AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill to prevent Maine public schools from using mascots and logos depicting Native Americans has passed the Senate.
The Democratic-controlled Senate passed the bill Tuesday. The House passed Democratic Rep. Benjamin Colling's bill last week.
The amended bill would extend the ban to Maine's public universities and community colleges.
Republican opponents Tuesday argued the bill will open Maine up to legal disputes and said local boards should decide such issues.
The last Maine high school to use such a mascot, Skowhegan Area High School, voted to stop using the mascot last month.
Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and tribal leaders say such mascots harm Native Americans.
A handful of Maine schools had continued to use Native American-themed sports mascots in past years.