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An Act To Promote Compassion in Schoolchildren
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §4704-A  is enacted to read:
§ 4704-A.  Promoting compassion and humanity
The commissioner shall prescribe by rule a course of study for all students in elementary and secondary schools, including private institutions, and for the homeschooling curriculum. The course must include the principles of compassion and humanity to all living creatures, including animals and birds. For the purpose of this section, “compassion” means empathy and awareness of the interdependence of living things. The course of study must at a minimum be for 1/2 hour per week during the school year.
 
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to prescribe by rule a course of study to instruct students in all grades, including homeschooled students and students in private schools, on the principles of compassion and humanity to all living creatures, including animals and birds. The course must be at a minimum 1/2 hour per week during the school year.