{"data":{"id":"us-me/5-m.r.s.-4553-a","jurisdiction":"us-me","citation":"5 M.R.S. §4553-A","heading":"Physical or mental disability","body":"1.  Physical or mental disability, defined.  \"Physical or mental disability\" means:\nA.  A physical or mental impairment that:\n(1)  Substantially limits one or more of a person's major life activities;\n(2)  Significantly impairs physical or mental health; or\n(3)  Requires special education, vocational rehabilitation or related services;\nB.  Without regard to severity unless otherwise indicated:  absent, artificial or replacement limbs, hands, feet or vital organs; alcoholism; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; bipolar disorder; blindness or abnormal vision loss; cancer; cerebral palsy; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Crohn's disease; cystic fibrosis; deafness or abnormal hearing loss; diabetes; substantial disfigurement; epilepsy; heart disease; HIV or AIDS; kidney or renal diseases; lupus; major depressive disorder; mastectomy; intellectual disability; multiple sclerosis; muscular dystrophy; paralysis; Parkinson's disease; pervasive developmental disorders; rheumatoid arthritis; schizophrenia; and acquired brain injury;\nC.  With respect to an individual, having a record of any of the conditions in paragraph A or B; or\nD.  With respect to an individual, being regarded as having or likely to develop any of the conditions in paragraph A or B.\n2.  Additional terms.  For purposes of this section:\nA.  The existence of a physical or mental disability is determined without regard to the ameliorative effects of mitigating measures such as medication, auxiliary aids or prosthetic devices; and\nB.  \"Significantly impairs physical or mental health\" means having an actual or expected duration of more than 6 months and impairing health to a significant extent as compared to what is ordinarily experienced in the general population.\n3.  Exceptions.  \"Physical or mental disability\" does not include:\nA.  Pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism, sexual behavior disorders, compulsive gambling, kleptomania, pyromania or tobacco smoking;\nB.  Any condition covered under section 4553, subsection 9‑C; or\nC.  Psychoactive substance use disorders resulting from current illegal use of drugs, although this may not be construed to exclude an individual who:\n(1)  Has successfully completed a supervised drug rehabilitation program and is no longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs or has otherwise been rehabilitated successfully and is no longer engaging in such use;\n(2)  Is participating in a supervised rehabilitation program and is no longer engaging in such use;\n(3)  Is erroneously regarded as engaging in such use, but is not engaging in such use; or\n(4)  In the context of a reasonable accommodation in employment, is seeking treatment or has successfully completed treatment.","path":["TITLE 5: ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND SERVICES","PART 12: HUMAN RIGHTS","CHAPTER 337: HUMAN RIGHTS ACT","SUBCHAPTER 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS"],"source_url":"https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/5/title5sec4553-A.html","current_through":"October 1, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-04T15:12:22Z","sha256":"d7e979d5898468cbef514ca92b4d1361f6a91a1ff68172bfa1b8111a6060aa09","source_id":"us-me","stale":false,"prev":"us-me/5-m.r.s.-4553","next":"us-me/5-m.r.s.-4554"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}