Resolved: Two thirds of each branch of the
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 0492
Sponsors: POIRIER, HAGGAN

Legislative Document
No. 492
H.P. 321
House of Representatives, February 11, 2025
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine to Provide for Parental Rights
Received by the Clerk of the House on February 6, 2025.  Referred to the Committee on 
Judiciary pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative POIRIER of Skowhegan.
Cosponsored by Senator HAGGAN of Penobscot and
Representatives: DUCHARME of Madison, GIFFORD of Lincoln, GRIFFIN of Levant, 
HAGGAN of Hampden, LYMAN of Livermore Falls, QUINT of Hodgdon, THORNE of 
Carmel, WADSWORTH of Hiram.
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. Parental rights.  The natural, inherent and unalienable rights of minor 
children are held by their parents or guardians until the age of majority or a grant of 
emancipation. This State, its political subdivisions and all governmental entities may not 
infringe on the authority of parents to direct the upbringing, education and care for the 
physical, mental and spiritual health of their children, absent abuse or neglect by the parent 
or guardian or criminal acts by the minor.
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 describe parental 
rights that are reserved to the parent of a minor child and limit the 
infringement of these rights by the State or a political subdivision of the 
State?"
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 provide that the natural, 
inherent and unalienable rights of minor children are held by their parents or guardians 
until the age of majority or a grant of emancipation and that this State, its political 
subdivisions and all governmental entities may not infringe on the authority of parents to 
direct the upbringing, education and care for the physical, mental and spiritual health of 
their children, absent abuse or neglect by the parent or guardian or criminal acts by the 
minor.