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

Track

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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died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 577: An Act To Address Student Hunger And Nutrition Through Expanded Access To Free Milk In Schools

This bill establishes Maine's Free Milk Fund within the Department of Education to cover the cost of providing free milk to students who do not receive lunch through the school food service program. It directly affects eligible public school districts participating in the federal National School Lunch Program. The fund reimburses schools for milk costs, with unspent funds carried forward annually. The policy specifically targets students without access to school lunches but needing nutritional support through milk access.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes state fund to provide free milk to hungry students, expanding nutritional access and supporting school meal programs within K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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failed · Maine · Senate Jun 3, 2025

LD 1011: An Act To Change The Residency Requirements For State Funding For Student Tuition At The Maine School Of Science And Mathematics

This bill changes the residency requirement for students to receive state-funded tuition at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics. Currently, students must have lived in Maine with a parent, relative, or guardian for six months before applying. The bill would instead require that the student's parent or guardian be a Maine resident at the start of the school year for which tuition is paid. This change directly affects students seeking state tuition assistance at the school, altering how residency eligibility is determined.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationChanges residency requirement to expand access to state-funded tuition at a specialized school, making it easier for students to qualify for funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

Track

failed · Maine · House May 20, 2025

LD 1703: Resolve, To Establish The Adverse Childhood Experiences Screening And Resiliency Assessment Pilot Project

LD 1703 establishes a pilot program to screen public school students in Cumberland, Androscoggin, and Washington counties for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) - such as abuse or neglect - and conduct resiliency assessments to evaluate their ability to cope with stress. The program, run by Maine's Department of Health and Human Services with the Department of Education, will be offered voluntarily through school-based health centers during the 2026-2027 school year to identify students needing support. Licensed social workers must complete specific training on ACEs and resiliency before administering screenings, which will be confidential. The pilot requires collecting data on participation, scores, referrals, and feedback, with a report to the legislature by October 2027 to inform potential future expansion.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes school-based ACEs screening pilot to support student well-being and identify needs, enhancing student programs within K-12 education90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Testing & Assessment

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