Maine Republicans have recently introduced two significant bills aiming to amend the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA) by eliminating references to “gender identity.” This move aims to create a legal ground for Governor Janet Mills to adhere to a White House executive order regarding girls’ school sports. The original language, instating “gender identity” as a protected class, was incorporated into the state’s anti-discrimination laws in 2005.
During a press conference, Rep. Mike Soboleski, the sponsor of the bill LD 1432, stated, “Taking the term ‘gender identity’ out of the Maine Human Rights Act puts an end to it all.” His proposal garnered support from nine fellow Republicans, including prominent party members. The bill seeks to maintain protections against discrimination based on characteristics like race or sex while stripping legal status from mutable traits such as gender identity.
The effort to revise the MHRA would eliminate arguments supporting the Maine Department of Education’s (MDOE) stance against complying with a prior order from former President Trump, which mandated that transgender males be excluded from competing in women’s sports. Removing this specific provision would clear the conflicting legal landscape for the MDOE.
Moreover, the second bill, LD 1337, introduced by Rep. Elizabeth Caruso, focuses on the functions of emergency shelters for women, permitting them to refuse housing to people identifying as women. This legislation aims to clarify that the existing education discrimination portion of the MHRA should not infringe upon the rights of female athletes under Title IX federal laws.
Both legislative proposals are scheduled for review by the Judiciary Committee, although no public hearings have been organised yet. Republicans argue these bills present solutions to the current impasse between Maine’s state laws and federal regulations, raising concerns over potential financial repercussions on educational funding for the state’s schools. In a Democratic-controlled legislature, the passage of such bills may face several challenges, but they could provide means for the state to align with federal expectations without breaching local laws.
Maine Republicans have introduced two bills aimed at removing “gender identity” from the Maine Human Rights Act to comply with federal orders regarding girls’ sports. The first bill, LD 1432, eliminates protections for gender identity while maintaining others. The second, LD 1337, addresses women’s shelters and Title IX regulations. These proposals face challenges in a Democrat-controlled legislature.
The push by Maine Republicans to amend the Maine Human Rights Act reflects a significant political effort to align state laws with federal expectations regarding gender identity and athletic participation. Proponents argue these changes are necessary to conform with the federal government’s directives while minimizing financial risks to educational institutions. However, the proposed legislation is likely to encounter strong opposition in the Democrat-led legislature, indicating a complex and contentious path ahead.
Original Source: www.themainewire.com
