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MaineLD 384132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Prevent Student Homelessness

Sponsored By: Joseph Rafferty (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

HOUSINGHOUSING - ASSISTANCE

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Emergency housing money for at-risk students

Beginning July 1, 2025, Maine runs a Student Homelessness Prevention Program. Each school district has a liaison who identifies elementary and secondary students at risk of homelessness. If your child is identified, your family can get up to $750 per student each school year. You can use the money for rent, utilities, critical home repairs, and services allowed under the McKinney‑Vento law. This aid is on top of any federal help.

Program aid not taxed or counted

Money you get from this program is not Maine taxable income. It also is not counted as income or assets for state or local public assistance. This protection begins July 1, 2025.

State funding to run the program

The state creates a nonlapsing Student Homelessness Prevention Fund. It can receive state, federal, or private money. Maine also budgets $125,000 in 2025–26 and $125,000 in 2026–27 to support liaisons and emergency aid up to $750 per student. Funding begins July 1, 2025.

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. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 453

    7/1/2025

  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

  • Amendment C-A (S-155), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Amendment S-A (S-454), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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