An Act To Prohibit School Boards From Implementing Or Enforcing Mask Mandates
LD 1461 prohibits Maine school boards from requiring students, staff, or visitors to wear masks in schools or school activities. The bill defines a "mask mandate" as any school board policy imposing mask-wearing and explicitly bans school boards from implementing or enforcing such policies. It directs the Maine Department of Education to oversee compliance and allows penalties, including withholding state funds, for violations. This law directly affects school boards and administrative units across Maine, removing their authority to enforce mask requirements in educational settings.
Bill status
failed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 3, 2025
Last action Jun 5, 2025
Floor votes · House Jun 4, 2025
How they voted
64–63
Passed · 9 other
Total votes 136
Jun 4, 2025
D
Democratic66
93% Yea
I
Independent3
66% Yea
R
Republican67
94% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
20
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Jun 4, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (64-63-9)
house
Jun 2, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - ONTP/OTP-AM/OTP-AM
legislature
Apr 8, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS in concurrence
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS.
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered printed.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
John Eder
RRepublican
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