An Act To Include Mental Health Education in Maine Schools
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1024
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: CARSON
Amends: 20-A MRSA §4711, 20-A MRSA §4712, 20-A MRSA §4723

Legislative Document
No. 1024
S.P. 303
In Senate, February 28, 2019
An Act To Include Mental Health Education in Maine Schools
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator CARSON of Cumberland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §4711, as amended by PL 2009, c. 313, §11, is further 
amended to read:
§4711.  Elementary course of study
The basic course of study for the elementary schools must provide for the instruction 
of all students in career and education development, English language arts, world 
languages, health education and physical education, mathematics, science and 
technology, social studies and visual and performing arts, as described in the parameters 
for essential instruction and graduation requirements subject to the schedule specified in 
section 6209.  Instruction in health education must recognize the multiple dimensions of 
health by including instruction in mental health and the relationship between physical and 
mental health in order to enhance student understanding, attitudes and behaviors that 
promote health, well-being and human dignity.
Sec. 2.  20-A MRSA §4712, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 313, §12, is amended to 
read:
§4712.  Junior high school or middle school course of study
The basic course of study for the junior high schools or middle schools must provide 
for the instruction of all students in career and education development, English language 
arts, health education and physical education, mathematics, science and technology, 
social studies, visual and performing arts and world languages, as described in the 
parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements subject to the schedule 
specified in section 6209.  Instruction in health education must recognize the multiple 
dimensions of health by including instruction in mental health and the relationship 
between physical and mental health in order to enhance student understanding, attitudes 
and behaviors that promote health, well-being and human dignity.
Sec. 3.  20-A MRSA §4723, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. C, §§5 and 
7, is amended to read:
The secondary course of study shall must include instruction in health, safety and 
physical education, as prescribed by the commissioner, and physiology and hygiene, with 
special reference to the effects of alcoholic drinks, stimulants and narcotics upon the 
human system.  Instruction in health, safety and physical education must recognize the 
multiple dimensions of health by including instruction in mental health and the 
relationship between physical and mental health in order to enhance student 
understanding, attitudes and behaviors that promote health, well-being and human 
dignity.
SUMMARY
This bill requires health education instruction in elementary, middle, junior high and 
high school to include instruction in mental health and the relationship between physical 
and mental health.