|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE |
|
|
LD 1647 |
|
LR 1594(02) |
|
|
|
An Act to Amend
the Maine Human Rights Act to Provide Additional Remedies for Educational
Discrimination |
|
Fiscal Note for
Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " " |
|
Committee: Judiciary |
|
Fiscal Note Required: Yes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Note |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Potential current biennium cost increase - School Administrative
Units |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FY 2025-26 |
FY 2026-27 |
Projections FY 2027-28 |
Projections FY 2028-29 |
| Net Cost
(Savings) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Fund |
|
$0 |
$257,600 |
$267,646 |
$278,084 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Appropriations/Allocations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Fund |
|
$0 |
$257,600 |
$267,646 |
$278,084 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Correctional
and Judicial Impact Statements |
|
|
|
|
|
This bill may
increase the number of civil suits filed in the court system. The additional
workload associated with the minimal number of new cases filed in the court
system does not require additional funding at this time. The collection of
additional filing fees will increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Detail
and Notes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
This bill allows
a court to award compensatory damages in cases of intentional educational
discrimination. The bill appropriates ongoing funds for one Investigator
position within the University of Maine System, beginning at $132,600 in
fiscal year 2026-27, and one Assistant General Counsel position within the
Maine Community College System, beginning at $125,000 in fiscal year 2026-27,
to handle cases of educational discrimination brought against each respective
institution. The Department of Education (department) and educational
institutions, including school administrative units and state institutions of
higher education, are likely to incur costs as a result of increased
litigation, legal settlements, and higher legal insurance premiums. The bill caps
compensatory damages at $100,000 per complaining party and the total cost per
case, including damages and attorney fees, is expected to range from $250,000
to $500,000. The total number of cases that will be brought under this bill
cannot be known in advance and so the total cost to the department and
educational institutions cannot be determined at this time. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|