PRIA Logo™
MaineLD 628132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act Regarding Eligibility to Apply for a Department of Education Diploma

Sponsored By: Michael Brennan (Democratic)

Became Law

SCHOOL POLICIESSCHOOL POLICIES - GRADUATION

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

COVID-19 diploma option stays

If you are a 4th-year secondary student and the COVID-19 pandemic caused a major break in your schooling so you cannot meet local diploma rules, you can apply for a state Department of Education diploma. This COVID-related pathway remains in law. The Department of Education accepts and decides these applications.

State diploma for disrupted students

If you are at least a 4th-year secondary student and cannot meet your school’s diploma rules because of a disruption, you can apply for a state Department of Education diploma. Disruptions now include homelessness, foster care, or other housing instability. They also include absences over 10% of the school year caused by unforeseen events, like an interim program, unplanned hospitalization, or a serious medical condition. Enrollment in two or more different schools or programs during secondary school counts as a disruption. Immigrant and migrant students are also covered. Planned absences, like family events or scheduled medical care, do not count.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Michael Brennan

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Ambureen Rana

    Democratic • House

  • Deqa Dhalac

    Democratic • House

  • Holly Stover

    Democratic • House

  • Janice Dodge

    Democratic • House

  • Joseph Rafferty

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kelly Murphy

    Democratic • House

  • Kristen Cloutier

    Democratic • House

  • Teresa S. Pierce

    Democratic • Senate

  • William Bridgeo

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 312

    6/15/2025

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/2/2025Senate

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

    6/2/2025House

  4. Reports READOn motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-309) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-309) in concurrence.

    5/29/2025Senate

  5. Reports READ.On motion of Representative MURPHY of Scarborough, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-309) 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-309). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/29/2025House

  6. 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

  7. Received by the Clerk of the House on February 20, 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.

    2/20/2025House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-309), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation