AUGUSTA - Rep. Mo Terry, D-Gorham, introduced a bill to the Legislature's Judiciary Committee on Wednesday to extend the statute of limitations for filing a complaint to the Maine Human Rights Commission for unlawful discrimination if the complaint is based on a sexual act, sexual contact or sexual touching.
Currently in Maine, the statute of limitations for reporting these types of crimes to the Maine Human Rights Commission is 300 days after the alleged misconduct occurred. LD 1374 would extend that time period to two years after the alleged act.
According to findings from a 2015 survey conducted by USM's Muskie School on Maine Crime Victimization, one in five Mainers will experience sexual assault at some point in their lifetime, and each year, 14,000 Mainers will experience sexual violence. However, in 2019, only 514 incidents involving rape or attempted rape were reported to Maine law enforcement.
"Trauma like this impacts people in so many different ways and at different times," said Terry. "We all have distinct coping mechanisms and it often takes months, if not years, to come to terms with this type of abuse. 300 days is simply not enough time."
The Judiciary Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks. Maine residents who would like to weigh in on the proposed legislation can still submit written testimony to the committee through this portal.
Terry, who represents part of Gorham, is serving her third term in the Maine House of Representatives. She serves as House chair of the Taxation Committee.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Terry], c. 812-1111