An Act To Clarify the Definition of "Physical or Mental Disability" in the Maine Human Rights Act
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1027
Committee Amendment CA_A_S248 (Senate)
Amends: 5 MRSA §4553, 5 MRSA §4553-A, 5 MRSA §4554

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ''/1 " to S.P. 344, L.D. 1027, Bill, "An Act To 
Clarify the Definition of "Physical or Mental Disability" in the Maine Human Rights Act" 
Amend the bill by inserting after the title and before the enacting clause the 
following: 
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, after the Maine Supreme Judicial Court's ruling in Whitney v. Wal-Mart 
2006 ME 37 invalidated rules providing guidance for interpretation of the definition of 
"physical or mental disability" in the Maine Human Rights Act; and 
Whereas, there may be confusion in the application of the existing statutory 
definition without the guidance of the rules; and 
Whereas, this Act provides a new statutory definition of "physical or mental 
disability" that is narrower than the existing law after the Whitney decision, and the 
enactment of the new definition removes any confusion; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore,' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 5 MRS A §4553, sub-§7-A, as amended by PL 1991, c. 99, §2, is 
repealed and the following enacted in its place: 
7-A. Physical or mental disability. "Physical or mental disability" has the meaning 
set forth in section 4553-A. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 344, L.D. 1027 
Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §4553, suh-§7-B, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 393, §6, is repealed . 
Sec. 3. 5 MRSA §4553-A is enacted to read: 
§4553-A. Physical or mental disability 
1. Physical or mental disability, defined. "Physical or mental disability" means: 
A. A physical or mental impairment that: 
(1) Substantially limits one or more of a person's major life activities; 
(2) Significantly impairs physical or mental health; or 
(3) Requires special education, vocational rehabilitation or related services; 
B. 
Without regard to severity unless otherwise indicated: 
absent, artificial or 
replacement limbs, hands, feet or vital organs; alcoholism; amyotrophic lateral 
sclerosis; bipolar disorder; blindness or abnormal vision loss; cancer; cerebral palsy; 
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Crohn's disease; cystic fibrosis; deafness or 
abnormal hearing loss; diabetes; substantial disfigurement; epilepsy; heart disease; 
HIV or AIDS; kidney or renal diseases; lupus; major depressive disorder; 
mastectomy; mental retardation; multiple sclerosis; muscular dystrophy; paralysis; 
Parkinson's disease; pervasive developmental disorders; rheumatoid arthritis; 
schizophrenia; and acquired brain injury; 
C. 
With respect to an individual, having a record of any of the conditions in 
paragraph A or B; or 
D. With respect to an individual, being regarded as having or likely to develop any 
of the conditions in paragraph A or B. 
2. Additional terms. For purposes of this section: 
A. The existence of a physical or mental disability is determined without regard to 
the ameliorative effects of mitigating measures such as medication, auxiliary aids or 
prosthetic devices; and 
B. 
"Significantly impairs physical or mental health" means having an actual or 
expected duration of more than 6 months and impairing health to a significant extent 
as compared to what is ordinarily experienced in the general population. 
3. Exceptions. "Physical or mental disability" does not include: 
A. 
Pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism, sexual behavior disorders, compulsive 
gambling, kleptomania, pyromania or tobacco smoking; 
B. Any condition covered under section 4553, subsection 9-C; or 
C. Psychoactive substance use disorders resulting from current illegal use of drugs, 
although this may not be construed to exclude an individual who: 
(1) Has successfully completed a supervised drug rehabilitation program and is 
no longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs or has otherwise been rehabilitated 
successfully and is no longer engaging in such use; 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to S.P. 344, L.D. 1027 
(2) 
Is participating in a supervised rehabilitation program and is no longer 
engaging in such use; 
(3) Is erroneously regarded as engaging in such use, but is not engaging in such 
use; or 
(4) In the context of a reasonable accommodation in employment, is seeking 
treatment or has successfully completed treatment. 
Sec. 4. 5 MRSA §4554, sub-§4 is enacted to read: 
4. Physical or mental disability. The definition of "physical or mental disability" in 
section 4553-A is intended to be interpreted broadly to create greater coverage than under 
the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 
Sec. 5. 5 MRS A §4566, sub-§7, as amended by PL 1977, c. 694, §29, is further 
amended to read: 
7. Rules and regulations. To adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations to 
effectuate this Act, such adoption, amendment and rescission to be made in the manner 
provided by chapter 375, subchapter II 2. Rules adopted to implement section 4553-A 
are major substantive rules as defined in chapter 375, subchapter 2-A; 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill, which sought to make the definition of "physical or 
mental disability" within the Maine Human Rights Act consistent with federal law. 
This amendment adopts a new definition of "physical or mental disability." 
A 
physical or mental impairment qualifies as a physical or mental disability under the 
Maine Human Rights Act if it: 
1. Substantially limits one or more of a person's major life activities; 
2. Significantly impairs physical or mental health; or 
3. Requires special education, vocational rehabilitation or related services. 
In addition, this amendment also includes a list of specific physical or mental 
impairments that qualify as physical or mental disabilities. 
"Physical or mental disability" includes an individual with a record of physical or 
mental disability, as defined. It also includes an individual who is regarded as having or 
likely to develop any of the conditions within the definition of "physical or mental 
disability. " 
The existence of a physical or mental disability is determined without regard to the 
ameliorative effects of mitigating measures such as medication, auxiliary aids or 
prosthetic devices. 
This amendment also includes a list of conditions that are not included as physical or 
mental disabilities. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 344, L.D. 1027 
The stand-alone definition of "person with a disability" is repealed because it is 
incorporated into the new definition of "physical or mental disability." 
This amendment adds to the construction provisions of the Maine Human Rights Act 
a rule of construction that directs that the definition of "physical or mental disability" in 
the Act is to be interpreted broadly to create greater coverage than under the federal 
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 
This amendment provides that rules adopted by the Maine Human Rights 
Commission to implement the new definition of "physical or mental disability" are major 
substantive rules and therefore require review by the Legislature before being finally 
adopted. 
This amendment adds an emergency preamble and emergency clause to make the 
changes take effect immediately. 
FISCAL SOrE HEQClRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 05/31/07 Mae 
LD 1027 
LR 1399(02) 
An Act To Clarify the Definition of "Physical or Mental Disability" in the Maine Human Rights Act 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ''A " 
Committee: Judiciary 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
LRI399(02) - Fiscal Note - Page I of I