Rep. Christina Mitchell

Maddy summaryLD 471 establishes a 2-year pilot program at the University of Maine and University of Southern Maine to expand intensive English language learner programs for individuals aged 16+ whose primary language is not English. The program provides financial help for child care, transportation, and living expenses to students who don't qualify for existing aid programs, funds two staff members to assist students with accessing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits, and requires students to teach English in Maine after completing a master's program. Enrollment is capped at 150 students per semester in year one and 300 in year two, with the University of Maine System required to offer full scholarships for a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages master's program. The program mandates reports on student demographics, employment outcomes, and barriers to success by 2027 and 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine school administrative units to develop cardiac emergency response plans by the 2026-2027 school year. The plans must include AED placement within 3 minutes of emergencies, staff training in CPR and AED use, and annual reviews based on American Heart Association guidelines. School athletic events must also have venue-specific emergency action plans addressing sudden cardiac arrest. These requirements apply to all public schools and school-sponsored athletic events across Maine.

Maddy summaryLD 957 requires Maine's public and private K-12 schools to integrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history into existing history and social studies curriculum. It mandates that AANHPI history be included in curriculum reviews alongside American history, Wabanaki studies, and Maine studies, focusing on regional/US history and contributions to civil rights, government, arts, and economic development. The Maine Department of Education must develop teaching resources, form an advisory group with AANHPI community representatives, and create guidance for equitable curriculum integration. Schools will conduct internal curriculum audits to ensure accurate representation, with a progress report due by April 2030. The law takes effect July 1, 2029.

Maddy summaryLD 1558 establishes a 17-member commission to review and update Maine's higher education policies. The commission, including legislators, faculty representatives, students, and education experts, will examine current laws and gather data to improve access to affordable, quality college education. It must submit recommendations to the Education Committee by December 3, 2025, which could lead to new legislation addressing higher education needs. The bill directly affects Maine's public colleges and universities, as they must provide data to support the commission's work.

Maddy summaryLD 109 directs Maine's Arts Commission to study federal and national efforts protecting artists from copyright infringement by AI companies and monitoring educational use of copyrighted works. The commission must consult with the Attorney General and examine relevant laws, including the proposed No Fakes Act and Tennessee's likeness protection law, as well as past legal cases. It will report findings - including potential legislative recommendations - to the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee by December 3, 2025. This study specifically affects artists whose work may be used without permission by AI developers and educational institutions using copyrighted materials. The resolution does not enact new law but sets a process for future legislative action based on the commission's findings.

Maddy summaryLD 470 requires Maine school districts to implement approved mentoring programs for new teachers. Specifically, school units must have a pre-approved mentoring program before hiring conditionally certified teachers (new teachers without full certification) or teachers with emergency certificates. The law mandates that these programs provide sustained, intensive, classroom-focused support for at least the first year (or two years for certain certifications) to improve teaching skills and classroom management. This directly affects school districts, new teachers, and emergency-certified educators across Maine.

Maddy summaryLD 1566 requires state agencies to compensate individuals with lived experience serving on certain advisory boards and commissions (specifically those defined under Maine law as having minimal authority) if they aren’t already paid by their employer or the entity they represent. It authorizes payment up to the legislative per diem rate ($25/day) for their time, plus reimbursement for expenses like meals, travel, child care, and meeting-related costs, provided the agency has budgeted funds. The bill applies to boards established under section 12004-I of Maine law and ensures compensation decisions are made by the relevant state department or agency. This change aims to support equitable participation by people directly affected by the board’s work, without requiring new state funding beyond existing agency budgets.

Maddy summaryLD 1404 creates a working group to assess the current state of school and public libraries in Maine. The group, led by the State Librarian and including representatives from library associations, school districts, and state agencies, will study library services for diverse communities (including seniors, people with disabilities, and remote areas), the role of libraries in community needs like emergency preparedness, and factors such as facilities, technology, and staffing. The working group must submit a final report to the Legislature by November 1, 2027, detailing findings and recommendations based on public input and research. This resolution does not enact new policy but directs a study to inform future library support.

Maddy summaryLD 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.

Maddy summaryLD 1327 requires Maine postsecondary institutions with educator preparation programs to provide a $500 weekly stipend and travel reimbursement to student teachers during their classroom placements, and a $500 monthly stipend to cooperating teachers who supervise them. The bill also mandates that schools pay student teachers or cooperating teachers the standard substitute teacher rate if they serve as substitutes, in addition to the stipends. If a student teacher graduates and works at a private school or out-of-state school, they must repay the state for the stipend received. Funding for these stipends will come annually from the state General Fund to the University of Maine System, which will distribute the payments directly. This bill directly affects student teachers, cooperating teachers, and Maine public schools participating in educator preparation programs.