Education

signed · Maine · House Apr 3, 2026

LD 2098: An Act To Update Certain Higher Education Statutes

This bill updates Maine's higher education laws to allow the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor to confer a Bachelor of Arts in Human Ecology degree. The key provision adds a new section to the college's existing Private and Special Law, explicitly authorizing it to grant this specific degree. The change directly affects the College of the Atlantic by expanding its degree-granting authority to include this new program. This update aligns the college's legal status with similar institutions that offer comparable degrees.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands degree-granting authority for College of the Atlantic, enhancing higher education options and institutional capacity.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maine · Senate Jan 11, 2026

LD 587: An Act To Require Cardiac Emergency Response Plans And Athletic Emergency Action Plans For Schools And School-Sponsored Athletic Events

This bill requires Maine school administrative units to develop cardiac emergency response plans by the 2026-2027 school year. The plans must include AED placement within 3 minutes of emergencies, staff training in CPR and AED use, and annual reviews based on American Heart Association guidelines. School athletic events must also have venue-specific emergency action plans addressing sudden cardiac arrest. These requirements apply to all public schools and school-sponsored athletic events across Maine.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates school safety protocols (cardiac emergency plans) under school policies, enhancing student/staff protection in educational settings per topic's 'school policies' inclusion.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 1, 2025

LD 396: An Act To Provide For A Later Starting Time For High Schools

LD 396 requires all Maine public high schools to start the school day no earlier than 8:30 a.m. beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. This applies to every school administrative unit in the state, meaning all public high schools must adjust their schedules to meet this standard. The key provision sets a mandatory minimum start time, prohibiting secondary schools from beginning classes before 8:30 a.m. The requirement takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year, giving districts time to implement the change.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates later start times to improve student health and academic performance, aligning with evidence-based educational best practices for adolescent development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 1, 2025

LD 384: An Act To Prevent Student Homelessness

This bill establishes Maine's Student Homelessness Prevention Program within the Department of Education to help elementary and secondary students avoid homelessness. It provides up to $750 per academic year in direct financial assistance to families of students at risk of homelessness for housing needs like rent, utilities, or critical repairs. The program is funded through an annual $1.5 million appropriation from the General Fund, with assistance not counted as income for tax or public assistance eligibility. The program builds on federal McKinney-Vento requirements by proactively identifying at-risk students and offering immediate financial support to maintain stable housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds $1.5M student homelessness program via General Fund appropriation, supporting public service spending and aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides direct financial aid ($750/student) to prevent student homelessness, ensuring educational stability through Department of Education program, directly advancing access and support for K-12 students.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides direct financial assistance for housing needs (rent, utilities) to prevent student homelessness, funding a dedicated housing program within state education department.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maine · Senate Jun 24, 2025

LD 1543: An Act To Establish The Maine Green Schools Network

LD 1543 establishes the Maine Green Schools Network within the state Department of Education to support public schools in advancing environmental education and sustainability. It directly affects Maine public schools (pre-K to grade 12), educators, students, and community partners by creating a formal network to help schools reduce carbon emissions, integrate environmental literacy into curricula, and develop climate career pathways. Key mechanisms include funding school projects focused on waste reduction, energy conservation, outdoor classrooms, and professional development for teachers, plus a requirement for the network to report to the legislature by November 2026 on school participation and progress. The bill mandates the network to develop shared resources and metrics while collaborating with environmental nonprofits, tribal governments, and state agencies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes formal network to integrate environmental literacy into K-12 curricula, fund sustainability projects, and develop climate career pathways under Maine DOE.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes Maine Green Schools Network to reduce school carbon emissions, integrate environmental literacy, and develop climate career pathways, directly advancing environmental protection through education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

failed · Maine · House Jun 17, 2025

LD 233: An Act To Prohibit Biological Males From Participating In School Athletic Programs And Activities Designated For Females When State Funding Is Provided To The School

This bill prohibits public schools receiving state funding in Maine from allowing students assigned male at birth to participate in athletic programs designated exclusively for females. It directly affects all Maine public schools, including elementary, secondary, and postsecondary institutions, that receive state funds. The key provision requires schools to exclude individuals whose biological sex was assigned male at birth from female-designated sports teams and activities. The law applies regardless of gender identity or current gender expression.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts female athletic participation eligibility in state-funded schools, limiting access to a specific educational program per bill's exclusionary provision.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Education

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signed · Maine · House Jun 17, 2025

LD 1979: Resolve, Directing The Department Of Corrections To Convene A Working Group To Examine The Establishment Of A Program To Award Earned Time Credit For Educational Achievement To Persons Who Are Incarcerated

LD 1979 directs Maine's Department of Corrections to form a working group to study creating a program that would award incarcerated individuals earned time credits for completing educational courses. The working group must analyze similar programs in other states, review data on sentence deductions, recidivism rates, and program impacts, and gather relevant information. The group must submit its findings and recommendations to the Criminal Justice Committee by December 3, 2025, which could lead to future legislation establishing the program. This resolve does not create the program itself but initiates a study to inform potential policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes rehabilitation through education-based earned time credits, aiming to reduce recidivism and improve correctional outcomes.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes educational access for incarcerated individuals by directing study of earned time credits for course completion, aligning with expanding educational opportunities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

failed · Maine · House Jun 5, 2025

LD 1461: An Act To Prohibit School Boards From Implementing Or Enforcing Mask Mandates

LD 1461 prohibits Maine school boards from requiring students, staff, or visitors to wear masks in schools or school activities. The bill defines a "mask mandate" as any school board policy imposing mask-wearing and explicitly bans school boards from implementing or enforcing such policies. It directs the Maine Department of Education to oversee compliance and allows penalties, including withholding state funds, for violations. This law directly affects school boards and administrative units across Maine, removing their authority to enforce mask requirements in educational settings.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits mask mandates in schools, restricting school board authority on health policies, opposing regulatory measures in education.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Education

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failed · Maine · House Jun 3, 2025

LD 1759: An Act To Allow Firefighters To Be Eligible For State College Funding

LD 1759 redirects $800,000 in state funding from the community college scholarship program to the Maine Fire Service Institute. It reduces one-time funding for the "MCCS Free Community College" program by $800,000 in fiscal year 2025-26 and allocates that same amount to the Regional Fire Service Training Fund. The bill does not change eligibility for state college funding; it simply shifts existing one-time funding from community colleges to fire service training. This is a procedural budget reallocation, not a new eligibility provision for firefighters.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRedirects $800k from community college scholarship program (MCCS) to fire service training, reducing funding for higher education access program.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Education

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failed · Maine · Senate Jun 3, 2025

LD 1716: An Act To Require Family Life Education To Include A Human Growth And Development Curriculum

This bill requires Maine schools offering comprehensive family life education to include a human growth and development curriculum starting no later than third grade. The curriculum must feature two specific videos: an ultrasound showing early fetal development of the brain, heart, and sex organs, and a video detailing fertilization and fetal development stages from conception to birth. Schools that fail to comply may face civil lawsuits initiated by the Attorney General. The bill applies to all schools providing required family life education, adding these video components without altering existing course standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specific human growth curriculum in family life education, advancing K-12 curriculum standards per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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