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MaineLD 46132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Establish a Grant Program to Increase Postsecondary Educational Opportunities for Students with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder

Sponsored By: Kelly Murphy (Democratic)

Became Law

SPECIAL EDUCATIONSPECIAL EDUCATION - PLANNING

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Inclusive college access and admissions rules

Program plans must give students with intellectual or developmental disabilities or autism the same rights and campus access as other students. Students can take many academic courses and use campus facilities and technology. Programs provide supports to find and keep competitive jobs and build independent‑living and self‑determination skills. Peer mentors are included. Admissions do not require a high school diploma or a curriculum‑based entrance exam. Students earn meaningful credentials when they complete the program.

Scholarships for students in inclusive programs

Colleges that get these grants must use at least 25% of the money for scholarships. Scholarships go to students in the inclusive program with intellectual or developmental disabilities or autism. Students do not need a high school diploma to receive these scholarships. The total dollars available depend on each college’s grant size.

Regular reports on program results

Starting January 1, 2026, colleges that get grants send a report every six months. Reports include enrollment plans, training and support needs, and an evaluation with best practices. The Department of Education reports to the Legislature by March 1, 2026 and every year after.

State grants for inclusive college programs

The law creates the Inclusive Higher Education Grant Program in the Maine Department of Education. The department makes and sends application and guidance materials, names a contact person, and can set rules. It awards grants to Maine colleges on a competitive basis starting January 11, 2026. The law provides $50,000 one time in fiscal year 2025–26 for start‑up costs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kelly Murphy

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Amy Kuhn

    Democratic • House

  • Holly Sargent

    Democratic • House

  • Janice Dodge

    Democratic • House

  • Joseph Rafferty

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lori Gramlich

    Democratic • House

  • Teresa S. Pierce

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 519

    5/1/2026

  2. HELD BY THE GOVERNOR.

    7/8/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.

    6/25/2025Senate

  4. This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/25/2025House

  5. The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-430) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-443) thereto.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/25/2025House

  6. 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 by Committee Amendment "A" (H-430) On further motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby Committee Amendment "A" (H-430) was ADOPTED. On further motion by Same Senator Senate Amendment "A" (S-443) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-430) READ and ADOPTED. Committee Amendment "A" (H-430) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-443) thereto ADOPTED. PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-430) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-443) thereto in NON-CONCURRENCE. Sent down for concurrence.

    6/25/2025Senate

  7. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT - Emergency -2/3 Elected Required

    6/5/2025Senate

  8. This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/4/2025House

  9. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-430) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-430), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    6/3/2025Senate

  10. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-430).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/3/2025House

  11. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  12. Received by the Clerk of the House on January 6, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    1/6/2025House

Bill Text

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