LD 1219 requires the University of Maine System (UMS) campuses to receive state funding at 95% of their peer institution's per-student state funding starting July 1, 2026, and 100% starting July 1, 2027. Peer institutions are defined by UMS trustees and determined using the most recent available data. The bill also raises UMS hourly employee wages to 125% of Maine's state minimum wage, effective July 1, 2025. Funding allocations include $14.37 million for fiscal year 2025-26 and $24.53 million for 2026-27 to support these changes.
Maine LD 2226 amends the state's school funding formula to change how financial support is calculated for public schools and charter schools. The bill introduces a new method for predicting student transportation costs, capping them at 105% of recent actual expenditures adjusted for inflation, and updates the regional cost-of-living adjustment to align with teacher salary matrices. It also modifies funding weights for economically disadvantaged students and raises the special education prevalence threshold from 15% to 17%, while altering how high-cost special education placements are reimbursed. Additionally, the legislation caps certain maintenance of effort adjustments and prohibits midyear funding increases for unexpected out-of-district special education tuition costs.
LD 2017 updates Maine's school nutrition laws by allowing applications for free or reduced-price meals to be submitted directly to the agency that determines student eligibility (not just the school). It preserves existing rules about student access to food, handling meal debt, and prohibiting the use of food as discipline in schools. The bill removes a requirement for an online application system, resulting in a $250,000 reduction in state funding for 2026-27. This change affects students and schools participating in the National School Lunch Program by simplifying the eligibility application process.
This legislative bill authorizes the final adoption of specific rules governing physical restraint and seclusion in Maine schools. The rule was created by the Department of Education's State Board of Education and requires legislative approval before it can take effect. By passing this resolve, the Legislature formally approves the regulations that set standards for how schools may use physical restraint and seclusion with students. The bill includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately upon approval rather than waiting the standard 90-day period.
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.
This bill establishes Maine's Student Homelessness Prevention Program within the Department of Education to help elementary and secondary students avoid homelessness. It provides up to $750 per academic year in direct financial assistance to families of students at risk of homelessness for housing needs like rent, utilities, or critical repairs. The program is funded through an annual $1.5 million appropriation from the General Fund, with assistance not counted as income for tax or public assistance eligibility. The program builds on federal McKinney-Vento requirements by proactively identifying at-risk students and offering immediate financial support to maintain stable housing.
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.
This bill prohibits public schools receiving state funding in Maine from allowing students assigned male at birth to participate in athletic programs designated exclusively for females. It directly affects all Maine public schools, including elementary, secondary, and postsecondary institutions, that receive state funds. The key provision requires schools to exclude individuals whose biological sex was assigned male at birth from female-designated sports teams and activities. The law applies regardless of gender identity or current gender expression.
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.
This bill prohibits Maine public school districts from adopting policies that allow students to use restrooms designated for the opposite sex based on their gender identity. It directly affects school administrative units (public schools) and students who identify as transgender or gender-diverse. The law amends state statute to require schools to restrict restroom access to facilities designated by the student's sex assigned at birth, rather than their gender identity. The Department of Education must update its rules to align with this requirement. The bill does not address other school facilities or policies beyond restroom designation.
