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.

Nothing in this chapter confers legislative approval of, or special rights to, any person or group of persons.

Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §4553, sub-§§9-C and 9-D are enacted to read:

9-C.__Religious entity.__"Religious entity" means:

A.__A religious corporation, association or society;

B.__A college, school, university or other educational institution, not otherwise a religious entity, if it is in whole or substantial part funded, controlled, managed or owned by a religious corporation, association or society;__ or

C.__A nonprofit organization that is operated for charitable purposes if it is in whole or substantial part funded, controlled, managed or owned by a religious corporation, association or society.

9-D.__Sexual orientation.__"Sexual orientation" means having an orientation for heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality, having a history of that orientation or being identified with that orientation. "Sexual orientation" refers to a person's actual or perceived status, condition or gender expression.__This chapter is intended to ensure specific defined rights, and not to