Title 20-A

Beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, a school administrative unit shall develop and implement a policy that provides access to automated external defibrillators at all school-sponsored athletic events in which students are participating on school property, including team pract…

A school administrative unit shall develop and implement an athletic emergency action plan based on recommendations from a nationally recognized heart health organization or nationally recognized athletic training organization that addresses the appropriate, venue-specific use of…

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Collaborative practice agreement" means a written and signed agreement between a physician licensed in this State or a school health advisor under…

A child who holds a written certification for the medical use of cannabis under Title 22, section 2423‑B may not be denied eligibility to attend school solely because the child requires medical cannabis in a nonsmokeable form as a reasonable accommodation necessary for the child …

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Collaborative practice agreement" means a written and signed agreement between a physician licensed in this State or a school health advisor and a…

In accordance with rules adopted by the department, a public school shall offer training to secondary students on how to administer naloxone hydrochloride, as defined in section 6307, subsection 1, paragraph C, in nasal spray form. The rules adopted by the department under this s…

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Diabetes care plan" means an individual health plan document that specifies the diabetes-related services needed by a student at school and at sch…

1. Water bottle filling stations. Beginning in fiscal year 2024-25, a newly constructed public school or existing public school undergoing substantial renovations must be equipped with a water bottle filling station pursuant to this section. For purposes of this section, "water b…

To assure a safe and healthful school environment, the Legislature intends that the provisions of this subchapter on immunization shall apply in the schools of the State.

As used in this subchapter, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1983, c. 661, §8 (NEW).] 1. Certificate of immunization. "Certificate of immunization" means a written statement from a physician, nurse or health official who…

1. Immunization required. Except as otherwise provided under this subchapter, every parent shall cause to be administered to that parent's child an adequate dosage of an immunizing agent against each disease. 2. Immunizing agent to meet standards. Any such immunizing agent shall …

A superintendent may not permit any child to be enrolled in or to attend school without a certificate of immunization for each disease or other acceptable evidence of required immunization or immunity against the disease, except as follows. [PL 2001, c. 326, §2 (AMD).] 1. Written…

1. Public health official action. When a public health official has reason to believe that the continued presence in a school of a child who has not been immunized against one or more diseases presents a clear danger to the health of others, the public health official shall notif…

1. Record keeping. Each superintendent shall keep uniform records of the immunizations and immunization status of each child based on the certificate of immunization, other acceptable evidence and other available documents. The records shall be part of the child's permanent educa…

1. Rules authorized. The commissioner and the Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention within the Department of Health and Human Services shall jointly issue rules necessary for the effective implementation of this subchapter, including, but not limited to,…

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Certificate of immunization" means a written statement from a physician, nurse or public health official who has administered an immunizing agent …

1. Establishment. The position of school nurse consultant is established within the department. 2. Qualifications. The school nurse consultant must be licensed as a registered professional nurse in the State and have a master's degree in nursing or a related field and experience …

The school nurse consultant under section 6401‑A shall provide statewide nursing leadership, consultation and direction for coordinated school health care programs. The school nurse consultant shall: [PL 2011, c. 380, Pt. DD, §3 (NEW).] 1. Liaison. Serve as a liaison and resource…

Each school board shall appoint one or more physicians or family or pediatric nurse practitioners to act as school health advisor. [PL 2013, c. 78, §1 (AMD).] 1. Duties. The school health advisor shall advise the administrative unit on school health issues, policies and practices…

Each school board shall appoint at least one school nurse for the school administrative unit. [PL 1985, c. 258, §4 (NEW).] 1. Duties. The school nurse shall supervise and coordinate the health services and health-related activities required by this Title in accordance with the mo…

1. Student right to screening for sight and hearing defects. Each student must be screened periodically to determine whether the student has sight or hearing defects. 2. Commissioner's duties. The commissioner shall: A. After consultation with the Commissioner of Health and Human…

The school board shall appoint appropriate school staff to inform the parent of a student suffering from a suspected disease or defect based on the screening results.

The commissioner shall cooperate with the Commissioner of Health and Human Services in implementing a grant program developed in accordance with Title 22, section 2128 to increase the provision of oral health assessments for children entering elementary school. A child whose pare…

Sanitary facilities shall be provided as follows. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] 1. Toilets. A school administrative unit shall provide clean toilets in all school buildings, which shall be: A. Of the flush water closet type and connected to a sewer, filter bed or septic tank, …

1. Prohibition. A person may not possess a firearm on public school property or the property of an approved private school or discharge a firearm within 500 feet of public school property or the property of an approved private school. 2. Exceptions. The provisions under subsectio…

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Injurious hazing" means any action or situation, including harassing behavior, that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical h…

1. Findings. All students have the right to attend public schools that are safe, secure and peaceful environments. The Legislature finds that bullying and cyberbullying have a negative effect on the school environment and student learning and well-being. These behaviors must be a…

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Administrator" has the same meaning as in section 13001‑A, subsection 1. [PL 2019, c. 458, §1 (NEW).] B. "Assigned public school employee" means a…

A school resource officer shall complete diversity, equity and inclusion training or implicit bias training at least once during that officer's first year of employment as a school resource officer. For purposes of this section, "school resource officer" means a law enforcement o…

The Maine School Safety Center, referred to in this section as "the center," is established within the department to assist schools in their efforts to provide for the overall safety of their school community. The primary role of the center is to provide training, guidance and te…

The State shall comply with the following laws in consideration of the receipt of benefits under them: [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).] 1. The National School Lunch Program Act. The National School Lunch Program Act, enacted June 4, 1946, and applicable amendments; 2. The Child …

The department may contract for the development and implementation of an Internet-based application for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program under 7 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 210 and the School Breakfast Program under 7 Code of Federal Regul…

Public schools shall provide nonprofit school food service programs as follows. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] 1. Participation. A public school shall participate in food service programs. A. A public school shall participate in the National School Lunch Program in accordance w…

1. Condition of schools receiving state reimbursement for school lunch and school breakfast. A public school or a private school approved for tuition purposes that receives state funding under section 6602, subsection 1, paragraph B, D, H or I shall maximize the amount of federal…

The Treasurer of State shall receive and disburse all federal funds received under this subchapter.

The department shall create and administer, in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services, a grant program to provide grants to school administrative units to enter into agreements with providers of off-site public preschool…

1. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings: A. "Chemical health coordinator" means a person who serves as the coordinator of a local school administrative unit's chemical primary and secondary p…

1. Personnel. The commissioner shall appoint, subject to the Civil Service Law, supervisors and consultants knowledgeable about substance use. 2. Technical assistance. The department, through its supervisors and consultants, shall offer technical assistance to public and approved…

In compliance with written school policy adopted by a school board, the school board may require that a student who has been determined to be in violation of school rules governing substance use or alcohol or drug possession participate in a substance use assessment, education or…

1. List of banned substances. The Commissioner of Health and Human Services shall develop a list of banned performance-enhancing substances. The list must include, but is not limited to, the following: A. Ephedrine; [PL 2005, c. 674, §3 (NEW).] B. Synephrine, also known as bitter…

The department shall request assistance from a statewide organization of principals in distributing information regarding the dangers associated with performance-enhancing substances. Each school administrative unit shall review its drug and alcohol policies and update such polic…

A teacher, athletic director, sports coach or other school official or employee may not sell, distribute or promote a performance-enhancing substance on the list of banned substances developed and maintained under section 6621. A school may not accept a sponsorship from a manufac…

A student participating in interscholastic sports may not use a performance-enhancing substance on the list of banned substances developed and maintained under section 6621. A student who violates this section is subject to sanctions as determined by the governing body with statu…

1. Fund established. The Obesity and Chronic Disease Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established as an interest-bearing account administered by the department and the Department of Health and Human Services. 2. Revenue. Any private or public funds appropriated…

School administrative units may develop school-based child care services. [PL 1987, c. 767, §1 (NEW).] Private secondary schools, approved by the department in section 2951 for tuition, and whose school enrollments include at least 60% publicly funded students as determined by th…

A school administrative unit or private secondary school which provides child care services under section 6651 shall offer a one-semester course in parenting and child development to secondary school students.