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An Act To Protect Communications between Bargaining Agents and Bargaining Unit Members
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  26 MRSA §976  is enacted to read:
§ 976. Confidential communications
Communications between a bargaining agent and a member of a bargaining unit represented by that bargaining agent are confidential in any proceeding before the board to the same extent that such communications would be subject to the lawyer-client privilege under the Maine Rules of Evidence if the bargaining agent were a lawyer. The board may not accept evidence regarding such communications during any proceeding except under circumstances in which it would be admissible if the bargaining agent were a lawyer.
Sec. 2.  26 MRSA §979-V  is enacted to read:
§ 979-V. Confidential communications
Communications between a bargaining agent and a member of a bargaining unit represented by that bargaining agent are confidential in any proceeding before the board to the same extent that such communications would be subject to the lawyer-client privilege under the Maine Rules of Evidence if the bargaining agent were a lawyer. The board may not accept evidence regarding such communications during any proceeding except under circumstances in which it would be admissible if the bargaining agent were a lawyer.
 
SUMMARY
This bill makes communications between a bargaining agent and a municipal or state employee confidential in proceedings before the Maine Labor Relations Board to the same extent that such communications would be subject to the lawyer-client privilege under the Maine Rules of Evidence if the bargaining agent were a lawyer.