Bill
LD 957
Maine would add Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander history to its statewide standards, with an advisory group to develop teaching materials (one-time $15,000).
Overview
LD 957 would incorporate Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history into Maine’s statewide learning standards. The bill focuses on establishing processes and materials to support teaching this history within the existing education system. As of mid-2025, the bill is “HELD BY THE GOVERNOR.”
Purpose and Intent
- Formalize the inclusion of AANHPI history in Maine’s Statewide System of Learning Results (curriculum standards).
- Create an advisory mechanism to gather information and develop teaching materials relevant to AANHPI history for use in schools.
Key Provisions
- Adds AANHPI history to the statewide learning results framework.
- Requires the Department of Education to convene an advisory group.
- The advisory group would collect information and prepare teaching materials to support instruction on AANHPI history.
- Likely alignment with existing curriculum processes and standards development, though specific instructional requirements or timelines beyond material development are not detailed in the available documents.
Fiscal Impact
- One-time General Fund appropriation of $15,000 in FY 2025-26 to the Department of Education for costs associated with convening the advisory group and developing materials.
- Ongoing costs are not identified in the fiscal notes; projected net cost beyond FY2025-26 is $0.
- The two fiscal notes (Original and Amended) both reflect the same one-time amount.
Implementation and Timeline
- If enacted, the department would establish an advisory group in 2025-26 to collect information and prepare instructional materials.
- No explicit mandate in the available documents about immediate statewide adoption dates or required implementation in schools; the primary action is the development of materials and guidance for teaching AANHPI history.
Affected Parties
- Maine Department of Education (lead agency for convening the advisory group and developing materials).
- School districts, teachers, and students in Maine (who would ultimately implement or reference the new materials).
- Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities as beneficiaries of expanded historical representation in the curriculum.
Legislative History
- Introduced: March 6, 2025.
- Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs; amended (Committee Amendment “A” H-397) and passed through standard readings.
- Final status: HELD BY THE GOVERNOR as of July 8, 2025.
Notes for Readers
- The primary fiscal ask is a one-time $15,000 to support advisory group activities and material development.
- The available documents do not specify a required timeline for district adoption beyond material preparation, nor additional ongoing funding.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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