An Act To Provide For A Later Starting Time For High Schools
LD 396 requires all Maine public high schools to start the school day no earlier than 8:30 a.m. beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. This applies to every school administrative unit in the state, meaning all public high schools must adjust their schedules to meet this standard. The key provision sets a mandatory minimum start time, prohibiting secondary schools from beginning classes before 8:30 a.m. The requirement takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year, giving districts time to implement the change.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jul 2025
Introduced Feb 4, 2025
Signed Jul 1, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
42
Key actions
18
Committee
14
Jul 1, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor
executive
Jun 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
FINALLY PASSED, in concurrence.
upper
Jun 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
FINALLY PASSED.
lower
Jun 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (S-217) as Amended by Senate Amendment "B" (S-484) thereto ADOPTED.
upper
Jun 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
On further motion by Same Senator Senate Amendment "B" (S-484) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-217) READ and ADOPTED.
upper
Jun 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
On further motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby Senate Amendment "A" (S-235) was ADOPTED and INDEFINITELY POSTPONE the same.
upper
Jun 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
On further motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby Committee Amendment "A" (S-217) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-235) thereto was ADOPTED.
upper
Jun 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
FINALLY PASSED.
lower
Jun 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (S-217) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-235) thereto was ADOPTED.
lower
Jun 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate Amendment "A" (S-235) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-217) was READ and ADOPTED.
lower
Jun 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (S-217) was READ.
lower
Jun 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
On motion of Representative MURPHY of Scarborough, REPORT A Ought to Pass as Amended was ACCEPTED.
lower
Jun 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (S-217) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-235) thereto ADOPTED
upper
Jun 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
On motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York Senate Amendment "A" (S-235) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-217) READ and ADOPTED
upper
Jun 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (S-217) READ
upper
Jun 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
On motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York Report A Ought to Pass as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-217) ACCEPTED PREVAILED
upper
Jun 2, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - OTP-AM/ONTP/OTP-AM
legislature
Feb 4, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS.
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence
upper
1 primary · 8 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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