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.
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.
LD 660 requires Maine public school administrative units to post detailed curriculum and student data online for public access. It mandates schools to display 3 years of enrollment, subject offerings, and state assessment proficiency data on their websites, while prohibiting curriculum decisions based on student characteristics like race, gender, or disability. The bill also requires full transparency for state-funded professional development, including public posting of materials, schedules, attendance records, and costs for third-party contractors. This directly affects all Maine public schools, their administrative units, and the state education department, which must maintain centralized online portals for all curriculum materials and related expenses.
LD 1255 ensures that Maine students registered to vote in the state are eligible for in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities, provided they meet standard residency requirements (like living in Maine for a period or graduating from a Maine high school). It also updates the free community college program to require students to either be Maine high school graduates or have lived in Maine for at least two years before enrollment. The bill does not change tuition amounts but clarifies who qualifies for in-state rates and free community college, affecting students seeking higher education in Maine. Family members of qualifying students may also be eligible for in-state tuition.
This bill requires superintendents from both the sending and receiving school districts to approve student transfers between school administrative units. Transfers must be approved if the parent consents and the receiving district has adequate physical space without needing new staff. The bill also prohibits charging tuition for approved transfers, protects special education funding levels, and ensures transferred students are treated as residents of the receiving district for state funding purposes. Parents can appeal denials through the commissioner and state board of education.
LD 1881 ensures parents of minor children in Maine schools have specific rights regarding their child's education and well-being. It requires schools to provide parents access to all school activity information, health records, instructional materials (including virtual learning content), and health screening forms before they are given to students. Parents may also refuse their child’s participation in non-educational activities or request alternatives, while schools cannot adopt policies that block parental notification about a student’s health or discourage parental involvement in critical decisions. The bill includes an exception allowing schools to withhold information if disclosure would risk child abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
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.
LD 482 requires Maine public schools to allow students enrolled in state-recognized "equivalent instruction programs" (like homeschooling alternatives) to participate in regular classes, receive academic credit, access special education services, and join extracurricular activities under clear, non-discriminatory rules. Students must apply in writing for approval, meet academic and behavioral standards like all students, and provide their own transportation for class participation. Schools cannot unreasonably deny these opportunities, and credit must be awarded for meeting standard course requirements. This bill directly affects homeschooling families and public school districts across Maine by standardizing access to school resources.
LD 86 updates Maine's education laws by amending multiple statutes. It updates the definition of "homeless student" to align with federal standards, clarifies procedures for community school districts to reorganize without special legislation, and adjusts private school funding rules to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court's *Carson v. Makin* decision. The bill also clarifies audit requirements for education service centers, allowing them to be included in school administrative unit audits, and repeals outdated Chapter 608 (the School Finance Act of 2003), which has been superseded by newer law. These changes primarily affect school districts, students, and private schools receiving public funding.
This bill establishes Maine's Hope and Inclusion Scholarship Program, providing state-funded scholarships for students attending approved private schools or receiving home instruction under state education law. It creates "hope accounts" managed by a state board to cover qualifying education expenses (like tuition or materials) for eligible students who are Maine residents under 21 and not primarily enrolled in public schools. The program requires parents to apply for accounts, with funds renewed annually if students meet residency, age, and educational enrollment criteria. The Hope and Inclusion Scholarship Board, composed of state officials and community members, administers the program per the bill's provisions.
