LD 1461 Maine House · 132nd Legislature (2025-2026)

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

6463
Passed · 9 other
Total votes 136
Jun 4, 2025
D Democratic66
62 Yea 4
93% Yea
I Independent3
2 Yea 1
66% Yea
R Republican67
63 Nay 4
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
Photo of John Eder
John Eder
RRepublican
ME
136