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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Maine · House Jun 24, 2025

LD 1571: An Act To Modify Certification Standards For Full-Time Teachers In Public Charter Schools And For Educational Technicians

This bill modifies certification requirements for teachers in Maine's public charter schools and for educational technicians. It requires all full-time charter school teachers to hold a valid teaching certificate at hire (removing previous exceptions for advanced degrees, professional certifications, or unique expertise), with a three-year timeline for new hires to become certified. For educational technicians, the bill exempts those whose certificates have expired and who haven't worked in the role for over two years from the standard renewal requirement of completing 3 semester hours of professional development. These changes apply to public charter school teachers and educational technicians across Maine.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires all charter school teachers to hold valid teaching certificate at hire, strengthening certification standards for educators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes 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 Yes ✗ Opposes Education

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failed · Maine · Senate Jun 16, 2025

LD 1719: An Act Regarding Superintendent Agreements For Transfer Students

LD 1719 establishes new rules for students transferring between Maine school districts. It requires both the current district superintendent and the receiving district superintendent to jointly approve transfers, with decisions made within 30 days. Parents may request transfers at any time for the current school year (but not before April 15 for the next year), and if denied, they can appeal to the commissioner within 15 days. The law mandates written documentation of decisions and creates a two-tier review process (commissioner then state board) to ensure proper procedure was followed, directly affecting parents seeking transfers and school superintendents managing enrollment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes structured transfer process for students between districts, enabling educational access under school choice framework without restrictions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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failed · Maine · House Jun 16, 2025

LD 1853: An Act To Establish An Educational Tax Credit Program To Help Parents Pay For Nonpublic School Tuition And Fees

This bill establishes a refundable tax credit program to help Maine parents pay for nonpublic school tuition and fees. It directly affects parents of eligible students (children who could attend public school) enrolled in nonpublic schools, which are defined as non-government-operated elementary or secondary schools. To qualify, parents must provide documented proof of tuition payments, enrollment, and personal payment to the school. The credit amount equals 70% of Maine's average annual per-pupil public school cost, calculated annually by the Department of Education and published online.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes refundable tax credit reducing parents' income tax burden for nonpublic school costs, aligning with tax relief for middle-income families.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates tax credits for nonpublic school tuition, expanding educational access options for parents and directly supporting private school enrollment through financial assistance.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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failed · Maine · House Jun 11, 2025

LD 218: An Act To Make Student Transfer Agreements Renew Automatically Except In Certain Circumstances

LD 218 (Maine House Bill 141) changes how student transfer agreements between school districts operate. It requires automatic annual renewal of transfers to a district other than the student's home district, unless a superintendent determines the student has irregular attendance, is disruptive, isn't making academic efforts, or the transfer no longer serves the student's best interest. If a transfer is discontinued, the superintendent must provide written notice with supporting evidence to the student's parent, and parents may request a commissioner review. This bill directly affects students and families utilizing inter-district transfer programs in Maine.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFacilitates student transfers between districts by requiring automatic renewal, expanding educational access options under school choice policies.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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failed · Maine · House Jun 5, 2025

LD 1439: An Act To Protect The Health And Welfare Of Children In Public Schools By Requiring Parental Consent For Certain Tests, Analyses And Diagnoses

LD 1439 requires Maine public schools to obtain written parental consent before conducting evaluations that test a student's intellectual, emotional, behavioral, psychological, or physical development, or that diagnose conditions related to these areas. The bill applies to all school administrative units in the state and directly affects parents or legal guardians of public school students. Schools must now secure a signed consent form for these specific evaluations, overriding any existing policies that might not require such permission. This policy change ensures parents have a formal role in decisions about these assessments before they occur.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates parental consent for student evaluations to protect health/welfare, aligning with 'protect' in education policy. Directly addresses school policies affecting K-12 student assessments.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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failed · Maine · House Jun 4, 2025

LD 339: Resolve, To Provide Funds To The Maine Indian Education School District To Develop A Wabanaki-Centered Curriculum

LD 339 allocates $100,000 annually from the General Fund to the Maine Indian Education School District to develop and implement a Wabanaki-centered curriculum specifically for Native American high school students. The bill requires the school district to administer a pilot program in partnership with state-approved high schools across Maine, using funds for curriculum development, staff, transportation, and support services. It mandates the Department of Education to coordinate with the school district to share the curriculum with appropriate high schools statewide and requires a report to the Education Committee by December 3, 2025, detailing dissemination and fund usage. This resolution directly affects the Maine Indian Education School District, its partner schools, and Native American students in Maine’s public education system.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100,000 annually from General Fund for curriculum development, directly funding an educational program per budgetary appropriation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $100,000 annually for Wabanaki-centered curriculum development, directly funding a new educational program to enhance curriculum access for Native American students, advancing educational equity.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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