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MaineLD 98132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Include School Counselors in the Educators for Maine Program

Sponsored By: Michael Brennan (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

FINANCE AUTHORITYFINANCE AUTHORITY - PROGRAMS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Loan relief now covers school counselors

School counselors are now eligible for Educators for Maine loans and loan repayment. You can get payments on your student debt for each year you work as a teacher, school counselor, or licensed speech pathologist in a school the state labels as underserved. You must sign a loan repayment agreement, and awards depend on available funds and program rates or fees. Service counts when you work a full school year in a public or approved private school, a publicly supported secondary school, or a special education facility. A 12-month job in a child care facility also counts if you have the required child care qualifications. Officials set underserved areas based on shortages of teachers, counselors, or speech pathologists.

Counselor training counts for state aid

The law defines who counts as a school counselor. You qualify if you work as a school counselor and are certified by the department, or you hold a master's in an approved guidance and counseling program. If you already have a bachelor's degree, training for school counselor certification now counts as postbaccalaureate study. That makes you eligible for state financial help tied to that path.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Michael Brennan

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 18 • No: 13

Senate vote • 4/23/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 18 • No: 13

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 58

    5/2/2025

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    4/30/2025Senate

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

    4/29/2025House

  4. Reports ReadOn motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 122 Yeas 18 - Nays 13 - Excused 4 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-59) READ and ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-59) in concurrence

    4/23/2025Senate

  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-59) 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-59). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/22/2025House

  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. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS in concurrence

    1/8/2025Senate

  8. Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    1/8/2025House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-59), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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