Rep. Jan Dodge

Maddy summaryLD 787 clarifies residency rules for Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM) students and provides dedicated funding. It changes eligibility from requiring 6 months of Maine residency before application to requiring residency at the start of the academic year for which funding is requested. The bill allocates $650,000 annually ($400,000 for administrative operations, $250,000 for financial aid) to support in-state students with demonstrated financial need for room and board expenses. This directly affects Maine students applying to MSSM, making residency requirements more flexible while ensuring ongoing funding for the school's operations and student support.

Maddy summaryLD 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.

Maddy summaryLD 1578 amends Maine law to remove a 3-year time limit for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to review disruptions or removals of health services. Specifically, it applies when a significant disruption occurs that isn't covered by existing rules, or after a circumstance described in state law. The DHHS commissioner can then conduct reviews without the 3-year restriction, hold public hearings, and consider new information to ensure health services remain available. This directly affects healthcare providers operating under a certificate of need approval process.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Maddy summaryLD 1946 clarifies that certified recovery residences in Maine - defined as facilities certified under state law (Title 5, section 20005, subsection 22) - are eligible to accept housing vouchers from the Bridging Rental Assistance Program (BRAP) if they meet the program’s standards. It also ensures that individuals residing in these certified recovery residences can apply for BRAP vouchers on the same basis as others, with their residence type not acting as a barrier to eligibility. The Department of Health and Human Services must provide guidance to help these residences and housing programs understand the new rules, and may adopt necessary technical rules to implement the changes. This bill removes a previous barrier, allowing people in recovery housing to access rental assistance through BRAP without discrimination.

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 1332 establishes the Community Schools Success Fund, a permanent fund within Maine's Department of Education. The fund provides grants to community schools, local education providers (like school districts and charter schools), and supporting nonprofit organizations. These grants support specific program needs including community needs assessments, readiness planning, sustainability efforts, professional development, and peer mentoring. The bill requires grant applicants to submit utilization plans detailing how funds will support community school programs.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Maine law enforcement agencies to adopt specific protocols for responding to victims of human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation. The protocols must include information on victim resources like anti-trafficking organizations, housing, mental health services, and crisis support. By January 2026, the Department of Public Safety must create a model protocol for agencies to follow, and all agencies must adopt their own protocols by March 2026. The law directly affects law enforcement officers and ensures victims receive coordinated support during police interactions.

Maddy summaryLD 1979 directs Maine's Department of Corrections to form a working group to study creating a program that would award incarcerated individuals earned time credits for completing educational courses. The working group must analyze similar programs in other states, review data on sentence deductions, recidivism rates, and program impacts, and gather relevant information. The group must submit its findings and recommendations to the Criminal Justice Committee by December 3, 2025, which could lead to future legislation establishing the program. This resolve does not create the program itself but initiates a study to inform potential policy changes.