14 §1218. Protection of jurors' employment and health insurance - Maine Statutes

Title 14: COURT PROCEDURE -- CIVIL

Part 3: TRIAL AND JUDGMENT

Chapter 305: JURIES

Subchapter 1-A: JURY SERVICE

§1218. Protection of jurors' employment and health insurance

An employer may not deprive an employee of employment or health insurance coverage, or threaten or otherwise coerce the employee with respect to loss of employment or health insurance coverage, because the employee receives a summons for jury service, responds to a summons for jury service, serves as a juror or attends court for prospective jury service. [1989, c. 801, §1 (AFF); 1989, c. 801, §1 (RPR).]

Any employer who violates this section is guilty of a Class E crime. [1989, c. 801, §1 (AFF); 1989, c. 801, §1 (RPR).]

If an employer discharges an employee or terminates the health insurance coverage of an employee in violation of this section, the employee may bring a civil action within 90 days for recovery of wages or health insurance benefits lost as a result of the violation and for an order requiring the reinstatement of the employee. Damages recoverable for wages may not exceed lost wages for 6 weeks. If the employee prevails, the employee must be allowed a reasonable attorney's fee fixed by the court. [1989, c. 801, §1 (AFF); 1989, c. 801, §1 (RPR).]

SECTION HISTORY

1971, c. 391, §1 (NEW). 1979, c. 541, §A139 (AMD). 1979, c. 663, §80 (AMD). 1989, c. 801, §§1,4 (RPR).