Maine's Human Rights Act currently outlaws discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation, credit and education opportunity. On Wednesday, the legislature's Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary heard testimony on LD 507, a proposed amendment that would penalize failure to provide "reasonable accommodation of Native American religious practices or ceremonies" in state prisons and county jails. Yesterday's Bangor Daily News reports that Denise Lord, associate commissioner for the Department of Corrections, said that DOC supports the goals of the bill. She suggested, however, that it be placed in the statutes that govern DOC instead of in the Human Rights Law. She also suggested that the provision be broadened to apply to all religions. No one testified against the bill.
UPDATE: Sunday's Portland (ME) Press Herald reports on the continuing controversy at the Maine State Prison in Warren over whether the state has done enough to accommodate the religious practices of 18 Native American inmates.
