Resolve, To Encourage the Use of Safe Chemicals in Public Schools
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 0088
Committee Amendment CA_A_S84 (Senate)

Majority 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 32, L.D. 88, "Resolve, To Encourage 
the Use of Safe Chemicals in Public Schools" 
Amend the resolve by striking out everything after the title and before the summary 
and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. Department of Education to consult with the Department of 
Environmental Protection and the Board of Pesticides Control in promoting 
the implementation of green cleaning programs in schools. Resolved: That 
the Department of Education, referred to in this resolve as "the department," in 
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consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of 
Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, Board of Pesticides Control, shall: 
1. Compile a list of cleaning products that have been certified as meeting health-
based criteria for safety and efficacy by a 3rd-party independent agency such as 
Green Seal or that have been listed by the Department of Administrative and 
Financial Services, Bureau of General Services, Division of Purchases as 
environmentally preferred janitorial products. The department shall distribute this list 
yearly to every school administrative unit in the State after updating the list; 
2. Compile a list of disinfectants that have been evaluated using criteria established 
by the Division of Purchases or other acceptable criteria for environmentally 
preferred janitorial products and registered by the Board of Pesticides Control. The 
department shall distribute this list yearly to every school administrative unit in the 
State after updating the list; and 
3. Develop recommendations for cleaning procedures that will reduce the use of 
toxic chemicals and improve indoor air quality while meeting performance standards 
for cleanliness. The department shall distribute descriptions of these recommended 
procedures, referred to as "green cleaning procedures," to every school administrative 
unit in the State; and be it further 
Sec. 2. 
Department of Education to provide information on the 
regulation of pesticides. Resolved: That the department shall inform each school 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A' " to S.P. 32, L.D. 88 
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administrative unit in the State that the use of pesticides in and around schools is 
regulated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, Board of 
Pesticides Control and provide contact information for the board. The department shall 
advise each school administrative unit to contact the Board of Pesticides Control for 
copies of the board's rules that apply to schools and for any assistance needed in 
interpreting the rules; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Recognition of school administrative units that commit to a green 
cleaning program. Resolved: That the department shall compile and maintain a list 
of school administrative units that have committed to implementing a green cleaning 
program. The department shall make this list available to the public. A green cleaning 
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program is one that uses cleaning products and disinfectants on the lists distributed under 
section I in a manner consisten~ with the green cleaning procedures described under 
section I.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment is the majority report of the committee. This amendment replaces 
the resolve. The resolve directs the department to compile a list of safe alternatives to 
chemicals used in schools as cleaning agents and pesticides and to distribute the list. The 
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amendment directs the Department of Education to take certain steps to promote adoption 
of green cleaning programs in schools. It directs the department to consult with the 
Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture, Food and 
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Rural Resources, Board of Pesticides Control in compiling lists of preferred cleaning 
products and disinfectants and developing recommended cleaning procedures. 
The 
department is also directed to make available a list of schools that have committed to a 
green cleaning program. 
fISCAL \OTE REOLIRXD 
1~ee. Jittached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 04/30107 .;Wac:. 
LD88 
LR 691(02) 
Resolve, To Encourage the Use of Safe Chemicals in Public Schools 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ''A " 
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Additional costs to the Department of Education to compile the required lists and to make available to the public a list 
of schools that have committed to a green cleaning program can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
Any additional costs to the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture can be 
absorbed utilizing existing budgeted resources. 
LR069 1(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1