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MaineLD 86132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Update the Laws Regarding Education

Sponsored By: Holly Sargent (Democratic)

Became Law

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIONSCHOOL ADMINISTRATION - PLANNING

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Two education laws are repealed

The law repeals Title 20‑A, chapter 608 from state education law. It also repeals section 2951, subsection 2. Agencies and districts that used those rules now follow the remaining education statutes.

More students count as homeless

The law expands who counts as a homeless student. It now includes students sharing housing because of lost housing or money trouble. It includes students living in a motel, hotel, trailer park, or campground because they lack another adequate place. It includes students in emergency or transitional shelters, abandoned in a hospital, or awaiting foster care. Students who meet this definition can get school services tied to it.

Stronger audits of school finances

Education service centers must follow standard accounting rules and get an outside audit every year. The audit must go to the center’s members and to the state education department. If a center is under a school administrative unit’s fiscal authority, it can be included in that unit’s audit. By November 1, school boards must send an initial audit-based report to the commissioner. The report must state whether budget controls are proper, the annual financial data is accurate with an audited reconciliation, and the unit followed the funding law.

Voters get new school district options

Town voters get clearer ways to shape their community school district. If member towns vote yes, the district school committee takes over the board of trustees’ duties. Voters can also set one common start date for new committee members, after the last annual election and no later than July 1. Each town in the district must approve that change; it does not apply to filling vacancies. Residents may petition and vote to leave a community school district using the same process used to leave a regional school unit.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Holly Sargent

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 91 • No: 81

Senate vote • 5/20/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS REPORT

Yes: 19 • No: 13

House vote • 5/6/2025

ACC MAJ OUGHT TO PASS REP

Yes: 72 • No: 68

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 112

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    5/22/2025Senate

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

    5/22/2025House

  4. Taken from the table by the President On motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York ACCEPTANCE of The Majority Ought to Pass Report PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 186 Yeas 19 - Nays 13 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 READ ONCE Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED in concurrence

    5/20/2025Senate

  5. Unfinished Business

    5/14/2025Senate

  6. Unfinished Business

    5/13/2025Senate

  7. On motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending ACCEPTANCE OF EITHER REPORT Unfinished Business

    5/7/2025Senate

  8. Reports READ.On motion of Representative MURPHY of Scarborough, the Majority Ought to Pass Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 109(Yeas 72 - Nays 68 - Absent 10 - Excused 0 - Restricted - 1)The Bill was READ ONCE.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.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/6/2025House

  9. 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

  10. 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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