APPROVED CHAPTER
MARCH 14, 2024 537
BY GOVERNOR PUBLIC LAW
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR
_____
H.P. 1052 - L.D. 1642
An Act to Strengthen the Teaching of Wabanaki Studies in Maine Schools
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §4706, as amended by PL 2021, c. 247, §1 and affected by §3,
is further amended by amending the section headnote to read:
§4706. Instruction in American history, African American studies, Maine studies,
Maine Native American history Wabanaki studies and the history of genocide
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §4706, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2021, c. 247, §1 and
affected by §3, is further amended to read:
2. Maine studies. Maine history, including the Constitution of Maine, Maine
geography and environment and the natural, industrial and economic resources of Maine
and Maine's cultural and ethnic heritage, must be taught. A required component of Maine
studies is Maine Native American Wabanaki studies, and Wabanaki studies may be taught
as a component of other content areas, as appropriate, including but not limited to the
content areas of English language arts, mathematics, science and fine arts. Maine Native
American Wabanaki studies and Maine African American studies must be included in the
review of content standards and performance indicators of the learning results conducted
in accordance with section 6209, subsection 4. Maine Native American Wabanaki studies
must address the following topics:
A. Maine tribal Wabanaki governments and political systems and their relationship
with local, state, national and international governments;
B. Maine Native American Wabanaki cultural systems and the experience of Maine
tribal people throughout history;
C. Maine Native American Wabanaki territories; and
D. Maine Native American Wabanaki economic systems.
Sec. 3. Department of Education review of content standards; Wabanaki
studies. The Commissioner of Education shall, in the commissioner's next regular review
of the content standards and performance indicators by content area pursuant to the Maine
Page 1 - 131LR1566(03)
Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 6209, subsection 4, consider inclusion of Wabanaki
studies in content areas other than social studies, as appropriate.
Page 2 - 131LR1566(03)


Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 1642, HP 1052: 20-A.4706
Bill Text ACTPUB , Chapter 537: 20-A.4706