Section 348-3-1 - PURPOSE, EFFECT, AND CONSTRUCTION1.PurposePursuant to 5 M.R.S. §4566(7), the Maine Human Rights Commission has adopted the following regulations to implement Subchapter 3 of the Maine Human Rights Act, 5 M.R.S. §§4551-4634 ("the Act" or "MHRA"), which prohibits employment discrimination because of protected class status.
2.EffectThese regulations shall be accorded the full force and effect of interpretative administrative regulations.
3.ConstructionA. Consistent with the public policy underlying the Act (as expressed in §4552), and with firmly established principles for the interpretation of such humanitarian legislation, the remedial provisions of the Act shall be given broad construction and its exceptions shall be construed narrowly.B. The provisions of these regulations are severable. If any provision or the application of any provision of these regulations to any person or circumstances is invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.C. References to "employer" or "employers" in this chapter state principles that are applicable not only to employers but also to labor organizations and to employment agencies insofar as their action or inaction may adversely affect employment opportunities.