Resolve, To Ensure Safe and Inclusive Learning Environments

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  concerns about safe and inclusive learning environments for LGBTQ students and educators in Maine schools exist; and

Whereas,  this resolve requires a working group to be convened to study these concerns; and

Whereas,  the working group needs to make recommendations as soon as possible to be implemented in Maine schools; and

Whereas,  the working group must be convened before the 90-day period expires in order that the working group may complete its work and submit a report in time to allow submission of legislation to the next legislative session; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Working group on safe and inclusive learning environments. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Education shall convene the Working Group on Safe and Inclusive Learning Environments, referred to in this resolve as "the working group."

Sec. 2. Working group membership. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Education shall include at least the following in the membership of the working group: students; educators; representatives of legal or advocacy groups with experience supporting the LGBTQ community; members of the Department of Education with expertise in curriculum and in social and emotional development; and representatives of stakeholder groups such as the Maine Education Association, the Maine Principals' Association, the Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities and the Maine School Management Association. For purposes of this resolve, "LGBTQ" includes but is not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual.

Sec. 3. Duties. Resolved: That the working group shall review and develop recommendations on at least the following:

1. Classroom-based practices that are inclusive of students and educators who identify as LGBTQ;

2. Hiring and recruiting practices that are inclusive of educators who identify as LGBTQ;

3. Exemplar policies for inclusive practices for students and educators who identify as LGBTQ;

4. Creation of a database of effective instructional practices that are inclusive of students and families who identify as LGBTQ;

5. Professional development and cultural competency training for educators; and

6. Creation of a curriculum audit document in which school administrative units map places where LGBTQ voices, stories and histories are included in the curriculum.

Sec. 4. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 1, 2019, the Commissioner of Education shall submit a report that includes the working group's findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature. The Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs may report out legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature based on the recommendations.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

This resolve directs the Commissioner of Education to convene a working group to review and develop recommendations to ensure safe and inclusive learning environments for LGBTQ students and educators in Maine schools. The commissioner is required to submit the working group's report to the Legislature by December 1, 2019. The Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs may report out legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature based on the recommendations.

For purposes of this resolve, "LGBTQ" includes but is not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual.