Bomb threat targets State House, home of Calais representative

A local state representative, Anne Perry of Calais, has been put into the national spotlight for sponsoring a bill that has gained controversy for its connection to supporting Maine's already existing abortion and gender-affirming medical treatment laws. The negative attention surrounding the bill, which was the subject of a legislative public hearing on March 5, culminated in a bomb threat directed at Perry's home, the State House in Augusta and the Democratic Party headquarters on March 8.
"It's about state sovereignty. That really is what this is about," Perry emphasizes about the bill, LD 227. "There is no federal law [regarding this type of care]. What happens in this state legally is a legal activity."
The bill "protects providers who are working legally in this state who are charged with something that is illegal in another state," along with protecting "people from another state who come to Maine for care," Perry explains. It does not preclude patients from other states gaining access to their own records or suing for medical practice, nor does it protect providers based in Maine who travel to another state to perform care that is illegal in that state. In her testimony on the bill, she stated, "What this bill does is make clear that access to reproductive healthcare and gender affirming care is legally protected in Maine. This bill also aims to protect patients from having their medical records shared with law enforcement agencies in other states while also protecting providers by allowing them to participate in the state's address confidentiality program."
The development of the bill was prompted by the actions of the Texas attorney general, who requested the medical records of patients who had traveled to another state for healthcare from that state, which is a breach of state sovereignty, Perry says.
Perry, a nurse by trade, compares the situation to the thalidomide tragedy of the 1960s. Prescribed to expecting mothers for morning sickness, it brought with it "horrible birth defects," including missing and deformed limbs. Abortion wasn't legal in the country, so women were going out of the country to have abortions.
"At the time, the United States didn't go to those countries and say, 'You performed an act that is illegal in our country and you should be charged.' That's how I'm looking at it. We have made our decision in this state."
The bill's vehement critics, including Rep. Joshua Morris of Turner, allege that it allows for kidnapping of minors and sex trafficking to take place. Perry, though, strongly disagrees. "Kidnapping is a federal law. If somebody kidnaps a child, that is illegal. It doesn't matter what state it is," she says. "The same goes for sex trafficking."
Recognizing that it is a "very emotional" topic for some people, Perry stresses that this particular bill does not directly affect the legality of medical care in the state. "I understand people don't like the laws we're protecting. But [this bill] is not changing those laws. Those laws are in place. This bill protects what is legal."
The bill, which is based on legislation passed in 17 other states and the District of Columbia, is gaining particular attention due to the coordinated efforts of its opponents across the country. Their efforts are "bringing the troops together," prompting 200 people to provide testimony during the hearing on March 5, all of whom spoke in opposition, Perry says.
In response to the bill, 16 attorney generals sent a letter threatening to sue to Maine, saying in part that the bill is a breach of the U.S. Constitution and that it imposes Maine laws on other states.
Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey responded to the letter in depth, pointing out that the bill is "not unprecedented," with 17 other states and Washington, D.C., having created similar shield laws. Having reviewed the bill, Frey has no doubts that it will hold up in court. "We do have a right to disagree, and I fully concur that one state cannot control another. Recognizing these shared values, I welcome your respect for Maine's ability to decide what access to healthcare people in Maine receive, free from interference by out of state actors."
The animosity surrounding the bill has been directed at Perry and the co sponsor of the bill, Senator Donna Bailey of Saco, leading to a bomb threat three days after the hearing. The emailed threat, which appeared to originate from a Russian email address, was intercepted by the Maine Capitol Police before Perry received it. The Capitol Police contacted the Calais Police Department, who immediately conducted a search of Perry's home and property in the early morning hours. The threat turned out to be a hoax.
Following the bomb threat, Rep. Kenneth "Bucket" Davis of East Machias spoke in the State House about how "terrible it was for somebody to do that," Perry recounts, and how he considers Perry a friend even though they don't always agree.
It was a "wonderful gesture" that indicates Maine's willingness to engage in civil discourse, Perry says. "We have a legislature I'm proud of. Yes, we disagree, but we work together. I'm very proud of Maine."