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MaineLD 384132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Prevent Student Homelessness

Sponsored By: Joseph Rafferty (Democratic)

Became Law

HOUSINGHOUSING - ASSISTANCE

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Emergency housing help for K-12 families

Starting July 1, 2025, Maine runs a Student Homelessness Prevention Program in the Department of Education. A local liaison under the federal McKinney-Vento law identifies students who are homeless or at risk. If your K–12 child is identified as at risk (not yet homeless), your family can get up to $750 per student each school year. The liaison can pay for rent, utilities, or critical home repairs, in addition to any federal help. The state creates a nonlapsing fund and provides $125,000 in 2025–26 and $125,000 in 2026–27 to support these payments.

Student housing aid not taxed or counted

Beginning July 1, 2025, money from the student homelessness program is not Maine taxable income. It also is not counted as income or assets when the state or a town checks eligibility or benefit amounts for public assistance programs. This means the aid does not lower your other benefits.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joseph Rafferty

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Chip Curry

    Democratic • Senate

  • Henry L. Ingwersen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Janice Dodge

    Democratic • House

  • Joseph M. Baldacci

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kelly Murphy

    Democratic • House

  • Teresa S. Pierce

    Democratic • Senate

  • Timothy E. Nangle

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 109 • No: 68

House vote • 5/29/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 81 • No: 62

Senate vote • 5/28/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 28 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 453

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/25/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/25/2025House

  4. The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-155) and Senate Amendment "A" (S-454) ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/25/2025House

  5. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table On motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED. On further motion by Same Senator Senate Amendment "A" (S-454) READ and ADOPTED. PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-155) and Senate Amendment "A" (S-454) In NON-CONCURRENCE. Sent down for concurrence

    6/25/2025Senate

  6. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence.

    6/2/2025Senate

  7. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/2/2025House

  8. Reports READ.On motion of Representative MURPHY of Scarborough, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 228(Yeas 81 - Nays 62 - Absent 8 - Excused 0)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-155) 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" (S-155). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/29/2025House

  9. Reports READ On motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 247 Yeas 28 - Nays 6 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (S-155) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-155) Sent down for concurrence.

    5/28/2025Senate

  10. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025Senate

  11. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    2/4/2025House

  12. Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    2/4/2025Senate

Bill Text

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