Sec. 1. 17 MRSA c. 93-C is amended by repealing the chapter headnote and enacting the following in its place:

CHAPTER 93-C

INTERFERENCE WITH CONSTITUTIONAL AND CIVIL RIGHTS

Sec. 2. 17 MRSA §2931, first ¶, as amended by PL 1987, c. 695, §5, is further amended to read:

§2931. Prohibition

No A person may not, by force or threat of force, intentionally injure, intimidate or interfere with, or intentionally attempt to injure, intimidate or interfere with or intentionally oppress or threaten any other person in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege, secured to him that person by the Constitution of Maine or laws of the State or by the United States Constitution or laws of the United States.

SUMMARY

This bill changes the crime of harassment based on characteristics to interference with constitutional and civil rights to more accurately reflect these prohibited offenses.