PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
An Act To Enhance Safety for Victims of Sexual Assault and Stalking and To Amend the Laws Governing Harassment and Protection from Abuse
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §4651, sub-§2, ¶C, as repealed and replaced by PL 2017, c. 288, Pt. A, §4, is amended to read:
 
C. A single act or course of conduct constituting a violation of section 4681; Title 17, section 2931; or Title 17-A, section 201, 202, 203, 204, 207, 208, 209, 210, 210-A, 211, 253, 254, 255-A, 256, 258, 259-A, 259-B, 260, 261, 282, 283, 301, 302, 303, 506, 506-A, 511, 511-A, 556, 802, 805, 806, 852 or 853.
Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §4653, sub-§1, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 559, Pt. C, §3, is amended to read:
 
B. If the alleged harassment does not meet the definition in section 4651, subsection 2, paragraph C or is not related to an allegation of domestic violence, violence against a dating partner, sexual assault or, stalking or harassment as described in Title 17-A, section 506, subsection 1, paragraph A-1 or A-2, a copy of a notice to stop harassing the plaintiff issued to the defendant pursuant to Title 17-A, section 506-A, subsection 1, paragraph A, subparagraph (1), division (a) or a statement of good cause why such a notice was not sought or obtained.
Sec. 3. 14 MRSA §6001, sub-§6, ¶H, as enacted by PL 2015, c. 293, §5, is amended to read:
 
H. When a victim asserts any of the provisions contained within this chapter specifically available to a victim, except for changing locks according to section 6025, subsection 1, a victim shall provide to the landlord documentation of the alleged conduct by the perpetrator, including the perpetrator's name. Acceptable documentation includes, but is not limited to:
 
(1) A statement signed by a Maine-based sexual assault counselor as defined in Title 16, section 53-A, subsection 1, paragraph B, an advocate as defined in Title 16, section 53-B, subsection 1, paragraph A or a victim witness advocate as defined in Title 16, section 53-C, subsection 1, paragraph C;
 
(2) A statement signed by a health care provider, mental health care provider or law enforcement officer, including the license number of the health care provider, mental health care provider or law enforcement officer if licensed;
 
(3) A copy of a protection from abuse complaint or a temporary order or final order of protection;
 
(4) A copy of a protection from harassment complaint or a temporary order or final order of protection from harassment;
 
(5) A copy of a police report prepared in response to an investigation of an incident of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking; and
 
(6) A copy of a criminal complaint, indictment or conviction for a domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking charge.
Sec. 4. 19-A MRSA §4005, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2015, c. 443, §11, is further amended to read:
 
1. Filing.   An adult who has been abused by a family or household member or a dating partner may seek relief by filing a complaint alleging that abuse.
 
When a minor child in the care or custody of a family or household member or a dating partner has been abused by a family or household member or a dating partner, a person responsible for the child, as defined in Title 22, section 4002, subsection 9, or a representative of the department may seek relief by filing a petition alleging that abuse.
 
An adult who has been a victim of conduct defined as stalking in Title 17-A, section 210-A or described as sexual assault in Title 17-A, chapter 11 or described as unauthorized dissemination of certain private images in Title 17-A, section 511-A or described as aggravated sex trafficking or sex trafficking in Title 17-A, section 852 or 853, respectively, whether or not the conduct was perpetrated by a family or household member or dating partner, may seek relief by filing a complaint alleging that conduct without regard to whether criminal prosecution has occurred. When a minor has been a victim of such conduct or conduct described in Title 17-A, section 282 or 283 or harassment as described in Title 17-A, section 506, subsection 1, paragraph A-1 or A-2, the minor's parent, other person responsible for the child or a representative of the department may seek relief by filing a petition alleging that conduct.
 
When an adult who is 60 years of age or older or a dependent adult, as defined in Title 22, section 3472, subsection 6, or an incapacitated adult, as defined in Title 22, section 3472, subsection 10, has been the victim of abuse as defined in section 4002, subsection 1 or Title 22, section 3472, subsection 1 by an extended family member or an unpaid care provider, the adult victim, the adult victim's legal guardian or a representative of the department may seek relief by filing a complaint alleging the abusive conduct. For the purposes of this subsection, "extended family member" includes, but is not limited to: a person who is related to the victim by blood, marriage or adoption, whether or not the person resides or has ever resided with the victim. "Unpaid care provider" includes, but is not limited to, a caretaker who voluntarily provides full, intermittent or occasional personal care to the adult victim in the victim's home similar to the way a family member would provide personal care.
 
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 128th Legislature, Second Special Session, unless otherwise indicated.