paralyzing form of abuse, I am so happy to see this bill become law," said Supica. "Economic abuse is especially harmful because many survivors learn about their ruined credit ratings or discover previously unknown debt at exactly the moment that they need financial stability and good credit to leave their abuser. This makes it even more difficult to get away and end this terrible cycle."
A 2019 report by the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence (MCEDV) which studied the impact of economic abuse on survivors of domestic violence in Maine found that 81% of survivors cited economic abuse as a barrier to separating from their abuser and gaining independence.
After the MCEDV submitted the report to the Legislature, a bill was passed that defined economic abuse in statute. Supica's bill continues this work by providing long-term relief for survivors going through the dissolution process by clarifying for the courts that economic abuse is a factor that should be considered when determining equitable distribution of property and spousal support.
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