An Act To Protect the Public from Clergy Sexual Abuse
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0913
Committee Amendment CA_A_S117 (Senate)
Amends: 17-A MRSA §253, 17-A MRSA §255-A, 17-A MRSA §260

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT"(-}" to S.P. 267, L.D. 913, Bill, "An Act To Protect 
the Public from Clergy Sexual Abuse" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act To Amend the Laws on Gross Sexual Assault, Unlawful Sexual Contact and 
Unlawful Sexual Touching To Include Counseling Professionals' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. 17-A MRSA §253, sub-§2, ,r.I, as repealed and replaced by PL 2011, c. 
691, Pt. A, §13, is amended to read: 
I. The actor is a psychiatrist, a psychologist or licensed as a social worker or 
counseling professional or purports to be a psychiatrist, a psychologist or licensed as 
a social worker or counseling professional to the other person and the other person, 
not the actor's spouse, is a current patient or client of the actor. Violation of this 
paragraph is a Class C crime; 
Sec. 2. 17-A MRSA §255-A, sub-§1, ,U, as repealed and replaced by PL 2011, 
c. 691, Pt. A, §14, is amended to read: 
U. 
The actor is a psychiatrist, a psychologist or licensed as a social worker or 
counseling professional or purports to be a psychiatrist, a psychologist or licensed as 
a social worker or counseling professional to the other person and the other person, 
not the actor's spouse, is a current patient or client of the actor. 
Violation of this 
paragraph is a Class D crime; 
Sec. 3. 17-A MRSA §255-A, sub-§1, ~' as repealed and replaced by PL 2011, 
c. 691, Pt. A, §15, is amended to read: 
V. 
The actor is a psychiatrist, a psychologist or licensed as a social worker or 
counseling professional or purports to be a psychiatrist, a psychologist or licensed as 
a social worker or counseling professional to the other person and the other person, 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A-" to S.P. 267, L.D. 913 c ';)-~\ II} 
not the actor's spouse, is a current patient or client of the actor and the sexual contact 
includes penetration. Violation of this paragraph is a Class C crime; 
Sec. 4. 17-A MRSA §260, sub-§1, ~' as repealed and replaced by PL 2011, c. 
691, Pt. A, §16, is amended to read: 
K. 
The actor is a psychiatrist, a psychologist or licensed as a social worker or 
counseling professional or purports to be a psychiatrist, a psychologist or licensed as 
a social worker or counseling professional to the other person and the other person, 
not the actor's spouse, is a current patient or client of the actor. Violation of this 
paragraph is a Class D crime;' 
IO 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill and provides a new title. The amendment amends 
the law on gross sexual assault, unlawful sexual contact and unlawful sexual touching to 
include all licensed counseling professionals as the actors in the gross sexual assault, 
unlawful sexual contact and unlawful sexual touching. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/27/19 feac.. 
LD913 
LR 1763(02) 
An Act To Protect the Public from Clergy Sexual Abuse 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment'~" (~ - \ \'1-) 
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Current biennium cost increase - General Fund 
Minor revenue increase - General Fund 
Minor revenue increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
Small increase in the incidence of Class C crimes; increases correctional and judicial costs. 
Small increase in the incidence of Class D crimes; increases correctional and judicial costs. 
The additional workload associated with the minimal number of new cases filed in the court system does not require 
additional judicial funding at this time. 
The collection of additional fine revenue will increase General Fund and dedicated revenue by minor amounts. 
The Department of Corrections has not indicated a need for additional funding. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Amending the law on gross sexual assault, unlawful sexual contact and unlawful sexual touching to include all 
licensed counseling professionals expands the number of individuals who will be subject to these crimes. Gross sexual 
assault represents a Class C crime, unlawful sexual contact either a Class C or D crime and unlawful sexual touching 
a Class D crime. 
LRl 763(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1