April 30th, 2023
Public Hearing on LD 618, An Act to Eliminate CRT, Social and Emotional Learning and DEI from School Curricula and LD 1008 – An Act to Establish a Rating System for Books in School Libraries
Committee – Education and Cultural Affairs
Date: Thursday, May 4
Time: 1:00pm
Here’s what LD 618 would prohibit:
Prohibition. A school administrative unit may not provide instruction in critical race theory, social and emotional learning, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in school curricula. For the purposes of this section, "critical race theory, social and emotional learning and diversity, equity and inclusion" means instruction that:
A. One race or sex is inherently better than another race or sex;
B. By virtue of the individual's race or sex, an individual is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously;
C. An individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of the individual's race or sex;
D. Members of one race or sex cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to race or sex;
E. An individual's moral character is necessarily determined by the individual's race or sex;
F. An individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress solely because of the individual's race or sex; and
G. Meritocracy or traits, such as having a work ethic, are racist or sexist or were created by members of a particular race to oppress members of another race.
Other bills of interest for public hearing in the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs – bills pertaining to school boards
Date: Tuesday, May 2
Time: 1:00
LD 1300 – An Act to Give the Governing Board of a Municipality Input into the Budget Developed by a School Board - town council has to approve the school budget before being submitted to the voters for approval
LD 1567 – An Act to Create a Training Program for School Board Members and Establish School Board Meeting Standards – Rep Lyman of Livermore Falls, several R’s. - This bill requires the Department of Education to create a training program and meeting standards for school board members and establishes a legislative committee to review the training program and meeting standards and suggest means of disseminating the training program to school board members. The bill provides for the removal from office of a school board member who violates the meeting standards.-
LD 1571 – An Act to Provide Meaningful Public Participation at Local School Board Meetings – Rep Lyman of Livermore Falls, several R’s. This bill requires school boards to provide an opportunity for the public to provide meaningful comment on school and education matters at a school board meeting and prohibits time limits and conduct standards established by the school board from limiting meaningful public comment and participation.
LD 1697 - An Act to Implement Background Checks for School Board Members - Rep Andrews of Paris - school board members must have background checks with screening requirements identical to those required for coaches and substitute teachers.
To submit testimony on a bill of interest, go to https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony and
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To find out more about these bills, go to Maine State Legislature
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