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MaineLD 86132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

An Act to Update the Laws Regarding Education

Sponsored By: Holly Sargent (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIONSCHOOL ADMINISTRATION - PLANNING

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Stricter rules for homeless-student status

The law tightens who counts as "sharing housing" for school services. Being abandoned in a hospital no longer counts. Waiting for foster care no longer counts. Some students may lose access to help tied to this status.

New local school district governance options

Towns in a community school district can vote to let the school committee take on trustee duties. Voters can set one start date for all new members, after the last annual town election and no later than July 1. A town’s residents can petition and vote to leave the district using the same process used for regional school unit withdrawals. Setting the common start date requires a yes vote at each member town’s meeting.

Old education statute subsection repealed

The law removes one subsection from the education statutes. Any rules in that subsection no longer apply. The remaining law stays in force.

School audits streamlined and reports expanded

An education service center under a school administrative unit’s fiscal authority is included in that unit’s audit. The center no longer files a separate audit. The initial report to the Commissioner is part of the audit. The school board must state if budget controls are proper, include an auditor-certified data reconciliation, and say if the unit followed the Essential Programs and Services Funding Act.

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. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 112

    5/23/2025

  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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