b"Our bills in the 2019 Legislature con't: LD 1475-An Act to Eliminate Profiling in MaineThis bill prohibits profiling on the basis of actual or perceivedrace, ethnicity,gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, socioeconomic status,age, national origin or ancestryby law enforcement. The billalso requiresthat training of law enforcement officers include anti-profiling educationand instruction, and directs the Attorney General to establish proceduresfor receiving, investigating and responding to complaints alleging profilingby law enforcement officers or law enforcement agencies.EqualityMaine supported this bill; it was passed by thelegislature and signed into law by the governor! LD 1632-An Act Regarding Criminal Procedure with Respect toAllowable DefensesThis bill prohibits the use of the gay and trans panic defense - a legalstrategy that asks a jury to find that a victims sexual orientation or genderidentity explains, and oftenexcuses, a defendants violent reaction. For acommunity already facing a disproportionate risk of violence, the gay andtrans panic defense quite literally adds insult to injury because it allows adefense attorney to use a victims sexual orientation or gender identityagainst them in court, sending the message that violence against LGBTQ+people is acceptable, and even justifiable.EqualityMaine supported this bill; it was passed by thelegislature and signed into law by the governor!Read more on the following page! 3"