§3971. Vivisection prohibited in public and private schools

1.  Use of animals in schools.  No live vertebrate, except eggs, may be used in kindergarten and grades one to 12 of any public or private school as part of a scientific experiment or for any other purpose in which the animal is experimentally medicated or drugged in a manner to cause painful reactions or to induce painful or lethal pathological conditions, or in which the animal is injured through any other type of treatment, experiment or procedure, including, but not limited to, anesthetization or electric shock or where the normal health of the animal is interfered with or where pain or distress is caused.

No person may, in the presence of any student in kindergarten and grades one to 12, practice vivisection or exhibit a vivisected animal. Dissection of dead animals or any portions of dead animals in schools shall be confined to the classroom and to the presence of students engaged in the study of dissection and shall not be for the purpose of exhibition.

This subsection shall also apply to any activity associated with or sponsored by the school system.

[PL 1987, c. 383, §3 (NEW).]

2.  Treatment of animals in general.  Live animals used as class pets or for purposes not prohibited in subsection 1 shall be housed and cared for in a safe and humane manner. The animals shall not remain in school over periods when school is not in session, unless adequate care is provided at all times.

[PL 1987, c. 383, §3 (NEW).]

3.  Standards of treatment.  Any animal whose use is permitted under this section shall be treated in accordance with the ethical and humane standards promulgated by the commissioner pursuant to the rule-making provisions of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, Title 5, chapter 375, after consultation with representative groups in the State having an interest or expertise in the field of animal welfare, biology and education.

[PL 1987, c. 383, §3 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 468, §25 (AMD).]

4.  Enforcement.  The commissioner shall enforce this section in consultation with the Commissioner of Education.

[PL 1989, c. 700, Pt. A, §34 (AMD); PL 1993, c. 468, §25 (AMD).]

5.  Penalty for violations.  Any person who violates this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $75.

[PL 1987, c. 383, §3 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1987, c. 383, §3 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 700, §A34 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 468, §25 (AMD).