AUGUSTA, Maine — A legislative attempt to strengthen laws against impersonating a veteran for personal gain breezed through its first hurdle Wednesday with a unanimous vote of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee.
Republican Senate President Mike Thibodeau’s bill, LD 1642, expands on a measure that went into law last year. That bill, LD 43, made it illegal — the crime of theft by deception — for a person to claim falsely to be a veteran or a member of the armed forces for personal gain.
That bill addressed only people making verbal false claims. Thibodeau’s current attempt would also make it illegal to in any way falsely imply military service — such as a person on a median strip with a “homeless veteran” sign.
“If somebody is putting on a uniform in an effort to mislead the public in an effort to get something, that should be a crime,” said Thibodeau. “To mislead and steal an honor that should be solely given to people who serve our country is the exact wrong thing to do and it should be a crime.”
Some members of the committee voiced concerns about unintended consequences, such as people who wear military uniforms for holidays or theatrical performances.
“I’m interested in satisfying the admirable intent of your bill without unintended consequences,” said Sen. Christopher Johnson, D-Somerville.
Thibodeau said his bill would not apply to those situations and that law enforcement can be trusted to use discretion.
“This bill is clear,” said Thibodeau. “It’s the intent to mislead in an effort to gain something.”
Thibodeau’s bill would funnel fines collected for violations to the Maine Military Family Relief Fund. Daniel Goddard, deputy commissioner for the Maine Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, testified in support of Thibodeau’s bill.
Thibodeau’s bill now moves to the full Legislature for consideration.
