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An Act To Reintroduce Civics to High School Graduation Requirements
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §4721, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 313, §13, is amended to read:
 
1. Comprehensive program of instruction.   A secondary school shall provide a comprehensive program of instruction of at least 2 years in length, which must meet the requirements of this chapter and the parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements established under section 6209. The program must include instruction for all students in career and education development, English language arts, health education and physical education, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, visual and performing arts, civics and world languages.
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §6209, first ¶, as amended by PL 2015, c. 489, §3, is further amended to read:
The department in consultation with the state board shall establish and implement a comprehensive, statewide system of learning results, which may include a core of standards in English language arts and mathematics for kindergarten to grade 12 established in common with the other states, as set forth in this section and in department rules implementing this section and other curricular requirements. The department must establish accountability standards at all grade levels in the areas of mathematics; reading; and science and technology. The department shall establish parameters for essential instruction in English language arts; mathematics; science and technology; social studies; career and education development; visual and performing arts; health, physical education and wellness; and world languages; and, for secondary schools subject to the provisions of this section, civics. Only a public school, a public charter school as defined in section 2401, subsection 9 or a private school approved for tuition purposes that enrolls at least 60% publicly funded students, as determined by the previous school year's October and April average enrollment, is required to participate in the system of learning results set forth in this section and in department rules implementing this section and other curricular requirements. The commissioner shall develop accommodation provisions for instances where course content conflicts with sincerely held religious beliefs and practices of a student's parent or guardian. The system must be adapted to accommodate children with disabilities as defined in section 7001, subsection 1-B.
Sec. 3. 20-A MRSA §6209, sub-§2, ¶¶G and H, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 649, §1, are amended to read:
 
G. Social studies; and
 
H. Visual and performing arts.; and
Sec. 4.  20-A MRSA §6209, sub-§2, ¶I  is enacted to read:
 
I.  For secondary schools subject to the provisions of this section, civics.
 
SUMMARY
This bill requires secondary schools to provide instruction in civics as part of the requirements for graduation.