Education (School Safety)

signed · Maine · House Apr 3, 2026

LD 2172: Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review Of Portions Of Chapter 33: Rule Governing Physical Restraint And Seclusion, A Major Substantive Rule Of The Department Of Education, State Board Of Education

This legislative bill authorizes the final adoption of specific rules governing physical restraint and seclusion in Maine schools. The rule was created by the Department of Education's State Board of Education and requires legislative approval before it can take effect. By passing this resolve, the Legislature formally approves the regulations that set standards for how schools may use physical restraint and seclusion with students. The bill includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately upon approval rather than waiting the standard 90-day period.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes safety regulations for physical restraint and seclusion, protecting student welfare and promoting safe educational environments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

failed · Maine · Senate May 14, 2025

LD 1071: Resolve, Directing The Department Of Education To Conduct A Review Of The Implementation Of Public Law 2021, Chapter 295 And Directing The Department Of Health And Human Services To Consult With School Administrators Regarding Developing A Plan For Community-Based Crisis Receiving Centers

This resolve directs Maine's Department of Education to review how Public Law 2021, Chapter 295 is implemented, specifically examining discipline options for students who made threats of bodily harm but don't pose immediate danger. It also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to consult with school administrators about integrating community crisis centers with school mental health services. Both departments must submit reports by December 3, 2025, detailing findings and recommendations to relevant legislative committees. The measure affects schools, students in crisis situations, and mental health service coordination, but does not create new laws.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enhances school safety through mental health integration and reviews discipline policies, aligning with student well-being and educational environment support.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects DHHS to develop community crisis centers integrated with school mental health services, advancing mental health support infrastructure and access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

Track

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

failed · Maine · House Apr 29, 2025

LD 1076: An Act To Hire School Security Officers To Protect Students And Make Schools Safer

This bill creates a new program allowing Maine municipal police departments and county sheriff's offices to hire school security officers on a per diem basis for public schools. These officers must be certified law enforcement personnel who complete specific training through the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, including both general law enforcement and school-specific security protocols. The law requires all school security officers to finish this training within their first year of employment and maintain certification through ongoing recertification. The policy directly affects Maine public schools, local law enforcement agencies, and school security personnel by establishing standardized hiring and training requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates certified school security program to enhance student safety, directly aligning with 'protect' in education policies as part of school environment safeguarding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

Track

signed · Maine · Senate May 16, 2025

LD 386: An Act Regarding Information That May Be Shared By Law Enforcement Entities With A School Superintendent Or A Principal

LD 386 allows Maine law enforcement officers and criminal justice agencies to share credible information with school superintendents or principals about juveniles posing substantial danger involving firearms (as defined in Maine law) or dangerous weapons. This sharing is permitted only when the information indicates an imminent threat to student or staff safety on school grounds or at school events. Schools may only use this shared information to protect students and staff, as limited by the law. The bill specifically clarifies that existing privacy protections do not prevent this targeted sharing in emergency safety situations. It directly affects Maine schools, law enforcement, and juveniles involved in potential safety threats.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables law enforcement to share threat info with schools to protect students/staff, directly enhancing school safety within education policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

failed · Maine · House Jun 13, 2025

LD 165: An Act To Allow School Boards To Expel Or Suspend Students Regardless Of Grade Level

This bill removes the previous restriction that prevented school boards from expelling or suspending students in grade 5 or below. It allows school boards to expel or suspend students of any grade level for specific serious infractions, including violence, possession of firearms or dangerous weapons, or drug trafficking. For students in grade 5 and below, out-of-school suspensions are limited to a maximum of 3 days unless there is imminent danger of serious injury. The bill also repeals prior provisions related to student conduct policies for younger grades.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill removes grade-based restrictions on suspensions/expulsions for K-12 students, weakening student protections in school discipline policies. This restricts educational environment safeguards rather than advancing education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

Track

failed · Maine · House May 13, 2025

LD 170: Resolve, Establishing A Pilot Program To Reduce Personal Electronic Device Distractions During The School Day

This bill establishes a $250,000 pilot program for Maine schools to reduce student device distractions during the school day. It requires the Department of Education to fund one or more school districts to implement a policy requiring all student devices to be turned off and securely stored (e.g., in pouches) for the entire school day during the 2026-2027 school year. Schools must include exemptions for students needing devices for health reasons or individualized education plans (IEPs). The Maine Education Policy Research Institute will develop evaluation metrics tracking school climate, behavior, academics, and stakeholder feedback, with reports due in late 2026 and 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds $250k pilot program to reduce device distractions in K-12 schools, requiring device storage during school day (with exemptions), aiming to improve classroom focus and learning outcomes.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill mandates turning off student devices during school hours, restricting technology use in educational settings per its regulatory requirements.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

Track

signed · Maine · Senate May 29, 2025

LD 21: An Act To Update The Provision Of Law Concerning Student Codes Of Conduct In Order To Reflect Best Practices Regarding Behavioral Threat Assessment And Response

This bill requires Maine school boards to update their student codes of conduct to include specific policies for identifying, assessing, and responding to students who may pose a threat of violence to themselves or others. It mandates procedures covering interventions, student supports, disciplinary actions, and placement decisions - including removal from classrooms or school buses - when appropriate. The changes align school practices with current best practices in behavioral threat assessment and response. School boards are directly affected, as they must adopt these updated policies by law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school codes to include behavioral threat assessment best practices, strengthening student safety protocols and school policy effectiveness.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Testing & Assessment

signed · Maine · House Jan 11, 2026

LD 1097: An Act To Provide De-Escalation And Behavior Intervention Training For School Personnel

This bill requires Maine public schools to provide at least four hours of de-escalation and behavior intervention training to all teachers, administrators, and education technicians starting in the 2026-2027 school year, with training repeated every three years thereafter. New staff must receive this training within 60 days of hiring beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. The training covers specific topics like positive behavior strategies, communication of student behavior, alternatives to restrictive procedures, and safe use of restraint and seclusion. The Maine Department of Education will maintain a list of approved training programs and experts, and must develop and distribute best practices for the training by September 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mandatory de-escalation training for educators to improve behavior management, directly supporting teacher development and school safety within K-12 education policies.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates de-escalation training for school staff to enhance workplace safety, directly supporting labor safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety