Title 5, Title 5

This chapter may be known and cited as the "Maine Civil Rights Act."

1. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Trafficked person" means a victim of a human trafficking offense. [PL 2007, c. 684, Pt. B, §1 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 684, Pt. H, §1 (AFF).] B. "Crimin…

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2021, c. 460, §1 (NEW).] 1. Law enforcement agency. "Law enforcement agency" means an agency in the State charged with enforcement of state, county, municipal or …

1. Information collected. Beginning July 1, 2024, a law enforcement agency shall record and retain the following information regarding traffic infractions occurring in this State: A. The number of persons stopped for traffic infractions; [PL 2021, c. 460, §1 (NEW).] B. Characteri…

1. Adoption of rules. By January 1, 2024, the Attorney General shall adopt rules for the recording, retention and reporting of information pursuant to section 4752 pertaining to persons stopped for traffic infractions. The information must include the characteristics of race, col…

Beginning January 15, 2025 and annually thereafter, the Attorney General shall provide to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters and criminal justice and public safety matters and make available to the public a report of the in…

In enforcing the laws of this State, a law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency may not engage in profiling. Violations of this section are not enforceable under chapter 337‑B but may form the basis of disciplinary proceedings by the Board of Trustees of the Maine Crimin…

1. Effect of criminal history record information respecting certain convictions. Subject to subsection 2 and sections 5302 and 5303, in determining eligibility for the granting of any occupational license, registration or permit issued by the State, the appropriate State licensin…

1. Reasons for disciplinary action. Licensing agencies may refuse to grant or renew, or may suspend, revoke or take other disciplinary action against any occupational license, registration or permit on the basis of the criminal history record information relating to convictions d…

1. Three-year limits. Except as set forth in this subsection and subsection 2, the procedures outlined in sections 5301 and 5302 for the consideration of prior criminal conviction as an element of fitness to practice a licensed profession, trade or occupation shall apply within 3…

Any person who is aggrieved by the decision of any licensing agency in possible violation of this chapter may file a statement of complaint with the District Court designated in chapter 375.

The Legislature finds that Maine is blessed with an abundance of natural resources unique to the northeastern United States; that these natural resources provide Maine residents and visitors to the State with an unparalleled diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities during al…

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1987, c. 506, §§1, 4 (NEW).] 1. Appraised value. "Appraised value" means the fair market value of property without the consideration of the effect, if any, of ded…

The Land for Maine's Future Board, as established in chapter 379, shall be an Executive Department Board and shall be referred to in this chapter as the "board."

1. Fund established. There is established the Public Access to Maine Waters Fund that is administered by the board. The Public Access to Maine Waters Fund consists of the proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized for the purposes set forth in subsection 3 and funds received as c…

1. Fund established. The Maine Working Waterfront Access Protection Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established and is administered by the board in cooperation with the Commissioner of Marine Resources under the provisions of this chapter and Title 12, section…

1. Fund established. The Maine Working Farmland Access and Protection Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established and is administered by the board in cooperation with the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry under the provisions of this chapt…

1. Fund established. There is established the Land for Maine's Future Trust Fund that is administered by the board. The Land for Maine's Future Trust Fund consists of the proceeds from the sale of any bonds authorized for the purposes set forth in subsection 2, eligible investmen…

1. Fund established. There is established the Conservation and Recreation Fund that is administered by the board. The Conservation and Recreation Fund consists of the proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized for the purposes set forth in subsection 3 and funds received as contr…

1. Fund established. There is established the Conservation Land Management Fund that is administered by the board. The Conservation Land Management Fund consists of the proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized for the purposes set forth in subsection 3 and funds received as con…

1. Composition. The board consists of 9 members, 6 who are private citizens and 3 who are permanent members. The permanent members are the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; the Commissioner of Marine Resources; and the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Fo…

1. Meetings. The board shall meet at least 4 times each year. The chair shall call the meetings of the board. 2. Rules. The board, acting in accordance with section 8052, may adopt rules it considers necessary for the conduct of its business. 3. Compensation. Appointed members ar…

1. Responsibilities. The board shall: A. Complete an assessment of the State's public land acquisition needs and develop a strategy and guidelines, based on that assessment, for use in allocating the proceeds of the Land for Maine's Future Trust Fund, the Conservation and Recreat…

Prior to determining a final award, the board shall publish a notice of its intent to fund the purchase of land offered for acquisition in a newspaper or newspapers of general circulation that identifies the land proposed by the board for funding and that notifies the residents o…

1. Distribution of funds. The board shall authorize the distribution of funds from the Land for Maine's Future Trust Fund, the Conservation and Recreation Fund and the Public Access to Maine Waters Fund to state agencies and cooperating entities for the acquisition of natural lan…

The board may expend funds to acquire an interest in land obtained by the use of eminent domain only if the acquisition has been approved by the Legislature or is with the consent of the owner or owners of the land, as the identity and address of the owner or owners is shown on t…

1. Approval. Approval by the elected municipal officials is required when more than 1% of a municipality's state valuation is considered for acquisition under a bond issue. 2. Transactions. Any acquisition by eminent domain funded by the board, when the land exceeds either 50 acr…

1. Approval. Approval by the county commissioners is required if land proposed to be acquired under a bond issue within the unorganized territory in a county constitutes more than 1% of the state valuation within the county. 2. Transactions. Any acquisition of land within an unor…

1. Uses of funds. 2. Fee title. Fee title to all interests in land acquired pursuant to this chapter must be clear to ensure that the State's interests in funding the acquisition are protected. 3. Matching funds. 4. Payments. 5. Land evaluated. All interests in property acquired …

If the board transfers in writing to any local or federal agency any written information acquired by the board under this chapter concerning any land, the board may, upon transfer, notify the landowner of the transfer by certified mail.

1. Land for Maine's Future Board-sponsored credit card. The Land for Maine's Future Board may enter into an agreement with a financial institution, as defined in Title 9‑B, section 131, subsection 17, a credit union, as defined in Title 9‑B, section 131, subsection 12, or other c…

1. Water Resources Planning Committee. The Water Resources Planning Committee, as established in section 12004‑I, subsection 68‑C and referred to in this subsection as "the committee," is established in the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. A. The committee's …

The Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, established by section 12004-I, subsection 88-A and referred to in this chapter as "the commission," is an independent commission. The commission shall promote, carry out and coordinate programs designed to improve opportunities fo…

The commission consists of 19 members, including 9 appointed by the Governor, 5 appointed by the President of the Senate and 5 appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. In making these appointments, the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the …

Members of the commission are appointed for 2-year terms, except that, of those members first appointed, 4 appointed by the Governor, 2 appointed by the President of the Senate and 2 appointed by the Speaker of the House must be appointed for one-year terms. The term of office of…

A member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed serves only for the remainder of that term and must be appointed by the same appointing authority. Any vacancy on the commission does not affect its…

The Governor shall select from among the members of the commission a chair. The chair is authorized to appoint subcommittees.

The commission shall advise and consult with the Governor and the Legislature about, and assist them in improving, opportunities for women in the State by: [PL 2009, c. 191, §1 (NEW).] 1. Research. Carrying out research programs necessary to determine the status of women in the S…

The commission shall meet at the call of the chair not less than 4 times each year. Mileage and toll reimbursement for commission members are authorized for up to 2 meetings per year.

The Secretary of State shall provide staffing support as required.

The Legislature finds that State Government is the largest single employer in the State and has a substantial impact, not only upon the growth and development of the State, but also with respect to policies that directly affect Maine citizens. The Legislature further finds that s…

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1985, c. 785, Pt. B, §38 (NEW).] 1. Appeals board. "Appeals board" means the State Civil Service Appeals Board. 2. Appointing authority. "Appointing authority" me…

1. Goals and objectives. The Bureau of Human Resources is established within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services as the administrative agency for state civil service matters and as a service agency to state agencies and departments. In addition to any other go…

The Bureau of Human Resources shall be responsible for the administration of the civil service system of State Government. The bureau shall: [PL 1985, c. 785, Pt. B, §38 (NEW).] 1. Act in a professional, courteous manner. Perform its duties in a highly professional and helpful ma…

The State Human Resources Officer must be qualified by education or experience in the administration of personnel systems, public or private, and in human resource management. The commissioner shall appoint the State Human Resources Officer who serves at the pleasure of the commi…

The State Human Resources Officer is responsible for the administration of this chapter. In carrying out these duties and responsibilities, the officer shall: [RR 2023, c. 1, Pt. B, §7 (COR); RR 2023, c. 1, Pt. B, §50 (AFF).] 1. Develop administrative procedures. Develop administ…