An Act To Ensure Nondiscrimination against Gun Owners in Public Housing
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1572
Committee: Judiciary
Sponsors: CUSHING, FREDETTE, BRAKEY, BURNS, THIBODEAU, WHITTEMORE, ESPLING, GINZLER, GUERIN, SHERMAN
Amends: 14 MRSA §6030-F

Legislative Document 
No. 1572 
S.P. 620 
In Senate, January 21, 2016 
An Act To Ensure Nondiscrimination against Gun Owners in Public 
Housing 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203. 
Reference to the Committee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator CUSHING of Penobscot. 
Cosponsored by Representative FREDETTE of Newport and 
Senators: BRAKEY of Androscoggin, BURNS of Washington, President THIBODEAU of 
Waldo, WHITTEMORE of Somerset, Representatives: ESPLING of New Gloucester, 
GINZLER of Bridgton, GUERIN of Glenburn, SHERMAN of Hodgdon. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  14 MRSA §6030-F is enacted to read: 
§6030-F.  Firearms in public housing 
1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 
following terms have the following meanings. 
A.  "Firearm" has the same meaning as in Title 12, section 10001, subsection 21. 
B.  "Public housing" means any housing that is financed in whole or in part with 
public funds subsidizing housing accommodations. 
C.  "Rental agreement" means an agreement, written or oral, and valid rules and 
regulations embodying the terms and conditions concerning the use and occupancy of 
a dwelling unit and premises. 
2.  Prohibition or restriction on firearms prohibited.  A rental agreement for the 
provision of public housing may not contain a provision or impose a rule that requires a 
person to agree, as a condition of tenancy, to a prohibition or restriction on the lawful 
ownership, use, possession, bearing or transportation of a firearm, firearm component or 
ammunition on or within the premises, including the common areas of the premises, by a 
tenant, tenant's household member or guest. 
3.  Damages; attorney's fees.  If a landlord brings an action to enforce a provision or 
rule prohibited under subsection 2, a tenant, tenant's household member or guest may 
recover actual damages sustained by that tenant, tenant's household member or guest and 
reasonable attorney's fees. 
4.  Immunity.  Except in cases of gross negligence, a public housing authority or 
private landlord is not liable in a civil action for personal injury, death, property damage 
or other damages resulting from or arising out of an occurrence involving a lawfully 
owned firearm, firearm component or ammunition that the public housing authority or 
private landlord is required to allow on the property under this section. 
5.  Exception.  This section does not apply to any prohibition or restriction that is 
required by federal law or regulation. 
SUMMARY 
This bill prohibits a rental agreement for the provision of public housing from 
containing a provision requiring a tenant to agree to a prohibition on the lawful 
ownership, use, possession, bearing or transportation of a firearm, firearm component or 
ammunition on or within the premises by a tenant, tenant's household member or guest.