The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)’s Office of Civil Rights has found Maine to be in violation of Title IX protections of girls in school sports, according to a letter it sent to Maine Governor Janet Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey.
Late last month, the federal office announced it was investigating the Maine Department of Education’s refusal to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order barring transgender athletes from playing on girls’ teams.
“It is shameful that Governor Mills refuses to stand with women and girls. Her rejection of the anti-discrimination obligations that Maine voluntarily accepted when it agreed to receive federal taxpayer dollars is unlawful. OCR is still actively investigating Maine and one of its school administrative districts for apparent violations of federal law,” Acting Assistant Secretary Craig Trainor said on February 26.
Maine’s refusal to comply with the federal directive led to a public stand-off between President Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills, who on February 21 vowed “we’ll see you in court.”
On Wednesday and Thursday, Maine outlets cited a Bangor Daily News report that the federal government had ruled against the state after only a four day investigation.
At stake is an estimated $280 million in funds the federal government provides Maine schools, either through support for special education or direct grants to universities and technical schools. Gov. Mills’ has asserted that banning biological males who identify as females from girls’ sports would violate the Maine Human Rights Act.
More recently, however, Mills has said the question is “worthy of a debate.”
The next stage in that debate may well be seen in how Maine responds to the federal finding, whether funds are withheld, and what court actions may ensue.
