AUGUSTA (AP) – Gov. John Baldacci has signed an executive order on access to state services that is being hailed by civil rights advocates in Maine.

“This order affirms that state services are available to all people in Maine without regard to personal characteristics,” Baldacci said in a statement Friday.

“State employees have performed under the guiding principle that the respect for the rights and dignity of all Maine residents must govern all aspects of their work. This order and resulting principles serve to solidify this trust and confidence,” Baldacci said.

The order seeks to spell out when a state employee may inquire about a person’s immigration status.

Among those meeting with Baldacci at the Blaine House on Friday were representatives of the Maine Civil Liberties Union and the Maine chapter of the NAACP.

AP-ES-04-10-04 1220EDT