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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

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

State diploma option for disrupted students

Students can apply for a Maine Department of Education diploma when disruptions kept them from meeting local graduation rules. You must be at least a 4th‑year secondary student and unable to meet your school administrative unit’s diploma requirements because of an education disruption. A separate COVID‑19 pathway also lets 4th‑year students apply if the pandemic blocked graduation. That COVID rule ends September 1, 2026.

What counts as an education disruption

The law updates what qualifies as an education disruption. It includes homelessness, foster care, or other housing problems. It includes 10+ straight school days absent or over 10% of the school year absent for unforeseen reasons, like an interim program, unplanned hospitalization, or a serious medical condition. It includes enrolling in two or more schools in one school year and being an immigrant or migrant student. It does not include planned absences or absences allowed by a superintendent under section 5205(2).

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

    5/1/2026

  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

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