This week at the ACLU of Maine: A public hearing at the State House about trans student athlete bans, preparing for an upcoming hearing on data privacy bills, and reflecting on the first 100 days of the Trump presidency.
Hundreds of people testify against anti-trans bills at public hearing
On Thursday, the Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on several bills aimed at restricting the rights of trans people in Maine, most of which targeted trans young people. The hearing drew hundreds of people from around the state who testified from 9:30 a.m. until midnight.
The overwhelming majority of speakers voiced strong opposition to the legislation, highlighting how these bills would violate the Maine Human Rights Act and undermine efforts to make schools safe, inclusive, and supportive environments for all. The ACLU of Maine was there to testify against the bills that would restrict gender affirming care, ban transgender girls from school athletics, and remove gender identity protections from the Maine Human Rights Act.
Despite the strong showing of opposition at the public hearing, these bills are still under consideration. There is still time to make your voice heard by urging lawmakers to vote against these bills. Click below to take action and tell lawmakers to protect freedom, privacy, and bodily autonomy for all.
ACLU prepares for initial votes on important data privacy bills
Next week, Maine lawmakers will likely take an initial vote on several bills that would affect data privacy for all people in Maine. There are several bills on the table, but only LD 1822 would be a comprehensive protection and expansion of Mainers' data privacy rights.
LD 1822 includes important features that would protect us. It would:
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Limit data collection: Companies would only be able to collect the minimum data necessary to provide a good or service – nothing more.
- Protect biometric data: Enact stronger safeguards to protect against lifelong identity theft through fingerprints, palm scans, facial scanning, and more.
- Protect civil rights: Prevent AI-generated, and often biased, decisions on things like hiring, housing, loans, and more.
- Empower consumers: Give consumers control over their data, including the right to know who holds their data, the right to correct it, and the right to delete it.
Lawmakers need to hear your voice -- click below to fill out an action form that asks legislators to protect our privacy.
Learn More About These Data Privacy Bills
Reflecting on the first 100 days of Trump
The first 100 days of the Trump administration have been marked by chaotic policy changes, attacks on dissent, and efforts to punish those with differing views, undermining democratic principles and the rule of law. In response, the ACLU has taken over 100 legal actions against the administration. We're just getting started -- but we need your help.
In an op-ed published in the Portland Press Herald last week, ACLU of Maine Executive Director Molly Curren Rowles called on Mainers to stay engaged, defend democratic values, and hold our leaders accountable. Read Molly's full op-ed here, and see ways you can help us take action here.
Don't forget! This Saturday, May 10th, join us in Augusta for the Save Maine Absentee Voting campaign kick-off! Learn more here.
Relevant reads:
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Maine Morning Star: ‘Buckle up’: Data privacy bills back before Maine Legislature
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Bangor Daily News: Maine case could become the Supreme Court’s test in transgender athlete debate
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News Center Maine: ACLU of Maine weighs in on debate over Wells Police Department's contract with ICE
