Resolve, Directing the Maine Commission on Domestic and Sexual Abuse To Study Economic Abuse

Sec. 1. Maine Commission on Domestic and Sexual Abuse to study economic abuse. Resolved: That the Maine Commission on Domestic and Sexual Abuse shall study, pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 19-A, section 4013, subsection 3:

1. The effect of economic abuse in the State, the enforcement of laws to prevent economic abuse and to provide relief to victims of economic abuse and the definition of economic abuse in Title 19-A, section 4002, subsection 3-B. For purposes of this resolve, "economic abuse" means the exercise between domestic or dating partners of control over access to economic resources, including finances, documents or property, that reduces the capacity of the victim to meet basic needs or to be independent or self-sufficient and enforces the victim's dependence on the perpetrator;

2. The provision of training opportunities for public officials, including judicial officers, prosecutors and law enforcement officers, regarding economic abuse in the State;

3. The provision of a media campaign regarding economic abuse in the State, including information and instructions for victims of economic abuse directing them to seek appropriate remedies; and

4. The creation of or existing programs to provide legal remedies to victims of economic abuse, including reimbursement for attorney's fees.

No later than February 7, 2018, the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 128th Legislature.

summary

This resolve directs the Maine Commission on Domestic and Sexual Abuse to study the effect of economic abuse and the enforcement of laws to prevent economic abuse and to provide relief to victims of economic abuse, to study the provision of training opportunities for public officials, to study the provision of a media campaign and to study the creation of programs to provide legal remedies, including the reimbursement of attorney's fees.