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LD 492

Resolution, Proposing An Amendment To The Constitution Of Maine To Provide For Parental Rights

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jack Ducharme and 9 co-sponsors

Failed Maine constitutional amendment proposal would have established explicit parental rights protections; died in Senate May 2025 with 19-13 vote against passage.

Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
#billofrights #domesticrelations #parentalrights
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Bill Summary · LD 492

Legislative bill overview

LD 492 proposed a constitutional amendment to establish explicit parental rights protections in Maine's constitution. The resolution died in the Maine Senate on May 20, 2025, when lawmakers voted 19-13 to accept a "Ought Not to Pass" report, effectively killing the measure.

Why is this important

Constitutional amendments represent fundamental changes to governing documents and are rarely undertaken. This proposal would have elevated parental rights to constitutional status, potentially affecting education decisions, medical choices, and child-rearing authority—areas currently governed by state statute rather than constitutional protection.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope ambiguity: The resolution text doesn't specify which parental rights would be constitutionally protected, raising questions about whether this could override existing child welfare laws, education requirements, or medical treatment standards
  • Competing interests: Tension between parental authority and child protection laws, education policy, and medical decision-making in cases involving minors' health or safety
  • Implementation uncertainty: Constitutional protections could trigger extensive litigation to define boundaries, potentially creating years of legal conflict over what rights are actually protected

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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