Education

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

Track

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

Track

failed · Maine · House Jun 3, 2025

LD 1255: An Act To Ensure In-State Tuition For Postsecondary Students Who Are Registered To Vote In The State And To Amend Eligibility Requirements For The Free Community College Tuition Program

LD 1255 ensures that Maine students registered to vote in the state are eligible for in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities, provided they meet standard residency requirements (like living in Maine for a period or graduating from a Maine high school). It also updates the free community college program to require students to either be Maine high school graduates or have lived in Maine for at least two years before enrollment. The bill does not change tuition amounts but clarifies who qualifies for in-state rates and free community college, affecting students seeking higher education in Maine. Family members of qualifying students may also be eligible for in-state tuition.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access by ensuring in-state tuition eligibility for Maine-registered voters and updating free community college requirements to include Maine residents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

signed · Maine · House Jun 12, 2025

LD 211: An Act To Make School Safer For Students With Epilepsy And Other Seizure Disorders By Requiring Seizure Action Plans And Training In Schools

This bill requires Maine public and private schools to implement specific safety measures for students with epilepsy or other seizure disorders. Starting July 1, 2026, schools must employ at least one staff member trained to recognize seizures and assist with administering seizure rescue medication, following national guidelines. Schools must also collaborate with parents to create individualized seizure action plans for affected students, keep these plans on file, and provide annual one-hour self-directed staff training on seizure disorders. Additionally, schools must offer age-appropriate seizure education to all students beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, and require parental written authorization with physician documentation for medication administration.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires seizure training and action plans, enhancing student safety and access in schools, directly supporting educational protection for vulnerable students.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires seizure response training and action plans for students with medical conditions, enhancing school-based health safety protocols per healthcare topic indicators.90% confidence

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

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

Track

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1574: An Act To Amend The Credit For Educational Opportunity And Student Loan Repayment Tax Credit

LD 1574 amends Maine's student loan repayment tax credit to clarify eligibility rules and extend the carryover of unused credits. For tax years 2015-2025, the credit applies only to loan payments made while working in Maine during the tax year, with refinanced loans requiring separation from other debt. Starting in 2026, unused credits from prior years can be carried forward annually until fully depleted. This affects Maine residents with qualifying student loans who may have unused credit from previous years, including those with refinanced loans.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAmends tax credit to clarify eligibility and extend carryover, providing tax relief for Maine residents with student loans, aligning with fiscal responsibility and tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends tax credit to support student loan repayment, enhancing higher education access by reducing financial barriers for Maine residents with qualifying loans.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

Track

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

signed · Maine · House Jan 11, 2026

LD 1389: An Act To Create The Building Opportunity Through Out-Of-School Time Program

LD 1389 creates Maine's "Building Opportunity Through Out-of-School Time Program," a competitive grant program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. The program directly supports at-risk school-age youth (ages 5-13 facing educational challenges due to factors like poverty or limited English) by funding structured after-school, before-school, and summer activities provided by eligible community nonprofits, libraries, or statewide youth organizations. Key provisions establish a nonlapsing fund to expand or create out-of-school programming, require the department to set clear grant application rules and publish award details online, and ensure funding complements existing support like section 1053-B. The program aims to improve youth outcomes through evidence-based activities focused on academic success, safety, career exploration, and reducing risky behaviors.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a competitive grant program funding after-school/summer activities for at-risk youth (ages 5-13), directly expanding educational access and supporting school-age children through community programs.95% confidence

signed · Maine · House Jun 10, 2025

LD 1782: An Act Regarding Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Planning And The Juniper Ridge Landfill In The City Of Old Town

LD 1782 requires state-owned landfills, like the Juniper Ridge Landfill in Old Town, to charge a $5.00 per ton base fee on waste disposal. Fifty percent of the fee revenue must go to the host municipality (Old Town) to offset costs, and 50% to the local school district to reduce property tax impacts. The bill also mandates free household waste disposal for residents of host communities and imposes a surcharge on municipalities not meeting state recycling goals. It further requires the state to develop a comprehensive waste management plan for state landfills through consultation with affected municipalities and waste operators. The law directly affects Old Town (as the host community), residents of Old Town, the local school district, and all municipalities sending waste to state landfills.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates $5/ton fee with 50% revenue to school district to reduce property taxes, directly providing tax relief and funding public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates 50% of landfill fee revenue to local school districts to offset property tax impacts, providing direct funding support for school finances.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing