Discrimination at Work
5 M.R.S. § 4572 — any employer of any size, and a complaint within 300 days
An employer may not refuse to hire, fire, or discriminate in pay, terms or conditions because of race or color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin or familial status, nor because of a past workers' compensation claim, protected whistleblower activity, or a protection order the person obtained.
Who handles this in Maine: Maine Human Rights Commission; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Maine directory.
An employer is anyone in Maine employing any number of employees.
Three hundred days. A complaint under oath is filed with the Maine Human Rights Commission not more than 300 days after the act of discrimination.
Attorney's fees and damages in a later lawsuit generally depend on having filed with the commission first, and on the commission dismissing the case, failing to settle it within 90 days after finding reasonable grounds, or issuing a right to sue letter received before the suit.
Sources for this section (4)
- 5 M.R.S. § 4572 — Unlawful employment discrimination
- 5 M.R.S. § 4553 — Definitions
- 5 M.R.S. § 4611 — Complaint
- 5 M.R.S. § 4622 — Limitations on attorneys' fees and damages; procedures
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maine attorney.