An Act To Protect the Quality and Integrity of Maine's Educational Materials
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1425
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: EVES
Amends: 20-A MRSA §254, 20-A MRSA §1001, 20-A MRSA §1055, 20-A MRSA §4502

Legislative Document 
No. 1425 
H.P. 1048 
House of Representatives, April 6, 2011 
An Act To Protect the Quality and Integrity of Maine's Educational 
Materials 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative EVES of North Berwick. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §254, sub-§13 is enacted to read: 
13.  Educational materials.  Annually, beginning with school year 2012-2013, the 
commissioner shall review school board policies for selecting and purchasing educational 
materials to ensure that the policies comply with the requirements set forth in section 
1001, subsection 10-A and the rules adopted or amended pursuant to section 4502, 
subsection 5, paragraph Q.  If the commissioner finds that a school administrative unit 
fails to comply with the requirements set forth in section 1001, subsection 10-A, the 
commissioner shall: 
A.  Implement the enforcement measures established in the basic school approval 
rules adopted pursuant to section 4502, subsection 5; and 
B.  Notify the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
education matters of the school administrative unit that is in noncompliance with the 
requirements set forth in section 1001, subsection 10-A. 
Sec. 2.  20-A MRSA §1001, sub-§10-A, as amended by PL 2001, c. 588, §7, is 
further amended to read: 
10-A.  Educational materials.  They shall adopt a policy governing the selection of 
educational materials and may approve educational materials.  Beginning with school 
year 2012-2013 and each subsequent school year, the school board shall amend the policy 
adopted for the selection of educational materials and may approve only educational 
materials that are consistent with a course of study aligned with the system of learning 
results established in section 6209 and with department rules implementing that section. 
Sec. 3.  20-A MRSA §1055, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2001, c. 588, §16, is 
further amended to read: 
4.  Educational materials.  The superintendent is responsible for carrying out the 
policies of the school board established pursuant to section 1001, subsection 10-A for the 
selection and purchase of all educational materials.  Beginning with school year 2012-
2013 and each subsequent school year, the superintendent may not select or purchase 
educational materials that are inconsistent with state educational standards in the content 
areas of the system of learning results established in section 6209. 
Sec. 4.  20-A MRSA §4502, sub-§5, ¶O, as amended by PL 2007, c. 141, §9, is 
further amended to read: 
O.  Preparation of a written local policy and implementation of training for all 
guidance counselors and school personnel who administer reintegration planning 
pursuant to section 254, subsection 12, who participate in a reintegration team and 
who have access to confidential criminal justice information regarding juveniles 
pursuant to section 1055, subsection 12; and 
Sec. 5.  20-A MRSA §4502, sub-§5, ¶P, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 141, §10, is 
amended to read: 
P.  Provision of family outreach and support programs designed to improve parent-
school relations and parenting skills consistent with section 4252, subsection 8.; and 
Sec. 6.  20-A MRSA §4502, sub-§5, ¶Q is enacted to read: 
Q.  Selection or purchase of educational materials that are consistent with the state 
educational standards in the content areas of the system of learning results established 
in section 6209. 
SUMMARY 
This bill requires that, beginning with school year 2012-2013, each school board 
amend its policy adopted for the selection of educational materials and approve only 
educational materials that are consistent with a course of study aligned with the system of 
learning results established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 6209 and 
with Department of Education rules pertaining to school approval standards.  The bill also 
requires the Commissioner of Education to annually review school board policies for 
selecting and purchasing educational materials, to implement the enforcement measures 
established by rule and to notify the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over education matters of the school administrative units that fail to comply 
with these requirements.