APPROVED CHAPTER
APRIL 9, 2024 601
BY GOVERNOR PUBLIC LAW
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR
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S.P. 882 - L.D. 2089
An Act Regarding Drug Awareness Instruction in Secondary Schools
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §4723, as amended by PL 2019, c. 106, §3 and c. 196, §1, is
further amended to read:
§4723. Health and physical education
The secondary course of study must include instruction in health, safety and physical
education, as prescribed by the commissioner, and physiology and hygiene, with special
reference to the effects of alcoholic drinks, stimulants and, narcotics and other dangerous
drugs such as fentanyl upon the human system. Health education must include instruction
that addresses the relationship between physical and mental health in order to enhance
student understanding of attitudes toward and behavior relating to mental illness and to
eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness. The secondary course of study must
also include instruction on affirmative consent, communication and decision making
regarding sexual activity and the effects of alcoholic drinks, stimulants and, narcotics and
other dangerous drugs such as fentanyl on the ability to give affirmative consent,
communicate and make appropriate decisions. For purposes of this section, "affirmative
consent" means consent to sexual activity that can be revoked at any time and does not
include silence, lack of resistance or consent given while intoxicated.
A secondary school may supplement instruction on youth substance use and youth
substance use disorder by observing a drug awareness week during the month of October
each year with appropriate activities and programming.
Page 1 - 131LR2631(03)
Statutes affected: Bill Text ACTPUB , Chapter 601: 20-A.4723