125th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 573		LR 655(01)
	An Act To Protect the Civil Rights of Citizens
	Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
	Sponsor: Sen. Snowe-Mello of Androscoggin
	Committee: Judiciary
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
Current biennium cost increase - All Funds Minor revenue increase - General Fund
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements
	Increases the number of civil suits. The collection of additional filing fees may also increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	The additional costs to State government can not be estimated at this time, but are expected to be significant.  The Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Division of Risk Management estimates the cost of the increase in liability insurance rates needed to cover the additional claims and expenses to be $3,000,000 per year.  In addition, the Office of the Attorney General will require additional General Fund appropriations to fund one Assistant Attorney General position.  It is assumed that the affected State agency would be responsible for any other fees and other awards or damages.
	Additional costs to the Maine Community College System associated with this provision can not be determined at this time, however, the System has estimated the cost to defend an average of 3 cases per year to be approximately $45,000 in staff, insurance and liability costs.