AUGUSTA - Rep. Laura Supica, D-Bangor, introduced a bill on Tuesday to protect survivors of economic abuse from long-term consequences before the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety (CJPS). LD 947 amends current Maine statute to empower the courts to consider economic abuse by a spouse when ordering spousal support and dividing up property.
Of domestic violence survivors in Maine, 81% cite economic abuse as making it difficult to separate from their abuser. Over half report their abuser accrued debt in their name during the relationship, and 72% of economic abuse survivors report that their abuser lied to them about paying bills.
"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 flows from the work of previous Legislatures. The CJPS 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.
The committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.
Supica is serving her first term in the Maine House and represents District 126, part of Bangor. She sits on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Supica], c. 812-1111