The Maine Green Schools Network is established within the department to support environmental education and initiatives within public schools and school administrative units as described in section 9933.

1. 1. Administration The department shall administer the network. In administering the network, the department may collaborate with the following entities:

   1. A. A nonprofit organization in this State that supports environmental awareness, accountability and action through fostering youth leadership, supporting educators, prioritizing research and evaluation, shifting culture and advancing transformational policy;

      [PL 2025, c. 422, §1 (NEW).]

   2. B. Other state agencies;

      [PL 2025, c. 422, §1 (NEW).]

   3. C. Tribal governments; and

      [PL 2025, c. 422, §1 (NEW).]

   4. D. Nonprofit organizations that support environmental, outdoor and climate learning programs, traditional ecological knowledge, local procurement and other experiential learning initiatives in public schools and school administrative units.

      [PL 2025, c. 422, §1 (NEW).]

   [PL 2025, c. 422, §1 (NEW).]

2. 2. Network composition The department may, subject to availability of funds, invite the following individuals to participate in the network: The department may invite additional individuals or organizations to participate in the network.

   1. A. The director of green schools within the department;

      [PL 2025, c. 422, §1 (NEW).]

   2. B. The climate education specialist within the department;

      [PL 2025, c. 422, §1 (NEW).]

   3. C. The Wabanaki studies specialist within the department;

      [PL 2025, c. 422, §1 (NEW).]

   4. D. One educator with experience teaching in a public elementary or secondary school in the State;

      [PL 2025, c. 422, §1 (NEW).]

   5. E. One school administrator employed at a school administrative unit in the State;

      [PL 2025, c. 422, §1 (NEW).]

   6. F. A member of the public;

      [PL 2025, c. 422, §1 (NEW).]

   7. G. A representative from a climate education nonprofit organization;

      [PL 2025, c. 422, §1 (NEW).]

   8. H. A representative from a career and technical school;

      [PL 2025, c. 422, §1 (NEW).]

   9. I. A representative from the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future with expertise in youth engagement or climate education; and

      [PL 2025, c. 422, §1 (NEW).]

   10. J. A representative from the Department of Environmental Protection.

       [PL 2025, c. 422, §1 (NEW).]

   The department may invite additional individuals or organizations to participate in the network.

   [PL 2025, c. 422, §1 (NEW).]

PL 2025, c. 422, §1 (NEW).