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MaineLD 2114132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act Regarding Public Preschool Programs Serving Children Who Are 3 Years of Age

Sponsored By: Kelly Murphy (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

SCHOOL PROGRAMSSCHOOL PROGRAMS - ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Public preschool opens to younger children

Maine public preschool programs can serve children ages 3 and 4, but not every program must serve 3-year-olds. Children without an identified disability must be at least 3 by October 15 of the school year. Their available program must serve 3-year-olds without identified disabilities. Children with an identified disability can enroll once they are 3, at any time before kindergarten, in an available program. Programs can also include instruction from providers licensed by Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services. That instruction must be approved as part of the public preschool program.

Maine education planning now includes preschool

Maine must establish and maintain a 5-year education plan covering public preschool through grade 12. The plan must include goals and policies for public preschool and promote services for preschool children. This planning requirement does not guarantee any child a place or provide new funding.

Start-up funding supports preschool for younger children

Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, Maine can give school units start-up grants for preschool serving 3- or 4-year-olds. School units must submit plans to start or expand programs and coordinate with other early childhood services. Grants favor communities with more economically disadvantaged students, with new programs ranked ahead of expansions. Maine also can fund allowable operating costs through start-up funding for programs serving 3-year-olds with identified disabilities. This authority is in addition to funding allowed for programs serving 4-year-olds. Grants depend on available state, federal, or private funds; the law sets no award amounts. Unspent appropriated start-up funds can carry forward to the next fiscal year.

School subsidy counts exclude some younger children

A special school subsidy rule applies when federal money helps start or expand a public preschool program. Children under 4 without an identified disability do not count toward state school subsidy calculations in those programs. Other enrolled children generally count. This rule does not directly require families to pay.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kelly Murphy

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 168 • No: 149

House vote • 3/24/2026

Enactment

Yes: 75 • No: 68

Senate vote • 3/19/2026

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 18 • No: 14

House vote • 3/18/2026

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 75 • No: 67

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 633

    4/3/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    3/25/2026Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. ROLL CALL NO. 666(Yeas 75 - Nays 68 - Absent 6 - Excused 1 - Vacant 1)Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/24/2026House

  4. Reports READOn motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 779 Yeas 18 - Nays 14 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-863) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-863) in concurrence.

    3/19/2026Senate

  5. Reports READ.On motion of Representative MURPHY of Scarborough, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 661(Yeas 75 - Nays 67 - Absent 7 - Excused 1 - Vacant 1)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-863) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-863). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/18/2026House

  6. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS in concurrence

    1/7/2026Senate

  7. Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    1/7/2026House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-863), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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