AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety voted Tuesday to advance LD 1044, a measure to protect the rights of people who are transgender and incarcerated.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Charlotte Warren, D-Hallowell, provides that the gender identity of transgender individuals who are incarcerated is recognized and respected in their interactions with correctional facility staff and that they are housed and searched appropriately.
According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, affirming an individuals gender identity by staff and other representatives of correctional facilities has been shown to reduce risk of suicide and sexual violence.
"Maine is already a national leader in our treatment of our LGBTQ+ population, including in our correctional facilities, and the recent committee vote is another step forward in improving protections for our community members," said Warren. "LD 1044 strengthens our existing rules for how transgender people who are incarcerated are treated. It affirms our intentions for fair treatment by shoring up existing policies so that our states walk matches our talk."
The measure will be voted on by the full legislature in the coming days.
Warren, House chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, is serving her fourth term in the Maine House of Representatives and represents Hallowell, Manchester and West Gardiner.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Warren], c. 812-1111