Our Policy Priorities
For the 132nd Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025).
We advance policy efforts developing equitable & accessible government systems, building care infrastructure and economic equity, ensuring reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare, and ending gender-based and carceral violence.
Our priority bills are developed based on our biennial Road Map for Gender Justice. For more details on how we set our policy agenda each session, check out the overview of our legislative framework.
Please note that this is a “live list” that we update information on regularly as the final slate of bills for this session is published.
For the most up-to-date info on the progress of our priority bills, gender justice-related bills led by partner organizations that we're proud to support, and bills that we're opposed to, check out our bill tracker.
Developing Equitable
& Accessible Government Systems
SUPPORT: LD 260 “Resolution, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Establish That All Maine Residents Have Equal Rights Under the Law”
Enshrining protections for all into our founding document.
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While the fight to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in the US Constitution remains ongoing, passing an “Inclusive Equal Rights Amendment” for Maine’s Constitution can enshrine protections into our founding document, and reaffirm our State’s commitment to the equality of all people. This bill incorporates protections for all the protected classes already protected under state law in the Maine Human Rights Act, making it an “Inclusive ERA”. An Inclusive ERA gives us new tools to address discrimination and violations of civil rights that have not yet been fixed by law - and ensures that even if state or federal laws change, we still have access to Constitutional protections in Maine.
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This proposal did not receive the 2/3rds majority support a constitutional amendment needs to pass the legislature, so is now “dead.”
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SUPPORT: LD 818 “An Act to Allow Expenditure of Maine Clean Election Act Funding for the Care of Candidates' Dependents”
Reforming Maine’s Clean Election Act to include dependent care as an approved campaign expense, achieving parity with traditional campaign financing.
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Increasing the representation of everyday families at all levels of government helps ensure family-friendly policy: with representation comes representative policy, led by lawmakers who draw from their direct lived experiences. Caregivers, including parents with young children are less likely to run for office and only 5.3% of state legislators are mothers with children under eighteen. This bill would allow candidates running for office to use “clean election” public funding to cover costs associated with caring for dependents throughout their campaign. Removing barriers for all caregivers, including mothers who are disproportionately impacted by caregiving responsibilities, so they are able to participate in public services is crucial to ensuring broad representation in government.
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This bill awaits a vote on the House floor after being voted out of the Veterans and Legal Affairs committee.
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Check out our testimony HERE.
These bills work to bring fairness into the tax code in order to restore the State resources that help us build the infrastructure our families need to thrive.
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LD 1089, “An Act to Permanently Fund 55 Percent of the State's Share of Education by Establishing a Tax on Incomes of More than $1,000,000,” LD 1047 “An Act to Impose an Additional Tax on Certain Unearned Income,”, and LD 1082“An Act to Invest in Maine's Families and Workforce by Amending the Real Estate Transfer Tax are key bills intending to create a more fair state tax code and raise revenue for the state.
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LD 1089: Passed committee and awaits votes on the floor
LD 1047: Did not pass committee and has “died”
LD 1082: Passed committee and awaits votes on the floor
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OPPOSE: Paid Family & Medical Leave Rollbacks
Over 13 bills were introduced attempting to rollback or weaken the new Paid Family and Medical Leave Program
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We oppose efforts attempting to rollback or weaken the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program:
Bills to repeal the program or make it “voluntary” (LD406, LD539, LD1273)
Bills which carve out certain communities or industries, (LD952, LD1400, LD1249, LD1333, LD1712),
Bills which reduce benefits to an amount that makes the program out of reach for low-wage workers (mostly women and people of color - LD 1712)
We support LD 894, a bill making important technical changes to the law.
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LD 894, the bill making technical changes to the law has passed the Senate.
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SUPPORT: LD 135 An Act to Provide Compensation to Members of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women to Enhance Equitable Commission Participation from Across the State”
Setting compensation for members of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women.
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Compensation for public service is central to ensuring equitable and accessibility representation and civic engagement. This bill creates a commensurate compensation rate (the legislative per diem) for members of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, who are currently not authorized to receive compensation for their services. Providing compensation for commission member’s labor recognizes the value they provide to the State of Maine while also ensuring that a lack of compensation does not serve as a barrier to serving on the Commission.
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This bill has passed it’s first votes in both legislative chambers, and awaits final enactment votes.
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Check out our testimony HERE.
SUPPORT: LD 395 An Act to Restore Access to Federal Laws Beneficial to the Wabanaki Nations
Restoring the Wabanaki Nation's inherent right to self-determination and self-governance.
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A legislative Task Force was created in 2019 to identify legislative recommendations to rectify the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act which denied the Wabanaki Nation’s inherent right to tribal sovereignty. The Task Force’s report contains 22 consensus recommendations which the Legislature has considered in various bills over the past few sessions. This bill again brings forward the recommendations from the Task Force in an ongoing effort to restore the Wabanaki Nation's inherent right to self-determination and self-governance and extend access to Federal laws that the Wabanaki Nation has previously been excluded from.
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This bill has been referred to the Judiciary committee and awaits it’s public hearing.
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For more information on the work of our partners at the Wabanaki Alliance, head over to their website: www.wabanakialliance.com/
Building Care Infrastructure
& Economic Equity
SUPPORT: Childcare bundle
Investing in and strengthening child care infrastructure.
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There has been a systemic, generational lack of investment in care infrastructure in Maine, and nation-wide. The ‘workforce behind the workforce’ is almost entirely underpaid women, and when childcare systems fall through, it is almost entirely women who pick up the pieces by stepping out of the workforce. There are several important bills aiming to strengthen the child care system, including
LD 1955: An Act to Increase Child Care Affordability and Early Childhood Educator Stability
LD 1836: An Act to Increase the Supply of Child Care Services Through the Use of Contracts
LD 1859: An Act to Improve Access to Child Care and Early Childhood Education by Establishing Regional Resource Hubs
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These bills were all passed successfully out of committee and await floor votes
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SUPPORT: LD 60 “An Act to Allow Employees to Request Flexible Work Schedules”
Allowing employees to request a flexible work schedule and includes protections against retaliation for requests.
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Care responsibilities requiring time away from work disproportionately fall on women. A lack of flexibility in work schedules too often cause women to work part time or leave the workforce altogether. This bill would allow employees to request a flexible work schedule and includes protections against retaliation for requesting flexible work arrangements. Creating more accommodations in the workplace allows women to stay in or re-enter full time employment which increases their earning potential, ability to access health insurance, save for retirement, and access full Social Security benefits in later life.
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This bill had it’s public hearing in the Labor committee on 2/5/25 and awaits next steps.
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Check out our testimony HERE.
SUPPORT: LD 54 “An Act to Require Employers to Disclose Pay Ranges and Maintain Records of Employees' Pay Histories”
Requiring employers to include pay range on posted positions and maintenance of a record of positions and their pay scales.
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The pay gap between men and women remains an ongoing barrier for women’s economic equity and security. In 2021 the median earnings gap for men and women in Maine who worked full-time was $9,991, with even lower earnings for BIPOC and indigenous women. This bill requires employers with 10 or more employees to ensure that any posting of an employment opening includes the position pay range, and employers must maintain a record of positions and their pay scales. This bill will increase pay equity and transparency, which will give historically-underpaid women and BIPOC people the ability to hold employers accountable to equal pay for all.
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This bill has passed it’s first votes in both legislative chambers, and awaits final enactment votes.
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Check out our testimony HERE.
SUPPORT: LD 522 “Resolve, Directing the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women to Study the Extent of Workforce Gender Segregation in the State”
Studying workforce segregation by gender and assessing any differences in safety or compensation.
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Women and gender-diverse people have always played vital roles in the workforce, however, their work has gone systemically undervalued, underpaid, unrecognized and unpaid. Occupational segregation continues to exist for women and gender-diverse people. Women, especially women of color, make up a disproportionate share of workers earning low wages and often work in undervalued, female-dominated occupations. As Maine’s labor market tightens, ensuring that all Mainers have the opportunity to safely and equitably participate in the industry of their choice is an economic and gender justice priority. This bill directs the Commission to study the extent of occupational and workforce segregation by gender in the state and assess any differences in safety or compensation related to that segregation. Ensuring that Maine’s industries are equitably promoting worker safety and fair compensation for employees of all genders promotes gender equity in the labor force while bolstering Maine’s long-term economic security.
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This bill has passed both legislative chambers, and now is waiting to receive funding.
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Check out our testimony HERE.
SUPPORT: LD 709 “An Act to Establish the Respite for ME Program”
Extending the Respite for Maine program to provide funding for Maine's caregivers, many of whom are women.
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Informal caregivers, who can disproportionately women, are essential to Maine's long-term care system, providing millions of hours of unpaid assistance to loved ones due to age, illness, or disability. Many caregivers experience stress and or financial hardship because of leaving the workforce or reducing working hours to better care for their loved ones. The Respite for Maine program, piloted in 2022, provides caregivers with a stipend that funds temporary care, assistive technology, and training and counseling. The program succeeded in decreasing rates of caregiver stress and lowering their reported overall burden. Of the pilot participants, seventy-five percent of participants were women. This bill extends the Respite for Maine program and provides funding for Maine's caregivers, many of whom are women, to support their own mental and physical health as they care for others.
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This bill passed both the House and Senate and waits for final approval.
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Check out our testimony HERE.
Ensuring Reproductive
& Gender-Affirming Health
SUPPORT: LD1523 “An Act to Improve Perinatal Care Through Expanded Access to Doula Services”
Expanding MaineCare to reimburse perinatal services performed by doulas.
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Perinatal health outcomes and maternal mortality remains an ongoing crisis, with significantly worse outcomes for BIPOC pregnant people. Access to high-quality perinatal care in Maine remains an ongoing challenge, especially for BIPOC pregnant people and those living in rural areas. This bill would improve access to Doula birth care workers who can support a pregnant person throughout pregnancy and postpartum by making doula services eligible for MaineCare reimbursements. Making doula services eligible for MaineCare insurance reimbursement at a sustainable rate will enable more Mainers to have access to doula care, while also ensuring a stable doula workforce.
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This bill passed with unanimous support through the Health and Human Services committee and awaits next steps in the legislature.
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Check out our testimony HERE.
SUPPORT: LD 143 “An Act to Improve Women's Health and Economic Security by Funding Family Planning Services”
Investing in Maine’s 60+ family planning sites to ensure access to essential healthcare services are available, accessible, and affordable.
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Maine’s 60+ family planning clinics are essential to Maine's public health infrastructure and protecting the health of Maine’s women. Family planning clinics provide a range of healthcare services, including birth control, STI testing, cancer screenings, and full spectrum reproductive healthcare, which support the economic security, health, and wellbeing of Mainers. 35,849 individuals accessed care at these sites in 2022, showing their necessity and positive impact on Maine’s healthcare infrastructure, especially for those living in rural areas who may access the majority of their healthcare through these clinics. This bill would ensure the needed ongoing appropriations for family planning services in Maine to ensure these essential healthcare services are available, accessible, and affordable.
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This bill has passed both legislative chambers, and now is waiting to receive funding.
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Check out our testimony HERE.
SUPPORT: LD 94 “An Act to Eliminate Miscarriage Reporting Requirements”
Eliminating the requirement that healthcare professionals must report to the Department of Health and Human Services each occurrence of a miscarriage.
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Pregnancy and miscarriages are deeply personal experiences, and respecting the bodily autonomy of a pregnant person is central to the ongoing pursuit of reproductive justice. This bill would eliminate outdated miscarriage reporting requirements for doctors. Eliminating these reporting requirements provides additional privacy for pregnant people while ensuring that potentially sensitive personal information remains confidential.
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This bill passed both the House and Senate and waits for final approval.
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Check out our testimony HERE.
OPPOSE : Anti-Trans Bills
8 bills were introduced that would roll back civil rights for transgender Mainers and ban transgender girls from participating on school sports teams.
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The 8 proposed bills range in focus, but would have the same impact: rolling back civil rights for transgender Mainers, harming ALL girls in sports, and promoting cruelty instead of fairness.
These bills include:
limits to young people’s ability to fully participate in their schools and communities in accordance with their gender: LD 233; LD 868; LD 1002; LD 1134; and LD 1704.
roll backs to the Maine Human Rights Act as a tool to protect Mainers from harassment and discrimination based on their gender identity: LD 1337 and LD 1432.
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These bills had a public hearing and now await floor votes.
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SUPPORT: LD 865 “An Act to Require MaineCare to Reimburse for Lactation Services in the Homes of Eligible Persons”
Expanding MaireCare coverage for independent Lactation Consultants.
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A range of lactation support services are covered under many private insurance plans, but not under MaineCare. This leaves too many parents without access to these services– paying out of pocket is rarely feasible especially during an already expensive time period. This bill would expand MaireCare coverage for independent Lactation Consultants. Ensuring that all new parents, including those in the MaineCare program, are able to access lactation consulting services is a key way to promote infant and parental health and safety. Expanding reimbursement eligibility is also a key way to sustain and stabilize the Lactation Consultant workforce– a workforce that is women-led and dominated.
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This bill passed the Health and Human Services committee and awaits next steps in the legislature.
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Check out our testimony HERE.
SUPPORT: LD 1028 “Resolve, to Establish the Task Force to Study Equitable Access to Maternal Health Care and Birthing Facilities”
Studying access to maternal health care and birthing facilities to present a report to the Legislature with policy solutions
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Over the last decade, Maine has seen the closure of seven birthing units with two more closing in 2025, the majority of which are in rural areas. In 2022, only 65.6% of pregnant Black Mainers and 87% of pregnant white Mainers received “adequate prenatal care" and more than half of Maine counties have five or fewer OB/GYNs and two-third of counties have five or fewer Midwives. Addressing this growing crisis of lack of access to birthing healthcare requires a comprehensive understanding of the issues and landscape. This bill would direct a task force of stakeholders and experts to study the issues and present a report to the Legislature with policy solutions. Addressing this growing issue is paramount to keeping birthing people and their families safe and healthy.
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This bill was voted “Ought Not to Pass” out of the Health and Human Services committee and is now “dead.”
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Check out our testimony HERE.
SUPPORT: LD 163 “An Act to Require Health Insurance Coverage for Federally Approved Nonprescription Oral Hormonal Contraceptives and Nonprescription Emergency Contraceptives”
Requiring health insurers to cover nonprescription oral hormonal contraceptives and emergency contraceptives without a prescription.
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Expanding options for family planning promotes economic security and reproductive autonomy. This bill requires all insurance policies to provide coverage for prescription contraceptives and to provide coverage for nonprescription, over-the-counter oral hormonal contraceptives approved by the FDA. Nine in ten women have used contraception at some point in their lives, but not everyone has consistent access to this essential healthcare. The cost and logistical challenges of obtaining a prescription, compounded by challenges relating to work and childcare arrangements, create substantial barriers to contraception access - which disproportionately affect women who are rurally located, low-income, and without reliable access to transportation. By mandating insurance coverage of all FDA-approved over-the-counter contraceptive methods, this bill addresses financial barriers that hinder access to essential reproductive care.
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This bill has passed it’s first votes in both legislative chambers, and awaits final enactment votes.
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Check out our testimony HERE.
SUPPORT: LD 1079 “An Act to Provide Comprehensive Perimenopause and Menopause Education”
Directing DHHS to create and distribute informational materials on menopause and perimenopause.
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This bill directs DHHS to create and distribute informational materials on menopause and perimenopause to help grow awareness about menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms and treatments, and support those navigating this phase of their life. There is a consistent lack of reproductive and sexual health education however, with education on menopause and perimenopause being especially lacking. This leaves many women without critical knowledge related to changes in their body, menstrual cycles and hormones.
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This bill has passed out of committee and now awaits it’s votes in both legislative chambers.
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Check out our testimony HERE.
OPPOSE: Anti-abortion bills
The proposals range in specific focus – from criminalizing abortion to creating unnecessary barriers for receiving health care.
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We are opposed to any attempt to rollback or weaken the right to reproductive health care, and opposed bills introduced this year including,
LD 253, “An Act to Prevent the MaineCare Program from Covering Abortion Services”
LD 682, “An Act to Amend Certain Laws Regarding Abortions”
LD 886, “An Act to Regulate Medication Abortions”
LD 887, “An Act to Make Manufacturers Responsible for Proper Disposal of Abortion Drugs and Require a Health Care Provider to Be Physically Present During a Chemical Abortion”
LD 975, “An Act to Repeal Laws Allowing Abortion and to Criminalize Abortion”
LD 1007, “An Act to Update the State's Informed Consent Laws Regarding Drug-induced Abortion”
LD 1154, “An Act to Require That Informed Consent for Abortion Include Information on Perinatal Hospice”
The proposals range in specific focus – from criminalizing abortion to creating unnecessary barriers for receiving health care – the impact these bills would have is clear: they would harm the women of Maine, because restrictions on reproductive healthcare have devastating and dangerous consequences.
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These bills had a public hearing and now await floor votes.
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Check out our testimony HERE.
Ending Gender-Based
& Carceral Violence
SUPPORT: LD117 ”An Act to Provide Funding for Sexual Assault Services”
Funding core victim services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
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This bill provides funding for sexual assault services, including raising compensation for sexual assault advocates to $45,000/year (up from the current average of $32,000). Sexual assault service providers help survivors navigate systems and heal from sexual violence. A stable workforce with adequate compensation is required to ensure that those services remain available. This bill also funds organizations serving specific groups and communities impacted by sexual violence - including veterans, people with disabilities, and immigrant and refugee communities.
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This bill has passed both legislative chambers, and now is waiting to receive funding.
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Check out our testimony HERE.
SUPPORT: LD 1139 ”An Act to Provide Funding for Essential Services for Victims of Crime”
Funding core victim services for survivors of sexual violence.
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While anyone can experience sexual violence, rates are higher against women and trans people, and BIPOC individuals. The majority of core services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, including legal services and victim advocates, are funded through the Federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). However, reductions in VOCA funding left Maine (and all other states) with a significant funding gap which could lead to devastating cuts to services without action from the state. After a one-year stop gap was passed last year, this year’s bill would ensure ongoing funding for these critical services to support this crucial network of systems.
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This bill has passed the senate, and now awaits a vote in the house.
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Check out our testimony HERE.
SUPPORT: LD 875 "An Act to Fund Essential Services for Victims of Domestic Violence”
Funding core victim services for survivors of domestic violence.
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This bill would fund critical domestic violence services across the state. Domestic violence is a crisis in Maine communities, overwhelmingly affecting the health, safety, and security of women. Links between experiencing violence, economic security, and the ability to access services and support systems are clear. Low-income Mainers and those without regular access to food and housing stability are more likely to experience domestic violence. Funding services that support victims and survivors of domestic violence is not only about supporting victims of crime. It is about supporting Maine’s public health and economic infrastructure, and ensuring that we preserve all we have built in the last 20 years to offer safety and healing for all Mainers. Women will not achieve equity until we achieve safety, and right now, these services are core to preventing and responding to gender-based violence.
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This bill has passed both legislative chambers, and now is waiting to receive funding.
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Check out our testimony HERE.
SUPPORT: LD 246 ”An Act to Establish the Option of Sentencing Alternatives for Primary Caregivers”
Requiring a court to consider a sentencing alternative other than imprisonment due to the defendant's being a primary caregiver.
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Women are the primary caregivers for minors, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities at much higher rates than men. On average, women spend eight and a half more hours per week on parenting and domestic duties compared to men. Additionally, 59% of caregivers for the elderly are women. This bill requires a court to consider a sentencing alternative other than imprisonment in situations when the defendant is a primary caregiver. This bill acknowledges the emotional and financial burden that arises when a primary caregiver is removed from a community or family, and underscores the importance of caregivers' roles and responsibilities.
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This bill has been referred to the Judiciary committee and had it’s public hearing on 2/13/25.
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Check out our testimony HERE.