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MaineLD 957132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Integrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander History into the Statewide System of Learning Results

Sponsored By: Eleanor Sato (Democratic)

Became Law

SCHOOL POLICIESSCHOOL POLICIES - CURRICULUM

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

AANHPI and Wabanaki history in schools

The law adds Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history to Maine’s statewide learning standards that guide required instruction and graduation. This starts July 1, 2029, or earlier at the next major standards review. Maine studies must include Wabanaki studies, which may be taught inside other subjects, starting July 1, 2029. Wabanaki studies must cover governments and relations, culture and tribal experiences, territories, and economic systems. The standards review must include African American studies, AANHPI history (including Maine AANHPI and Maine African American studies), and the history of genocide, including the Holocaust. AANHPI instruction must cover Maine, regional, and U.S. history and contributions, and includes East Asian, Southeast Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Americans.

State tools to teach AANHPI history

The Department of Education must find and share AANHPI teaching resources, including Maine AANHPI history. It must create guidance, best practices, and sample lesson modules to help schools use this content. Within 30 days after the Act’s effective date, the Department must convene a volunteer advisory group with scholars, cultural groups, the State Archivist, and public members; at least one member must serve on any committee that reviews social studies standards. The Department must set up a process for local districts to audit their curriculum for fair and accurate AANHPI coverage. The Department must report progress to the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee by April 1, 2030. The law provides a one-time $15,000 General Fund appropriation in FY 2025–26 to help convene the advisory group, with no funding in 2026–27.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Eleanor Sato

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Aaron Dana

    T • House

  • Ambureen Rana

    Democratic • House

  • Christina Mitchell

    Democratic • House

  • Henry L. Ingwersen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Holly Sargent

    Democratic • House

  • Laurie Osher

    Democratic • House

  • Rachel Talbot Ross

    Democratic • Senate

  • Russell White

    Republican • House

  • Stephen Wood

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 19 • No: 13

Senate vote • 6/5/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 19 • No: 13

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 535

    5/1/2026

  2. HELD BY THE GOVERNOR.

    7/8/2025Senate

  3. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table PASSED TO BE ENACTED in concurrence.

    6/25/2025Senate

  4. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence.

    6/9/2025Senate

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

    6/9/2025House

  6. Reports ReadOn motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 363 Yeas 19 - Nays 13 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-397) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-397) in concurrence.

    6/5/2025Senate

  7. Reports READ.On motion of Representative MURPHY of Scarborough, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-397) 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-397). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/4/2025House

  8. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  9. Received by the Clerk of the House on March 6, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    3/6/2025House

Bill Text

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