Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §2902-A is enacted to read:

§2902-A.__Exemption from certain requirements for certain

accredited schools

Notwithstanding section 2902 or any provision in this Title to the contrary, a school that is accredited by a national or international school accreditation organization that ascribes to an internationally recognized teaching philosophy may apply to the commissioner for an exemption from those requirements of this Title that conflict with the recognized and basic tenets of that teaching philosophy.

The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this section.__ Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §8405 is enacted to read:

§8405.__Exemption from certain requirements for certain accredited

schools

Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or chapter 1673 to the contrary, a nursery school that is accredited by a national or international school accreditation organization that ascribes to an internationally recognized teaching philosophy may apply to the commissioner for an exemption from those requirements of this chapter or chapter 1673 that conflict with the recognized and basic tenets of that teaching philosophy.

The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this section.__ Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

SUMMARY

This bill authorizes the Commissioner of Education and the Commissioner of Health and Human Services to grant exemptions to accredited schools that ascribe to internationally recognized teaching philosophies from requirements that conflict with the basic tenets of those philosophies.