Maine Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow “clean elections” candidates running for state office to use taxpayer-funding campaign financing to pay for caregiving services for their dependents.

The Maine Clean Elections Act (MCEA), enacted in 1996 by voter referendum, allows candidates for governor, state senator and state representative who meet certain requirements to receive public funding to finance their campaigns.

Under current state law, all taxpayer funds distributed to a certified “clean elections” candidate must be used for campaign-related purposes.

LD 818, or “An Act to Allow Expenditure of Maine Clean Election Act Funding for the Care of Candidates’ Dependents,” sponsored by Rep. Kristen Cloutier (D-Lewiston), seeks to amend the Clean Elections Act to add the cost of caregiving services for candidates’ dependents to the definition of “campaign-related purposes.”

If passed, “clean elections” candidates would be able to use taxpayer funds provided to them for the purpose of campaign financing in order to pay for caregiving services provided to their spouse, domestic partner or dependent family member.

The bill requires that the need for paid caregiving services be “directly connected with the candidate’s campaign activities during the election cycle,” and would not exist except for the candidate’s campaign.

LD 818 has been referred to the Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee where it will be scheduled for a public hearing.