Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 0780
Committee Amendment CA_A_S617 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "^ " to S.P. 339, L.D 780, "RESOLUTION,
Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Protect Personal Reproductive
Autonomy"
Amend the resolution by striking out the title and substituting the following:
'RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Protect
Reproductive Autonomy'
Amend the resolution by striking out everything after the first paragraph (lines 1 to 3
in L.D.) and inserting the following:
'Constitution, Art. I, §26 is enacted to read:
Section 26. Reproductive autonomy. Every person has a right to reproductive
autonomy. Neither the State nor any political subdivision of the State may deny orjtifringe
on a person's right to reproductive autonomy ynlessthe denial or infringement is justified
by a compelling state interest and is accomplished usuifi the least restrictive means
necessary. Nothing in this section narrows or limits a person's right to privacy or eaual
protection.
For purposes of this section, the State's or a political subdivision's interest in denvine
or infringing on a person's rieht to reproductive autonomy is "compelline" onlYJf it is for
the limited purpose of protectine the health of the person seekine care, is consistent with
accepted clinical standards of practice and evidence-based medicine and does not infringe
on the person's autonomous decision making.
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:
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
^P COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " ^. " to S.P. 339, L.D. 780 ( 5" is-1^
"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to declare that every
person has a right to reproductive autonomy?"
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 fhe 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.'
Amend the resolution by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or
section number to read consecutively.
SUMMARY
This amendment, which is the majority report of the committee, amends the
constitutional resolution to provide that every person has a right to reproductive autonomy
that may not be denied or mfringed on by the State or a political subdivision of the State
unless the denial or infringement is justified by a compelling state interest and is
accomplished using the least restrictive means necessary. For purposes of this proposed
amendment to the Constitution of Maine, a state interest is "compelling" only if it is for the
limited purpose of protecting the health of a person seeking care, is consistent with accepted
clinical standards of practice and evidence-based medicine and does not infringe on the
person's autonomous decision making.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Approved: 02/06/24 ^^^
LD 780 LR 1444(02)
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Protect Personal
Reproductive Autonomy
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "<(,"/
Committee: Judiciary
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Potential current biennium cost increase - General Fund
Referendum Costs Month/Year Election Type Question Length
Nov-24 General Referendum Standard
The Secretary of State's budget includes sufficient funds to accommodate one ballot of average length for the general
election in November. If the number or size of the referendum questions requires production and delivery of a second
ballot, an additional appropriation of $266,000 may be required.
LR1444(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1