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An Act To Encourage Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  5 MRSA §12004-C, sub-§8  is enacted to read:
 
8.     
Sec. 2.  20-A MRSA §11  is enacted to read:
§ 11. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Council
 
1.  Establishment; composition.     The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Council, established in Title 5, section 12004-C, subsection 8 and referred to in this section as "the council," consists of the following 12 members:
 
A.  Four ex officio members:
 
(1) The Commissioner of Education;
 
(2) The Chancellor of the University of Maine System;
 
(3) The President of the Maine Community College System; and
 
(4) The Commissioner of Labor; and
 
B.  The following 8 members, appointed by the Governor:
 
(1) A representative from the University of Maine, Maine Center for Research in STEM Education;
 
(2) A representative that teaches in elementary or middle school;
 
(3) A representative that teaches science or mathematics in secondary school;
 
(4) A representative that teaches in a technical school;
 
(5) A representative of public and private education partnerships;
 
(6) A representative of a statewide science, technology, engineering and mathematics collaborative;
 
(7) A representative from the business sector who employs workers with training in science, technology, engineering or mathematics; and
 
(8) A representative employed in an industry related to science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
 
2.  Terms; vacancy.     The members of the council appointed pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph B serve for 2-year terms and serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. A member of the council is eligible for reappointment to the council. A vacancy in the council does not impair the right of a quorum of the members to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the council. In the event of a vacancy occurring in the membership, the Governor shall appoint a replacement member for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
 
3.  Duties.     The council shall develop strategies for enhancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics education from prekindergarten through postsecondary education and:
 
A.  Review research that has been conducted on science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in the State and recommend strategic directions for consideration by policy makers as they identify future investments in science, technology, engineering and mathematics;
 
B.  Plan for coordinated state leadership with respect to science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and initiatives;
 
C.  Develop initiatives to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics education;
 
D.  Devise strategies for promoting career and technical education alignment and supporting early career planning and transition supports from high school to college and to the workforce; and
 
E.  Propose methods for integrating out-of-school programs focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics with school-based programs, with the goal of inspiring more students to concentrate in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
 
4.  Chair; vice-chair.     The council shall elect from its membership a chair and a vice-chair. The chair and vice-chair serve for one-year terms. The chair and vice-chair serve until their successors are elected. The chair calls meetings of the council and presides over meetings. The vice-chair serves as the chair in the absence of the chair.
 
5.  Meetings; quorum.     The council shall meet at least 2 times each year. The chair shall establish the agenda. A quorum of the council is 7 members.
 
6.  Compensation.     Members of the council appointed pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph B are entitled to receive compensation for travel expenses as allowed under Title 5, section 12004-C, subsection 8 while engaged in council activities.
 
7.  Assistance.     The Department of Education, the University of Maine System and the Maine Community College System shall jointly provide staff support to the council.
 
8.  Annual report.     On or before January 15th annually, the council shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters.
 
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Council to develop strategies for enhancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics education from prekindergarten through postsecondary education.