LD 2109 Maine House · 132nd Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act To Define "Public Education" And Clarify That A Private School Receiving Approval For Public Tuition Must Be Located In The State

This bill clarifies that private schools located outside Maine which were already approved to receive public tuition funds before the law takes effect can continue to do so for currently enrolled students. The provision allows these out-of-state schools to maintain the state's tuition rate for existing students until they finish secondary education, provided the schools continue to meet all other approval requirements. This change protects the tuition benefits for students already attending these schools while ensuring ongoing compliance with state standards. The legislation does not affect new applications for tuition approval or schools that were not previously approved.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 7, 2026 Signed Apr 3, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
27
Key actions
9
Committee
8
Apr 3, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor
executive
Mar 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED.
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (H-838) READ and ADOPTED.
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
On motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED.
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (H-838) was READ and ADOPTED.
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
On motion of Representative MURPHY of Scarborough, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - OTP-AM/ONTP
legislature
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS in concurrence
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS.
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered printed.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Michael Brennan
Michael Brennan
DDemocratic
ME
115