Augusta — In a largely party line vote of 89 to 52, the Maine House defeated a controversial bill that would undercut human rights protections and reproductive rights by creating a loophole in the state's strong non-discrimination laws.
Democrats argued the religious discrimination bill, LD 1428, would carve out an exception for religious beliefs in the state's non-discrimination laws, such as the Maine's Human Rights Act.
"This is not a bill about religious freedom; it will only create religious discrimination," said Rep. Charles Priest of Brunswick, who chairs the Legislature's Judiciary Committee. "Maine's law and constitution has strong protections for religious freedom. This bill is not necessary."
Maine is one of 32 states that does not allow for religious exceptions in non-discrimination laws
In the last 10 years, only six states have enacted similar bills.
The political digital news organization Talking Points Memo published a report about the GOP effort in states to define anti-gay discrimination as "religious freedom."
"This fight will continue across the country. Many states still do not have a human rights law that covers sexual orientation. But in maine our voters have settled this, " said Rep. Matt Moonen of Portland, during the floor debate.
Nationally, laws like LD 1428 have been used to infringe upon women's access to health care. In Texas a municipal bus driver refused to drive a woman to a reproductive health clinic on his bus route. At the federal level, corporations are trying to use the religious exception or loophole to avoid providing employees with health care that covers reproductive health.
"This bill moves Maine backwards on equality and women's rights," said Rep. Mattie Daughtry of Brunswick. "This is not religious freedom it is legalized hate."
During the public hearing on the bill, one survivor of the genocide in Rwanda, spoke about his experiences coming to America to escape persecution and asked the committee to oppose the bill.
The Maine Attorney General also opposed the measure.
The bill has met with strong opposition from a broad group of organizations, including ACLU of Maine, Coalition for Maine Women, Equality Maine, Family Planning Association of Maine, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, Maine AFL-CIO, Maine Choice Coalition, Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, Maine Education Association, Maine LGBT Coalition, Maine Medical Association, Maine People's Alliance, Maine School Management Association, Maine State Employees Association, Maine Women's Lobby, Religious Coalition Against.
The bill faces further votes in the Senate and the House.
