Maine LD 2106: An Act to Prohibit the Disclosure of Nonpublic Records without Proper Judicial Review

Dear Sen. Carney, Rep. Kuhn and Honorable Members of the Judiciary Committee:

I have lived in Portland, Maine for 20 years. I have worked with a range of organizations, benefited from our state’s public civic institutions and have formed relationships with people from all over the world, in our home state of Maine.  

For close to 10 years, I volunteered at Portland Adult Education, helping teach English to newcomers to the U.S. The paths that brought these students to the classrooms were as varied as the stories they told about their lives: their deep hope for their children’s futures, how their own skills and hidden talents provide motivation, and their desire to create a new life in a new home. With additional language skills, they have moved into all segments of our workforce.

Not only have I worked beside immigrants, I have benefited from their contributions in the workforce: when I took my aging parents to the emergency room and when they have needed in-home care; when I taught classes at public institutions; when I supported with work of non-profits dedicated to helping provide youth with more learning opportunities.

I am concerned that federal law enforcement actions of recent days are not only creating fear but impacting the social fabric of our community. The functioning of our society is being disrupted when people are not able to access services, go to school and work, and engage with public institutions. For these reasons, I support LD 1206.

LD 2106 is a measured and practical approach to setting clear guidelines for effective, responsible and reasonable law enforcement.  I urge you to vote “ought to pass” LD 2106.

Sincerely,

Katrina Hoop

Portland, ME