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An Act To Protect the Quality and Integrity of Maine's Educational Materials
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.