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MAINE


Maine Sexuality Education Law and Policy


Maine's sexuality education law is one of the most comprehensive in the country; it mandates that the state “undertake initiatives to implement effective, comprehensive family life education services.” The state must provide:


  • Training for teachers, parents, and community members;
  • Forums among youth and community members in communities with a high need for sexuality education;
  • Staff to provide trainings, develop curricula, and evaluate the program;
  • Funding for issue management and policy development training for school boards, superintendents, principals, and administrators; and
  • Funding for programs that have shown outstanding work around sexuality education.

“Comprehensive family life education” must be taught in kindergarten through twelfth grade. The information provided must be medically accurate and age-appropriate, and must respect community values and encourage parent-child communication. Programs must teach about abstinence, healthy relationships, contraception, and conflict resolution. No specific curriculum is mandated.


Parents or guardians may remove their children from sexuality education and/or STD/HIV education classes. This is referred to as an “opt-out” policy.


See Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, Chapter 406, Sections 1902, 1910 and 1911.


Parents for Truth Member Organizations in Maine:


Abstinence Coalition for Education (ACE) Northeast
Mary Schiavonni
77 Burnham Road
Saco, ME 04072