Opinion ID: 1939075
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: substantive statutory provisions

Text: The Maine Human Rights Act was first enacted in 1971 and as amended, it now includes a prohibition against discrimination on the basis of physical or mental handicap. 5 M.R.S.A. § 4552 (1979). Discrimination as defined in the MHRA includes, without limitation, segregate or separate. 5 M.R.S.A. § 4553(2) (1979). In 1975, section 4553 was amended to add subsection 7-A, defining physical or mental handicap as follows: Physical or mental handicap means any disability, infirmity, malformation, disfigurement, congenital defect or mental condition caused by bodily injury, accident, disease, birth defect, environmental conditions or illness; and also includes the physical or mental condition of a person which constitutes a substantial handicap as determined by a physician or, in the case of mental handicap, by a psychiatrist or psychologist, as well as any other health or sensory impairment which requires special education, vocational rehabilitation or related services. Subsection 8 of section 4553 includes in the definition of a place of public accommodation all public conveyances operated on land, water or in the air as well as the stations and terminals thereof. Subchapter V of the Act addresses discrimination in places of public accommodation. [4] The Superior Court based its decision upon sections 4591 and 4592 of that subchapter. Section 4591 provides: The opportunity for every individual to have equal access to places of public accommodation without discrimination because of race, color, sex, physical or mental handicap, religion, ancestry or national origin is recognized as and declared to be a civil right. Section 4592 provides in relevant part: It shall be unlawful public accommodations discrimination, in violation of this Act: For any person, being the owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent or employee of any place of public accommodation, to directly or indirectly refuse, withhold from or deny to any person, on account of race or color, sex, physical or mental handicap, religion, ancestry or national origin, any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities or privileges of such place of public accommodation, or for such reason in any manner discriminate against any person in the price, terms or conditions upon which access to such accommodation, advantages, facilities and privileges may depend....