Bill would add Equal Rights Amendment to Maine's constitution
Courtesy / Maine Legislature
A measure sponsored by Rep. Lois Reckitt, D-South Portland, says that “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 sex of the individual.”
Maine lawmakers are considering a bill that would add the Equal Rights Amendment to Maine’s constitution.
The measure, L.D. 433, sponsored by Rep. Lois Reckitt, D-South Portland, says that “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 sex of the individual.”
The bill is among several being introduced across the country seeking to revive the ERA, decades after the contentious measure failed to get enough votes to be ratified by 1982. Maine was was among the states that did ratify the amendment.
Gov. Janet Mills, Maine’s first female governor, testified in favor of L.D. 433 last week before the legislature’s Judiciary Committee in Augusta.
“I cannot wait to accompany the five adult women whom I proudly call my daughters, and my two little granddaughters, to a voting booth in the fall so that they and their uncles, cousins and friends will be protected in our most sacred document,” she said.
Opponents include state Sen. Scott Cyrway, R-Benton, who warned that the measure might lead to unintended consequences such as doing away with sex-specific restrooms and State Mike McClellan, policy director of Christian Civic League of Maine, said he was concerned it would help fund abortions.
“To be blunt, I guess, this year one of our bigger concerns is where we think bills have abortion funding buried in it,” McClellan, a former Republican state representative from Raymond, said, Maine Public reported.
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments