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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST REGULAR SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 492H.P. 321House of Representatives, February 11, 2025
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of
Maine to Provide for Parental Rights
Received by the Clerk of the House on February 6, 2025. Referred to the Committee on
Judiciary pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative POIRIER of Skowhegan.
Cosponsored by Senator HAGGAN of Penobscot and
Representatives: DUCHARME of Madison, GIFFORD of Lincoln, GRIFFIN of Levant,
HAGGAN of Hampden, LYMAN of Livermore Falls, QUINT of Hodgdon, THORNE of
Carmel, WADSWORTH of Hiram. Page 1 - 132LR1308(01)1
2 Legislature concurring, that the following amendment to the Constitution of Maine be
3 proposed:
4is enacted to read:
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6 children are held by their parents or guardians until the age of majority or a grant of
7 emancipation. This State, its political subdivisions and all governmental entities may not
8 infringe on the authority of parents to direct the upbringing, education and care for the
9 physical, mental and spiritual health of their children, absent abuse or neglect by the parent
10 or guardian or criminal acts by the minor.
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13 respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding
14 a statewide election, at a statewide election held in the month of November following the
15 passage of this resolution, to vote upon the ratification of the amendment proposed in this
16 resolution by voting upon the following question:
17 "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to describe parental
18 rights that are reserved to the parent of a minor child and limit the
19 infringement of these rights by the State or a political subdivision of the
20 State?"
21 The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question
22 and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within the corresponding square
23 below the word "Yes" or "No." The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and declared
24 in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of State in
25 the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature. The Governor shall review the
26 returns. If it appears that a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of the amendment,
27 the Governor shall proclaim that fact without delay and the amendment becomes part of
28 the Constitution of Maine on the date of the proclamation.
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30 shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies of
31 this resolution necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum.
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33 This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to provide that the natural,
34 inherent and unalienable rights of minor children are held by their parents or guardians
35 until the age of majority or a grant of emancipation and that this State, its political
36 subdivisions and all governmental entities may not infringe on the authority of parents to
37 direct the upbringing, education and care for the physical, mental and spiritual health of
38 their children, absent abuse or neglect by the parent or guardian or criminal acts by the
39 minor.
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