Education

signed · Maine · House Jan 11, 2026

LD 324: An Act To Increase Reading Proficiency In Public Schools

This bill (LD 324) is a concept draft proposing strategies to improve reading proficiency in Maine public schools, with a specific focus on ensuring students meet reading milestones by the end of 3rd grade. It does not detail specific policies or mechanisms, as it is in an early drafting stage under Joint Rule 208. The bill is intended to guide future legislative action on reading education but currently outlines no concrete requirements or funding measures. It directly affects public school students and educators in Maine, though the exact scope of implementation remains undefined at this stage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly targets improving K-12 reading proficiency through curriculum-focused strategies, aligning with educational advancement indicators despite being a draft.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maine · House Jan 11, 2026

LD 858: An Act To Ensure Behavioral And Mental Health Services Are Available To Students By Providing Grants To Schools That Contract For Those Services

LD 858 creates a state grant program to help schools access behavioral and mental health services for students. It provides schools with $3,000 to $9,000 annually based on student population (e.g., $9,000 for schools over 500 students) to contract with licensed external providers. The grants cannot cover services already paid for by MaineCare, and funds must supplement - not replace - existing school mental health staff. This program, funded at $1.353 million yearly starting in 2025-26, directly supports school districts in expanding student mental health resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $1.35M in annual grants to schools for mental health services, supplementing existing staff without replacement, directly enhancing student access to behavioral health support in schools.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds mental health services for students via school grants, explicitly supplements existing staff, directly expands access to behavioral health care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maine · House Jul 1, 2025

LD 747: An Act To Provide Funds To Reduce Student Homelessness

LD 747 establishes a Maine State Housing Authority program providing direct rental subsidies to homeless students in public elementary and secondary schools. The bill allocates $2 million annually from the General Fund to fund this program, which will provide housing assistance directly to homeless students or their guardians. It removes a previous requirement to specifically address minors without adult guardians, while directing the Housing Authority to coordinate with the Department of Education and Health and Human Services. The program aims to reduce homelessness among school-aged children by connecting them with stable housing through direct financial support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2M annually from General Fund to fund student housing program, directly increasing public service funding per Budget & Taxes topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $2M annually for housing subsidies to homeless K-12 students, directly addressing educational access barriers through funding and coordination with education authorities.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $2M for direct rental subsidies to homeless students, funding housing assistance program addressing homelessness.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maine · Senate Jun 24, 2025

LD 1543: An Act To Establish The Maine Green Schools Network

LD 1543 establishes the Maine Green Schools Network within the state Department of Education to support public schools in advancing environmental education and sustainability. It directly affects Maine public schools (pre-K to grade 12), educators, students, and community partners by creating a formal network to help schools reduce carbon emissions, integrate environmental literacy into curricula, and develop climate career pathways. Key mechanisms include funding school projects focused on waste reduction, energy conservation, outdoor classrooms, and professional development for teachers, plus a requirement for the network to report to the legislature by November 2026 on school participation and progress. The bill mandates the network to develop shared resources and metrics while collaborating with environmental nonprofits, tribal governments, and state agencies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes formal network to integrate environmental literacy into K-12 curricula, fund sustainability projects, and develop climate career pathways under Maine DOE.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes Maine Green Schools Network to reduce school carbon emissions, integrate environmental literacy, and develop climate career pathways, directly advancing environmental protection through education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Maine · Senate Jun 20, 2025

LD 1956: An Act To Amend The Law Governing The Competitive Skills Scholarship Program And Establish The Community Workforce Connections Program

This bill amends Maine's Competitive Skills Scholarship Program and establishes the Community Workforce Connections Program. It updates eligibility rules to require applicants to have a "marketable postsecondary degree" (defined as industry-recognized credentials or degrees that enable employment in qualifying labor markets) and to meet income thresholds (under 275% of the federal poverty level or receiving specific state assistance programs). The bill also creates new definitions for "cohort" (group training programs) and clarifies that degrees must not be excluded due to health limitations or lack of licensure recognition. These changes directly affect low-income Mainers seeking workforce training and education credentials. The program will operate under new rules for cohort-based training approved by the commissioner.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends scholarship program to expand postsecondary access for low-income students (under 275% poverty) with workforce-aligned credentials, establishing new educational pathway program.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes Community Workforce Connections Program to connect workers with job training and marketable skills, directly supporting employment standards and reducing unemployment through workforce development.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

failed · Maine · Senate Jun 16, 2025

LD 1719: An Act Regarding Superintendent Agreements For Transfer Students

LD 1719 establishes new rules for students transferring between Maine school districts. It requires both the current district superintendent and the receiving district superintendent to jointly approve transfers, with decisions made within 30 days. Parents may request transfers at any time for the current school year (but not before April 15 for the next year), and if denied, they can appeal to the commissioner within 15 days. The law mandates written documentation of decisions and creates a two-tier review process (commissioner then state board) to ensure proper procedure was followed, directly affecting parents seeking transfers and school superintendents managing enrollment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes structured transfer process for students between districts, enabling educational access under school choice framework without restrictions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

failed · Maine · House Jun 16, 2025

LD 1853: An Act To Establish An Educational Tax Credit Program To Help Parents Pay For Nonpublic School Tuition And Fees

This bill establishes a refundable tax credit program to help Maine parents pay for nonpublic school tuition and fees. It directly affects parents of eligible students (children who could attend public school) enrolled in nonpublic schools, which are defined as non-government-operated elementary or secondary schools. To qualify, parents must provide documented proof of tuition payments, enrollment, and personal payment to the school. The credit amount equals 70% of Maine's average annual per-pupil public school cost, calculated annually by the Department of Education and published online.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes refundable tax credit reducing parents' income tax burden for nonpublic school costs, aligning with tax relief for middle-income families.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates tax credits for nonpublic school tuition, expanding educational access options for parents and directly supporting private school enrollment through financial assistance.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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signed · Maine · Senate Jun 12, 2025

LD 1858: An Act To Promote Local Seafood In Schools

LD 1858 creates a Maine Local Seafood Fund to help schools buy seafood from Maine sources. It matches $1 in state funds for every $3 schools spend on seafood purchased directly from Maine fishermen, aquaculture farmers, or local food hubs, up to $5,000 per school annually (or $5,500 if staff attend required training). The bill requires all seafood to be grown or harvested in Maine, with some processed products allowed if they meet state standards. This funding mechanism aims to support Maine seafood businesses while expanding local seafood options in school meals.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds school nutrition programs via Maine seafood purchases, directly supporting school meal initiatives under education funding and program enhancement.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

failed · Maine · House Jun 5, 2025

LD 1439: An Act To Protect The Health And Welfare Of Children In Public Schools By Requiring Parental Consent For Certain Tests, Analyses And Diagnoses

LD 1439 requires Maine public schools to obtain written parental consent before conducting evaluations that test a student's intellectual, emotional, behavioral, psychological, or physical development, or that diagnose conditions related to these areas. The bill applies to all school administrative units in the state and directly affects parents or legal guardians of public school students. Schools must now secure a signed consent form for these specific evaluations, overriding any existing policies that might not require such permission. This policy change ensures parents have a formal role in decisions about these assessments before they occur.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates parental consent for student evaluations to protect health/welfare, aligning with 'protect' in education policy. Directly addresses school policies affecting K-12 student assessments.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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failed · Maine · Senate Jun 3, 2025

LD 1716: An Act To Require Family Life Education To Include A Human Growth And Development Curriculum

This bill requires Maine schools offering comprehensive family life education to include a human growth and development curriculum starting no later than third grade. The curriculum must feature two specific videos: an ultrasound showing early fetal development of the brain, heart, and sex organs, and a video detailing fertilization and fetal development stages from conception to birth. Schools that fail to comply may face civil lawsuits initiated by the Attorney General. The bill applies to all schools providing required family life education, adding these video components without altering existing course standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specific human growth curriculum in family life education, advancing K-12 curriculum standards per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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