Maine Introduces Bill to Prevent Public School Teachers from Engaging in What It Describes as "Political, Ideological or Religious Advocacy"

In February 2021, Representative Meldon Carmichael (R-District 18) introduced House Paper 395 in the Maine House of Representatives. The National Center for Science Education reports that, if enacted, the bill would “ban public school teachers from practicing ‘indoctrination’” and would require the state board of education “to adopt rules to prevent public school teachers in the state from engaging in what it describes as ‘political, ideological[,] or religious advocacy.’"

Among other things, the adopted rules would regulate teaching on “controversial issue[s],” defined by the bill as “an issue that is a point made in an electoral party platform at the local, state, or federal level.” The National Center for Science Education notes that evolution and climate change would likely be considered controversial issues.

Update: The Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs recommended 8-5 that the bill not pass. The House of Representatives voted to accept the committee's recommendation on June 8, 2021 and the bill did not pass in either chamber of the legislature.