Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:Sec. 1. 5 MRSA 4552, as amended by PL 1993, c. 327, 1, is further amended to read:
4552. Policy
To protect the public health, safety and welfare, it is declared to be the policy of this State to keep continually in review all practices infringing on the basic human right to a life with dignity, and the causes of these practices, so that corrective measures may, where possible, be promptly recommended and implemented, and to prevent discrimination in employment, housing or access to public accommodations on account of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin; and in employment, discrimination on account of age or because of the previous assertion of a claim or right under former Title 39 or Title 39-A and in housing because of familial status; and to prevent discrimination in the extension of credit on account of age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, ancestry or national origin; and to prevent discrimination in education on account of sex or physical or mental disability.
Sec. 2. 5 MRSA 4553, sub- 9-C is enacted to read:
9-C. Sexual orientation. "Sexual orientation" means having a preference for heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality, having a history of that preference or being identified with that preference.
Sec. 3. 5 MRSA 4553, sub- 10, E, as amended by PL 1983, c. 578, 2, is further amended to read:
E. In determining whether any a person is acting as an agent or employee of another person so as to make such the other person responsible for his that person's acts, the question of whether the specific acts performed were actually authorized or subsequently ratified shall is not be controlling; and
Sec. 4. 5 MRSA 4553, sub- 10, F, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 578, 2, is amended to read:
F. Unlawful educational discrimination as defined and limited by subchapter V-B.; and
Sec. 5. 5 MRSA 4553, sub- 10, G is enacted to read:
G. Discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and credit on the basis of sexual orientation, except that a religious corporation, association or organization is exempt from these provisions.
SUMMARY This bill extends to all citizens regardless of their sexual orientation the same civil rights protections now guaranteed to citizens on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin and physical or mental handicap. Discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations and credit would be prohibited.