Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1412
Committee: Judiciary
Sponsors: RECKITT, VITELLI, COPELAND, DHALAC, GRAMLICH, PERRY, SALISBURY, SARGENT, SUPICA, TALBOT ROSS

Legislative Document
No. 1412
H.P. 908
House of Representatives, March 30, 2023
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine Establishing That All Maine Residents Have Equal Rights 
Under the Law
Reference to the Committee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative RECKITT of South Portland.
Cosponsored by Senator VITELLI of Sagadahoc and
Representatives: COPELAND of Saco, DHALAC of South Portland, GRAMLICH of Old 
Orchard Beach, PERRY of Calais, SALISBURY of Westbrook, SARGENT of York, SUPICA 
of Bangor, Speaker TALBOT ROSS of Portland.
Constitutional amendment. Resolved: Two thirds of each branch of the 
Legislature concurring, that the following amendment to the Constitution of Maine be 
proposed:
Constitution, Art. I, §26 is enacted to read:
Section 26.  Equality of rights.  Equality of rights under the law may not be denied 
or abridged by the State or any political subdivision of the State based on the actual or 
perceived race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, 
age, physical or mental disability, ancestry or national origin of an individual.  The 
Legislature has the power to enforce this section by appropriate legislation.
Constitutional referendum procedure; form of question; effective date.  
Resolved:  That the municipal officers of this State shall notify the inhabitants of their 
respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding 
a statewide election, at a statewide election held in the month of November following the 
passage of this resolution, to vote upon the ratification of the amendment proposed in this 
resolution by voting upon the following question:
"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to prohibit the denial 
or abridgment by the State or any political subdivision of the State of equal 
rights based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, sexual 
orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical or mental 
disability, ancestry or national origin of an individual?"
The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question 
and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within the corresponding square 
below the word "Yes" or "No."  The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and declared 
in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of State in 
the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature.  The Governor shall review the 
returns.  If it appears that a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of the amendment, 
the Governor shall proclaim that fact without delay and the amendment becomes part of 
the Constitution of Maine on the date of the proclamation.
Secretary of State shall prepare ballots.  Resolved:  That the Secretary of State 
shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies of 
this resolution necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum.
SUMMARY
This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to prohibit the denial or 
abridgment by the State or any political subdivision of the State of equal rights based on 
the actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender 
expression, age, physical or mental disability, ancestry or national origin of an individual.