Resolve, Directing the Maine Human Rights Commission To Implement a Pilot Program To Investigate and Report on Incidents of Harassment Due to Housing Status, Lack of Employment and Other Issues

Sec. 1. Maine Human Rights Commission pilot program to investigate and report on incidents and complaints of harassment due to housing status, lack of employment and other issues. Resolved: That the Maine Human Rights Commission shall, within budgeted resources, implement a 2-year pilot program to receive, review and investigate incidents and complaints of harassment due to a person's lack of employment or housing status and other reports of interference with a person's access to public accommodations.

In carrying out the pilot program, the commission shall investigate and respond to incidents and complaints of harassment as set out in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, sections 4611 and 4612. The commission may use any of its powers under Title 5, section 4566 to carry out the pilot program. The commission may limit the scope of the pilot program in the interest of efficiency.

The commission may, in order to carry out the pilot program, establish an advisory board to document and evaluate incidents and complaints and to advise the commission as to which should be acted on and possible solutions.

The commission shall produce an interim report for submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary by September 15, 2020. The commission shall produce a final report for submission to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters by September 15, 2021. Either report may contain recommendations on changes to the pilot program or for its continuation as well as suggested legislation to carry out any of the recommendations.

SUMMARY

This resolve directs the Maine Human Rights Commission to create a 2-year pilot program to receive, review and investigate incidents and complaints of harassment due to a person's lack of employment or housing status and other reports of interference with a person's access to public accommodations. In carrying out the pilot program, the commission must investigate and respond to incidents and complaints of harassment as set out in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, sections 4611 and 4612. The commission is authorized to use any of its powers under Title 5, section 4566 to carry out the pilot program and may limit its scope. The commission is authorized to establish an advisory board to document and evaluate complaints and to advise the commission as to which incidents and complaints should be acted on and possible solutions. The commission is directed to produce an interim report for submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary by September 15, 2020 and a final report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters by September 15, 2021. The reports are authorized to contain recommendations on changes to the program or for its continuation as well as proposed legislation to carry out any recommendations.