Education

died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 577: An Act To Address Student Hunger And Nutrition Through Expanded Access To Free Milk In Schools

This bill establishes Maine's Free Milk Fund within the Department of Education to cover the cost of providing free milk to students who do not receive lunch through the school food service program. It directly affects eligible public school districts participating in the federal National School Lunch Program. The fund reimburses schools for milk costs, with unspent funds carried forward annually. The policy specifically targets students without access to school lunches but needing nutritional support through milk access.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes state fund to provide free milk to hungry students, expanding nutritional access and supporting school meal programs within K-12 education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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failed · Maine · House Jun 13, 2025

LD 1704: An Act To Prohibit A School Administrative Unit From Adopting A Policy That Allows A Student To Use A Restroom Designated For Use By The Opposite Sex

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.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts transgender students' restroom access based on sex assigned at birth, limiting educational access in school facilities per bill's explicit policy mandate.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Education

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failed · Maine · House Jun 5, 2025

LD 1461: 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.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits mask mandates in schools, restricting school board authority on health policies, opposing regulatory measures in education.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Education

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failed · Maine · House Jun 3, 2025

LD 1759: An Act To Allow Firefighters To Be Eligible For State College Funding

LD 1759 redirects $800,000 in state funding from the community college scholarship program to the Maine Fire Service Institute. It reduces one-time funding for the "MCCS Free Community College" program by $800,000 in fiscal year 2025-26 and allocates that same amount to the Regional Fire Service Training Fund. The bill does not change eligibility for state college funding; it simply shifts existing one-time funding from community colleges to fire service training. This is a procedural budget reallocation, not a new eligibility provision for firefighters.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRedirects $800k from community college scholarship program (MCCS) to fire service training, reducing funding for higher education access program.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Education

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failed · Maine · House May 29, 2025

LD 1395: An Act Regarding Human Trafficking Prevention Instruction And Dissemination Of And Access To Obscene Material In Schools

LD 1395 requires school library databases used by Maine K-12 students to block child pornography, obscene material, and content depicting sexual exploitation of minors. Schools must withhold payment from non-compliant providers and treat repeated failures as a contract breach. The bill also removes an exception allowing schools to share obscene material for "educational purposes," closing a prior loophole. Additionally, it permits schools to integrate human trafficking prevention lessons into curricula, teaching students to recognize signs of sexual abuse and exploitation, and mandates staff training on these topics. These changes directly affect schools, library providers, and students across Maine.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRemoves exception allowing obscene material for 'educational purposes,' restricting curriculum content access in schools per bill's summary.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyMandates blocking of harmful content in school databases, restricting internet access to obscene material and child exploitation content.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Education

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signed · Maine · Senate May 23, 2025

LD 895: An Act To Support Immersive Outdoor Education By Establishing The Outdoor School For All Maine Students Program

LD 895 establishes the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program, providing immersive outdoor education for grades 4-8 in publicly funded schools starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The program, administered by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service, provides grants to outdoor education providers to partner with schools, prioritizing historically underserved communities including rural schools, students of color, English language learners, and those qualifying for free/reduced lunch. It requires curricula focused on Maine's natural resources, science, sustainability, and hands-on learning in outdoor settings, with grants ensuring annual participation for the same grade level. The bill directly affects Maine public school students in grades 4-8 and outdoor education providers partnering with school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grant-funded outdoor education program for grades 4-8, prioritizing underserved schools and students, expanding educational access and resources.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes outdoor education program focused on conservation and natural resources, prioritizing environmental learning in underserved communities per its subjects and summary.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

failed · Maine · Senate May 7, 2025

LD 512: An Act To Provide Educational Opportunities For Students In Secondary Schools With 200 Or Fewer Students

LD 512 allows students in Maine secondary schools with 200 or fewer students to enroll in another school district. Parents must notify their home district by April 1st and provide the receiving school's acceptance letter by May 1st. The receiving district bills the home district for tuition based on the state's per-student funding rate, capped at the maximum allowable tuition. This change enables small-school students to access broader educational options within Maine's public school system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables small-school students to access broader educational options within Maine's public school system, expanding access and choice per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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