UPDATED 3 P.M.: AUGUSTA (AP) — A bill that gives families of homicide victims more time to file a lawsuit will become law over the objections of Gov. Paul LePage.
The Maine House and Senate on Monday voted nearly unanimously to override LePage’s veto of the bill, which extends the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death suit, from two years to six years. The change only applies to deaths from homicides.
UPDATED 11:39 A.M.: AUGUSTA — The Senate voted unanimously Monday morning against Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill that extends the statute of limitations for wrongful death civil actions in homicide cases.
LD 1605 passed unanimously through the Judiciary Committee and both chambers of the Legislature after heavy lobbying and hours of public testimony by the families and loved ones of homicide victims whose cases have never been solved. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Linda Valentino, D-Saco, extends the time period when a wrongful death action can be taken from two years to six years.
“This bill was their idea,” said Valentino of families of cold case victims. “This bill was not my idea. They have advocated strongly for the bill’s passage, even though this bill will not help any of them. This bill is for future families who might be in the position to have to fight for their rights.”
LePage wrote in his April 8 veto letter that the bill “is nothing more than pandering to grieved families.”
“While this may sound like an eminently reasonable proposal, it provides nothing to the people who have lost loved ones,” wrote LePage. “This is a hollow bill making empty promises for political gain.”
The bill now heads to the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives for another veto override vote.
By Michael Shepherd, Bangor Daily News
Gov. Paul LePage delivered a couple of notable veto letters on Friday.
The Republican governor vetoed one bill that would have extended the statute of limitations for wrongful death actions relating to homicides. It was backed by Attorney General Janet Mills and was lobbied by families of homicide victims.
However, LePage said it “muddles a simple and clear statue of limitations to no practical end” and is “nothing more than pandering to grieved families.”
A group representing those families said they’re “outraged and insulted” by the letter and they’ll be in Augusta on Monday to urge the Legislature to override the veto, according to WGME.
But LePage also vetoed a bill that would implement recommendations of a state commission on disability.
In particular, he took issue with funding under the bill that’s directed toward the Maine Statewide Independent Living Council. The bill’s sponsor is Rep. Michael McClellan, R-Raymond, who is also the council’s executive director.
LePage called it “especially inappropriate” that McClellan was sponsoring the bill.
“Alas, so goes politics in Augusta,” he said.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
