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

Track

signed · Maine · House May 23, 2025

LD 722: An Act To Fund An Administrative Structure Of An Emergency Medical Services Education Program In The Community College System

This bill allocates $5 million annually from the General Fund to establish and maintain an administrative structure for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) education programs within Maine's community colleges. It directly affects the Maine Community College System by requiring them to create a dedicated administrative framework to meet state EMS rules and external accreditation standards. The funding ensures ongoing operational support for EMS education programs, covering costs related to compliance and program management. The bill provides specific annual appropriations for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5M annual General Fund appropriation for EMS education program, directly funding a state service within budget framework95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $5M annually for EMS education program administration in community colleges, directly funding higher education curriculum and operational support within the Maine Community College System.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $5M annually for EMS education administrative structure, directly funding medical professional training and healthcare workforce development within community colleges.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education

signed · Maine · Senate Jun 4, 2025

LD 375: An Act To Require The University Of Maine School Of Law To Provide An Online Degree Program

This bill requires the University of Maine System to establish an online degree program at the University of Maine School of Law. The University of Maine System must submit a report by November 4, 2026, detailing the program's development to the legislative education committee. It directly affects the University of Maine School of Law by mandating the creation of an online option for its law degree program. The law specifies the requirement and reporting deadline but does not outline the program's structure or content.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates online law degree program, expanding higher education access for students and professionals without geographic constraints.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

signed · Maine · Senate Jun 9, 2025

LD 1483: An Act To Validate Certain Referendum Proceedings Conducted By The City Of South Portland

This bill validates a November 2024 referendum in South Portland where voters approved two bond measures: $1 million for school maintenance and $3 million for school safety improvements. It fixes technical errors in the referendum process - specifically, the treasurer’s unsigned debt statement and incorrect election notice - that could have jeopardized the bonds' marketability. The bill authorizes the city to issue these bonds and enter related contracts as approved by voters. It directly affects South Portland's ability to fund school projects through the bonds, with no new policy changes beyond validating the existing referendum.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationValidates $4M in school bond funding for maintenance and safety improvements, enabling voter-approved infrastructure investments in K-12 schools.75% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

signed · Maine · House Jul 1, 2025

LD 1433: Resolve, To Establish A Working Waterfront Infrastructure Engineer Corps Pilot Program And To Conduct A Feasibility Study Of A Higher Education Service Corps Program

LD 1433 establishes a two-year pilot program where 10 University of Maine engineering students (5 per academic year) will assess risks to Maine's working waterfronts from extreme weather and develop projects with municipalities. The program requires students to conduct vulnerability analyses, learn about permitting processes, and explore municipal careers, overseen by Maine Sea Grant. It also mandates a feasibility study by the Maine Commission for Community Service to explore expanding service programs focusing on coastal issues, housing, energy, transportation, and community resilience. The study must report by December 2025, with legislative committees potentially proposing follow-up bills based on findings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a higher education service corps pilot program for university students, enhancing university-based service opportunities and curriculum integration with municipal projects.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes program to assess waterfront infrastructure vulnerability and develop projects, directly supporting transportation infrastructure maintenance and resilience.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher 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

Sub-Topics Homelessness Renters

failed · Maine · House May 20, 2025

LD 1753: An Act To Establish The Upper St. John Valley Recovery High School Program

LD 1753 establishes the Upper St. John Valley Recovery High School Pilot Program, a 3-year initiative based at the University of Maine at Fort Kent campus. The program targets high school students in recovery from substance use disorders or co-occurring disorders, requiring supervised housing during the school week and mandatory participation in concurrent recovery programs. It mandates specific staffing (including certified teachers, a recovery coach, and education technicians) and includes drug/alcohol testing protocols for enrolled students. The Department of Education must collaborate with the Valley Unified Education Service Center and the Department of Health and Human Services to develop curriculum and enrollment criteria, with the program set to expire September 1, 2029.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes specialized recovery high school program with certified teachers, expanding educational access for students with substance use disorders through structured school-based support.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes school-based recovery program requiring mandatory treatment for substance use disorders, directly advancing mental health services through structured healthcare access for students.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Substance Abuse

Track

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1611: An Act To Decrease The Retirement Contributions Required For Teachers And State Employees

LD 1611 reduces the required retirement contribution rate for Maine teachers and state employees. Starting July 1, 2026, participants in the State Employee and Teacher Retirement Program will contribute 6.2% of their earnable compensation instead of the current 7.65%. The bill amends Maine law to implement this change, which applies to all members of the program without exceptions. The reduction directly lowers the financial obligation for these workers beginning the effective date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces employee retirement contributions (tax-like payroll deduction), providing direct tax relief for state workers and teachers per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationReduces teacher retirement contributions, easing financial burden on educators, aligning with supporting teacher benefits under education topic.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentReduces required retirement contributions for workers, lowering their financial obligation. Direct benefit aligns with expanded worker benefits under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Public Employees

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signed · Maine · House Jan 11, 2026

LD 46: An Act To Establish A Grant Program To Increase Postsecondary Educational Opportunities For Students With Intellectual Or Developmental Disabilities Or Autism Spectrum Disorder

This bill establishes Maine's Inclusive Higher Education Grant Program, which provides funding to colleges and universities to develop programs supporting students with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, or autism spectrum disorder. The program awards competitive grants to institutions to create inclusive higher education opportunities, requiring them to design "program plans" that mirror standard college experiences for students without disabilities. Institutions must meet federal standards for transition programs under the Higher Education Act, and the Department of Health and Human Services will administer the grants, including outreach and application support. The bill directly affects Maine's public and private colleges/universities and students with qualifying disabilities seeking postsecondary education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grant program funding inclusive higher education for students with disabilities, expanding access and supporting special education initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

failed · Maine · Senate Mar 18, 2025

LD 377: An Act To Establish A University Of Maine Medical School And To Dedicate Funds From Raising The Cigarette Tax To The School

LD 377 increases Maine's cigarette tax from 100 to 150 mills per cigarette and dedicates 33% of the resulting revenue to establish a University of Maine medical school in Penobscot County. The medical school must include a rural health care curriculum and provide clinic outreach to seven rural counties: Aroostook, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Washington, Waldo, Hancock, and Somerset. The remaining 67% of the tax revenue will go to the state's General Fund. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases cigarette tax to fund medical school (33% revenue) and General Fund (67%), directly allocating tax revenue to public service program per bill's funding mechanism.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDedicates 33% of cigarette tax revenue to establish University of Maine medical school, advancing higher education infrastructure and rural health curriculum within the University of Maine System.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDedicates 33% of cigarette tax revenue to establish a medical school with rural health curriculum and clinic outreach to seven rural counties, directly funding healthcare education and improving rural access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Curriculum Primary Care

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