PRIA Logo™
MaineLD 1474132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

An Act to Strengthen the Teaching of Wabanaki Studies in Maine Schools

Sponsored By: Laurie Osher (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

SCHOOL PROGRAMSSCHOOL PROGRAMS - CURRICULUM

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

State specialist and funding for Wabanaki studies

The law creates a Wabanaki studies specialist at the Department of Education. The specialist helps schools and teachers find materials, plan classes, and connect with museums and other partners. Each year, the specialist reports to the Commissioner and the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission. Beginning July 1, 2027, the Department studies how schools are teaching Wabanaki studies at least every two years and posts results online. For 2026–27, the state provides a one-time $100,000: $50,000 for a review team and $50,000 for advisors, training, and technical help.

Wabanaki studies added to school standards

Maine public schools must include Wabanaki studies and the history of genocide as required subjects. Districts must align these topics with the state’s learning standards and graduation rules. When the state reviews standards, it now must include Wabanaki studies and Maine African American studies. Wabanaki studies must cover tribal governments and their government relationships; culture and history; territories; and economic systems. The program can appear across social studies, English, math, science, and the arts.

Board may require Wabanaki training for teachers

The State Board of Education can adopt rules that require a Wabanaki studies part for teacher certification. If the Board adopts these rules, teacher candidates must complete that component to be certified. The Board must decide by July 1, 2027 whether such a requirement is needed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Laurie Osher

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Aaron Dana

    T • House

  • Christina Mitchell

    Democratic • House

  • Craig V. Hickman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Eleanor Sato

    Democratic • House

  • Marianne Moore

    Republican • Senate

  • Matthea E. L. Daughtry

    Democratic • Senate

  • Matthew Beck

    Democratic • House

  • Rachel Talbot Ross

    Democratic • Senate

  • Ryan Fecteau

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 75 • No: 72

House vote • 6/10/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 75 • No: 72

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 762

    4/16/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    4/13/2026Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/13/2026House

  4. The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-577) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-681) thereto.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/13/2026House

  5. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table On motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-577) in concurrence. On further motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby Committee Amendment "A" (H-577) was ADOPTED. On further motion by Same Senator Senate Amendment "A" (S-681) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-577) READ and ADOPTED. Committee Amendment "A" (H-577) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-681) thereto ADOPTED. PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-577) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-681) thereto in NON-CONCURRENCE. Sent down for concurrence.

    4/13/2026Senate

  6. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.

    6/25/2025Senate

  7. On motion by Senator BERNARD of Aroostook PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence.

    6/11/2025Senate

  8. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/11/2025House

  9. Reports ReadOn motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-577) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-577) in concurrence.

    6/10/2025Senate

  10. Reports READ.On motion of Representative MURPHY of Scarborough, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 404(Yeas 75 - Nays 72 - Absent 2 - Excused 2)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-577) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-577). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/10/2025House

  11. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS in concurrence

    4/8/2025Senate

  12. Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/3/2025House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-577), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Amendment S-A to C-A (S-681), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation