CHAPTER 654
H.P. 1180 - L.D. 1603
An Act to Expand Family Life Education Services in Maine Schools
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §1902, sub-§1-A is enacted to read:
1-A. Comprehensive family life education. "Comprehensive family life education" means education in kindergarten to grade 12 regarding human development and sexuality, including education on family planning and sexually transmitted diseases, that is medically accurate and age appropriate; that respects community values and encourages parental communication; that develops skills in communication, decision making and conflict resolution; that contributes to healthy relationships; that promotes responsible sexual behavior with an emphasis on abstinence; that addresses the use of contraception; that promotes individual responsibility and involvement regarding sexuality; and that teaches skills for responsible decision making regarding sexuality.
Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §§1910 and 1911 are enacted to read:
§1910. Comprehensive family life education services
The commissioner shall undertake initiatives to implement effective, comprehensive family life education services. In providing such services, the commissioner shall contract with local family planning programs to provide:
1. Training. Training for teachers, parents and community members in the development and implementation of comprehensive family life education curriculum and in planning for an evaluation component as part of comprehensive school health education;
2. Staff. Resource staff persons to provide expert training, curriculum development and implementation and evaluation services on a statewide basis;
3. Forums. Funding to promote and coordinate community and youth forums in communities identified as having high needs for comprehensive family life education;
4. Issue management; policy development training. Funding for issue management and policy development training for school boards, superintendents, principals and administrators across the State; and
5. Recognition of performance. Funding for grants to school-based comprehensive family life education programs to recognize outstanding performance and share strategies for success.
To the extent that comprehensive family life education takes place in a school, a parent may choose to not have that parent's child participate in a comprehensive family life education program.
Effective July 25, 2002, unless otherwise indicated.
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