Resolve, Directing the Maine Human Rights Commission To Implement a Pilot Program To Investigate and Report on Incidents of Harassment Due to Housing Status, Lack of Employment and Other Issues
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1294
Committee: Judiciary
Sponsors: TALBOT ROSS, MOORE, BAILEY, MAREAN, MOONEN, CARPENTER, CLAXTON, DOW, GRATWICK, ROSEN

Legislative Document
No. 1294
H.P. 937
House of Representatives, March 19, 2019
Resolve, Directing the Maine Human Rights Commission To 
Implement a Pilot Program To Investigate and Report on Incidents 
of Harassment Due to Housing Status, Lack of Employment and 
Other Issues
Reference to the Committee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative TALBOT ROSS of Portland.
Cosponsored by Senator MOORE of Washington and
Representatives: BAILEY of Saco, MAREAN of Hollis, MOONEN of Portland, Senators: 
CARPENTER of Aroostook, CLAXTON of Androscoggin, DOW of Lincoln, GRATWICK of 
Penobscot, ROSEN of Hancock.
Sec. 1.  Maine Human Rights Commission pilot program to investigate 
and report on incidents and complaints of harassment due to housing status, 
lack of employment and other issues.  Resolved:  That the Maine Human Rights 
Commission shall, within budgeted resources, implement a 2-year pilot program to 
receive, review and investigate incidents and complaints of harassment due to a person's 
lack of employment or housing status and other reports of interference with a person's 
access to public accommodations.
In carrying out the pilot program, the commission shall investigate and respond to 
incidents and complaints of harassment as set out in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, 
sections 4611 and 4612.  The commission may use any of its powers under Title 5, 
section 4566 to carry out the pilot program.  The commission may limit the scope of the 
pilot program in the interest of efficiency.
The commission may, in order to carry out the pilot program, establish an advisory 
board to document and evaluate incidents and complaints and to advise the commission 
as to which should be acted on and possible solutions.
The commission shall produce an interim report for submission to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Judiciary by September 15, 2020.  The commission shall produce a final 
report for submission to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over judiciary matters by September 15, 2021.  Either report may contain 
recommendations on changes to the pilot program or for its continuation as well as 
suggested legislation to carry out any of the recommendations.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Maine Human Rights Commission to create a 2-year pilot 
program to receive, review and investigate incidents and complaints of harassment due to 
a person's lack of employment or housing status and other reports of interference with a 
person's access to public accommodations.  In carrying out the pilot program, the 
commission must investigate and respond to incidents and complaints of harassment as 
set out in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, sections 4611 and 4612.  The commission 
is authorized to use any of its powers under Title 5, section 4566 to carry out the pilot 
program and may limit its scope.  The commission is authorized to establish an advisory 
board to document and evaluate complaints and to advise the commission as to which 
incidents and complaints should be acted on and possible solutions.  The commission is 
directed to produce an interim report for submission to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Judiciary by September 15, 2020 and a final report to the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters by September 15, 2021.  The 
reports are authorized to contain recommendations on changes to the program or for its 
continuation as well as proposed legislation to carry out any recommendations.