| Issue |
Status/Date |
Level |
Summary |
 Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Adopted 06/2012 |
P-12 |
This rule contains the requirements for certification, authorization, and approval of educational personnel who serve in the public and in certain approved private schools of the State of Maine. Standards and procedures for certification, authorization, and approval are included and are intended to provide the highest quality of personnel to help students meet the standards of the system of Learning Results. http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/05/chaps05.htm
Title: ME ADC 05-071 Ch. 114, s 1, 2, 3, 4
Source: www.maine.gov |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
This bill provides an update in language for the career and technical education laws
to reflect current terminology, including changing all statutory references to "vocational"
education to "career and technical" education. It requires all career and technical
education programs to be based on national industry standards, or state-level standards if
national industry standards are not available or applicable.
This bill also clarifies references to school units other than those school units composed of single towns in an
effort to reduce confusion resulting from school reorganization. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0616&item=1&snum=125
Title: S.P. 616
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
This bill increases opportunities for students in career and technical education programs by ensuring greater coordination of school calendars, requiring that students have access to career and technical education programming for the entire required instructional time and ensuring that the students get credit in their high school programs for academic competencies gained through separate or integrated courses in the career and technical education programs.
The bill also directs the President of the Maine Community College System to establish a process for determining the nature and amount of college credit that may be awarded to a student upon completion of a career and technical education program that uses national industry or state certification standards. The process will be set forth in a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Education and will not supersede any existing agreements between secondary career and technical education programs and individual colleges within the system. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0650&item=1&snum=125
Title: S.P. 650
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Part A amends and clarifies audit requirements in order for the State and school administrative units to be in compliance with federal regulations and also enacts statutory language requiring the audit of state-funded school construction projects
Part B requires that the regional school unit budget meeting occur within 30 days after the failure of the budget validation referendum.
Part C repeals the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, chapter 109, which establishes the union school governance structure, and fixes cross-references to that chapter. There are no longer any school administrative units using this governance structure. It also repeals statutory language that applies to school construction projects approved prior to July 1, 1985 and clarifies statutory language that applies to current school construction projects. Part D revises school construction language to be in compliance with the current funding requirements.
Part F repeals the addition of targeted funds to the elementary tuition rate for students who are residents of the unorganized territory to be consistent with the repeal of the addition of targeted funds to the secondary tuition rate by Public Law 2009, chapter 213.
Part G refines state requirements for summer school tuition rates for the first year of operation. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1284&item=1&snum=125
Title: H.P. 1284-Finance
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
The bill directs the Commissioner of Education to propose a model policy for public schools and private schools enrolling more than 60% of their students at public expense in this State on the management of concussive and other head injuries in school activities and athletics. The bill also accomplishes the following.1. It directs the commissioner to invite representatives of educational stakeholders and interested parties to participate in a working group that will meet during the spring and summer of 2012 to develop a model policy that addresses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of concussive and other head injuries in students and student athletes.2. It provides that the model policy must include the following requirements: A. That athletic directors, coaches and other school personnel involved with school activities and athletics must be provided with training in the identification and management of concussive and other head injuries;B. That a student participating in a school athletic activity and the student's parent or legal guardian must review the school's policy on the management of concussive and other head injuries;C. That schools must use protocols and forms in the implementation of the policy on the management of concussive and other head injuries;D. That a student suspected of having sustained a concussive or other head injury in any activity or athletic practice or game must be removed from participation immediately and evaluated for brain injury prior to returning to the activity or practices and games; andE. That a student suspected of having sustained a concussion after an evaluation must be banned from further participation until the student has received written medical clearance from a licensed health care provider trained in concussion management for the student to begin the gradual resumption of participation in the activity or practices and games.3. It establishes that schools are required to adopt a policy on management of head injuries and begin implementation of the policy by January 1, 2013 and further provides that schools must gradually implement the policy during the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school years.4. It provides that the Commissioner of Education and school officials may share the model policy on the management of concussive and other head injuries, including the information, training, protocols and forms included in the policy, with statewide and local organizations that sponsor sports and athletics. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0654&item=1&snum=125
Title: S.P. 654
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Requires school boards, when amending its policies and procedures that address bullying, to include the following
-procedures for students, school staff, parents, guardians and others to report
incidents of bullying including anonymous reporting of bullying;
-procedures for prompt investigating and responding to incidents of bullying including written documentation of reported incidents and the outcome of the
investigation;
-procedure for appealing a decision to take or not take disciplinary action;
-procedure to remediate any substantiated incident of bullying;
-process to communicate measures being taken to ensure the safety of the targeted
student and to prevent further acts of bullying.
Requires the annual dissemination of the written policy to students, parents, guardians, volunteers, administrators, teachers and school staff; posting of policy on the school administrative unit's publicly accessible website; and inclusion of the policy, in detail, to the student handbook.
Requires superintendent to address every substantiated incident of bullying.
Requires local school administrative units to provide professional development and staff training in the best approaches to implementing the anti-bullying policy. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0928&item=10&snum=125
Title: H.P. 928
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
SIGNED 05/2012 |
P-12 |
This bill clarifies that the school administrative unit is responsible for the costs of transporting students who are placed in an educational program at the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf..
Title: S.P. 637
Source: Westlaw/StateNet |
Special Populations--Gifted and Talented |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Part H reinstates the statutory requirement for school administrative units to operate education programs for gifted and talented students. It repeals outdated language related to funding and clarifies that approved gifted and talented education program costs are subsidizable costs under the Essential Programs and Services Funding Act.Part I corrects a reference in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 7001, subsection 2-C from Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 United States Code, Section 1414(d)(1)(B) to Part B. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1284&item=1&snum=125
Title: H.P. 1284- Gifted and Talented
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Students--K-12 Exchange Students |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Part E clarifies the treatment of foreign exchange students and students who do not reside in the State for the purposes of counting students for state subsidy.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1284&item=1&snum=125
Title: H.P. 1284- exchange students
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Veto overridden: legislature has overridden governor's veto 05/2012 |
P-12 |
This bill restructures the incentive established for teachers who attain certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The bill provides that, beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, the payment of the $3,000 annual salary supplement awarded to national board-certified teachers must be provided with funds from the Department of Education and the state subsidy allocated to the school administrative unit that employs the teacher. The bill also establishes an incentive to encourage teachers to apply for national board certification. The bill provides that, beginning with school year 2012-2013, up to 10% of the per-pupil amount for professional development allocated to a school administrative unit must be awarded to provide payment of the application fees for teachers employed by the school administrative unit who apply for national board certification during the year of allocation. If a school administrative unit fails to use the full 10% of the per-pupil amount to pay for application fees, the Commissioner of Education may withhold from the next year's allocation the unused amount. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0618&item=1&snum=125
Title: S.P. 618
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment |
Became law without governor's signature 04/2012 |
P-12 |
This bill creates a school open enrollment program under which a student may attend a school other than the school to which that student is assigned based on the street address of the student's family. The bill provides that the governing bodies of public schools and private schools approved for the receipt of public funds may elect to open their schools to enrollment by students who are not otherwise entitled to attend those schools. Opening the school to enrollment is voluntary, but the school may not select which students to enroll under the program. The student is not required to obtain permission from the superintendent of the school administrative unit of which the student is a resident in order to enroll in the open enrollment school. The governing bodies of open enrollment schools are required to set forth a process to determine how many openings will be made available to students and in which grades or programs the openings will be offered. Contracts for school privileges may not prevent students from participating in the open enrollment program.
A student who transfers from a public school in one school administrative unit to a public school in another unit under the program is considered to be a resident of the unit to which the student transfers. The student is counted as a student in the new unit, as a student is under an agreement between superintendents to transfer a student, but the change in residence is included in the funding formula earlier than it would be under an agreement between superintendents. The school administrative unit in which a student actually resides is required to pay tuition if that student enrolls under the program in a private school approved for the receipt of public funds
The bill also amends current law under which superintendents of 2 school administrative units may grant a parent's request to have a student's residency transferred from one school unit to another. If one or both superintendents deny the transfer request, the parent may appeal to the Commissioner of Education. The bill requires that superintendents provide written reasons for any denial, and specifies the grounds on which the commissioner may overturn a denial. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1372&item=1&snum=125
Title: H.P. 1372
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
High School--College Readiness |
Became law without governor's signature 04/2012 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires the Maine Community College System, the University of Maine System and the Maine Maritime Academy to report annually on the number of traditional students who attended high school in the State and who are enrolled in remedial courses at each campus within their respective systems. Beginning with the 2012-2013 academic year, the President of the Maine Community College System, the Chancellor of the University of Maine System and the President of the Maine Maritime Academy shall also make recommendations for strategies that may result in fewer students enrolling in remedial courses at
postsecondary educational institutions and strategies for improving the retention and graduation rates for students who were enrolled in remedial courses. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chappdfs/PUBLIC615.pdf
Title: S.P. 544
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Evaluation and Effectiveness |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
P-12 |
Requires school administrative units to develop and implement comprehensive performance evaluation and professional growth systems for teachers and principals. Sets forth standards that must be met by the systems, including a requirement that multiple measures of effectiveness must be used in evaluations, that evaluators must be properly trained and that a system must include a process for using information from the evaluation process to inform professional development. The Department of Education is required to adopt rules regarding the requirements of the system. The requirement for development and implementation of the system is phased in with full implementation required in school year 2015-2016.
Effectiveness ratings must be treated as a significant factor in determining the order of layoff and recall when reductions in force occur. The bill provides that receipt of a rating of ineffective for 2 consecutive years constitutes just cause for nonrenewal of a teacher's contract. Any appeal or grievance of a rating or evaluation under the system is limited to matters of implementation, not professional judgment.
Establishes a new targeted funding component under the Essential Programs and Services formula, to be used for development and implementation of the required performance evaluation and professional growth system.
Requires the department to collect data on the success and retention of teachers who complete approved teacher preparation programs in the State. It also requires the State Board of Education to include in its certification rules a requirement that an applicant for a provisional teacher certificate must complete a 10-week student teaching experience before attaining certification and a requirement that a person seeking
an endorsement to teach either elementary or middle school must pass a rigorous test of mathematics and evidence-based reading instruction. Finally, the bill requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules setting forth a path to provisional certification for a person who has not completed a traditional teacher preparation program but who has a baccalaureate degree and demonstrates subject matter competency.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chappdfs/PUBLIC635.pdf
Title: H.P. 1376
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
School Safety |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
P-12 |
Provides for legislative review of Chapter 33: Regulations Governing Timeout Rooms, Therapeutic Restraints and Aversives in Public Schools and Approved Private Schools, a major substantive rule of the Department of Education. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/billtexts/HP136001.asp
Title: H.R. 1360
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Adult Basic Education |
Signed into law 03/2012 |
Postsec. |
Revises the definition of "adult education" by describing what services must be offered in order to receive state subsidy. Establishes career pathways services as part of adult education, removes provisions concerning adult career and technical education classes that are outside the scope of adult education funding and removes obsolete provisions regarding adult education subsidy reimbursement. Confirms the State's commitment to serving adult learners with disabilities under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0617&item=1&snum=125
Title: S.P. 617
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 03/2012 |
P-12 |
Amends the law authorizing creation of public charter schools. Makes the following changes with regard to authorizers of public charter schools. Allows the Commissioner of Education to suspend an authorizer's authority to enter into new charter contracts if the commissioner finds that the authorizer is deficient in performing its functions. Clarifies the functioning of local school boards that join together to form a regional charter school. Clarifies membership and operations of the State Charter School Commission, including specifying that members who are appointed because of their membership on the State Board of Education continue to serve on the commission only as long as they are members of the State Board of Education. Provides that the transitional 10-school limit on public charter schools in current law applies only to schools approved by the commission. Requires a public charter school authorizer to give a public charter school written notice of deficiencies in the school and to provide written notice of the authorizer's charter revocation procedures and criteria
Makes the following changes with regard to public charter schools. Provides that governing boards of public charter schools are subject to the same conflict of interest provisions as noncharter public school boards. Clarifies when public charter schools take over responsibility for special education services for a student transferring from a noncharter public school and clarifies special education funding. Changes the law regarding payment of special education funds to a public charter school authorized by a local school board by requiring that the payments be made to the local school board, not to the public charter school. Ensures that a public charter school student has the same access to career and technical education programs as students in the noncharter public school in the student's resident school administrative unit
Under current laws, if a school administrative unit fails to make payment to a public charter school, the Treasurer of State is directed to withhold payments to that school administrative unit. This bill provides that the Treasurer of State may withhold those funds from the municipalities that are members of the school administrative unit. Finally, the bill provides that public charter schools have access to high-risk pools and emergency funds operated by the State or by the school's authorizer, but do not have access to local high-risk or emergency funds. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0607&item=1&snum=125
Title: S.P. 607
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 03/2012 |
P-12 |
Requires school administrative units and public charter schools, in consultation with parents, teachers and administrators, to develop a parental involvement plan that promotes student achievement. Each school board and governing board is required to annually approve a parental involvement plan for the school administrative unit and the public charter school and to submit the plan to the Commissioner of Education. Also requires the Commissioner of Education to post on the Department of Education's publicly accessible website the names of all schools and public charter schools that do not develop a parental involvement plan. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0609&item=1&snum=125
Title: S.P. 609
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Issued 02/2012 |
P-12 |
As part of the Maine Department of Education's plan to implement a student centered, proficiency based model for education, the governor has instructed the DOE to develop a strategic plan to adopt and implement the policies defined by the 10 Elements of High Quality Digital Learning. http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Gov_Executive_Orders&id=348673&v=article2011
Title: 2012 ME EO 1
Source: http://www.maine.gov |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Issued 09/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs the department of education and the Maine Military Authority to establish a pilot program to refurbish school administrative unit school buses that meet eligibility criteria to be determined jointly by the department and the authority. Provides the governor's office will use best efforts to seek statutory changes authorizing the reimbursement of funds to school administrative units in Fiscal Year 2013 for amounts expended in Fiscal Year 2012. Provides this executive order will expire on June 30, 2012. http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Gov_Executive_Orders&id=307850&v=article2011
Title: E.O. 24 FY 11/12
Source: www.maine.gov |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the approval of additional school construction projects by school districts seeking to use an alternative delivery method for a school construction project. Requires such a project to be locally funded, have a minimum total project cost of $2,500,000 and have an executed contract between the school administrative unit and the project designer dated prior to October 1, 2016.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PS17.asp
Title: H.P. 413
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Amends several provisions of the Essential Programs and Services Funding Act to more equitably allocate state funds that are appropriated for essential programs and services. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC419.asp
Title: S.P. 395
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Issued 07/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Establishes the Governor's Task Force on Expanding Early Post-Secondary Access for High School Students. Provides that the purpose of the task force is to develop recommendations for short-term and long-term solutions to expand access to early post-secondary opportunities for Maine's high school students. Requires the task force to identify existing barriers to access and provide recommendations for removing those barriers and for expanding access to early post-secondary opportunities, including necessary implementing legislation.
http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/attach.php?id=277671&an=1
Title: Executive Order 19 FY 11/12
Source: http://www.maine.gov |
Private Schools |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Provides that a student enrolled in an equivalent instruction program in a private school that enrolls fewer than 30 students is eligible to participate in public school cocurricular, extracurricular and interscholastic activities. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC456.asp
Title: H.P. 662
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Provides for the creation, submission, review and approval of innovation plans to establish innovative public school zones and innovative public school districts. Requires an innovative public school zone and an innovative public school district to demonstrate a system for accountability for student achievement that exceeds, but is not in conflict with, the state's accountability standards and assessment system. Allows one or more public schools within a school district to initiate the creation of an innovation plan for submission to its school board. Permits a school board to initiate and collaborate with one or more of the public schools it operates to create an innovation plan. Provides that a school board may obtain waivers of laws, rules and local policy requirements from the Commissioner of Education that are considered necessary for an innovative public school zone or district to implement an innovation plan. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC446.asp
Title: S.P. 466
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Provides that employees of school administrative units and educational advisory organizations are eligible to participate in the group health plan that is available to state employees and other eligible persons. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC438.asp
Title: S.P. 200
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Assessment |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Proposes to amend the current education laws to update high school graduation requirements. Requires the Department of Education (DOE) to submit a report to the Legislature by December 1, 2011 consisting of:
1. Draft legislation to require that, in order to graduate from high school after January 1, 2016, a student must (a) demonstrate proficiency in meeting state standards in all 8 content areas of the required system of learning results; (b) demonstrate proficiency in each of the 5 guiding principles outlined in regulation regarding parameters for essential instruction; and (c) meet other locally developed requirements to graduate from high school not inconsistent with state requirements. Provides that the legislation must also include any changes necessary to conform current state law to the needs of schools engaged in standards-based education, including allowing students to graduate from high school in more or fewer than 4 years.
2. An outline of rules or additional guidance necessary to more fully develop the requirements for awarding a high school diploma, including guidance regarding how schools are to track and report student mastery of standards and how schools are to ensure the validity of student assessments; and
3. A proposed system of technical assistance for schools in implementing standards-based education including proposed timelines for implementation.
Directs the DOE, in drafting the required report, to consult with teachers and administrators with experience in standards-based education, as well as the education associations in the state, for advice on determining the needs of educators. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/RESOLVE83.asp
Title: S.P. 295 (L.D. 949)
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Extends employment reference immunity to employees of local school districts. Provides that an employee of a school district t who discloses information about a former employee's job performance or work record to a prospective employer of the former employee is presumed to be acting in good faith and, unless lack of good faith is shown by clear and convincing evidence, is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC397.asp
Title: H.P. 1030
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Establishes the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Council to develop strategies for enhancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education from prekindergarten through postsecondary education. Specifically, the council must: (1) Review research that has been conducted on STEM education in the state and recommend strategic directions for consideration by policymakers as they identify future investments in STEM; (2) Plan for coordinated state leadership with respect to STEM education and initiatives; (3) Develop initiatives to promote STEM education; (4) Devise strategies for promoting career and technical education alignment and supporting early career planning and transition supports from high school to college and to the workforce; and (5) Propose methods for integrating out-of-school programs focused on STEM with school-based programs, with the goal of inspiring more students to concentrate in the STEM. Provides that by January 15th annually, the council must submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC346.asp
Title: S.P. 490
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Establishes a process which authorizes the establishment of charter schools in the state. Allows for teachers who are members of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System and take a leave of absence to teach in a charter school to continue to participate in the retirement system while on leave. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC414.asp
Title: S.P. 496
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Civic Education--Civic Knowledge and Literacy |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires a secondary student to satisfactorily complete at least one course in civics and government to receive a high school diploma. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC294.asp
Title: H.P. 902 (L.D. 1211)
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Changes the minimum amount of the cost of school construction, major alteration or repair requiring a competitive bid from over $100,000 to over $250,000. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC352.asp
Title: S.P. 110
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Finance--Resource Efficiency |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Removes provisions of law that allow school administrative units to use a process other than a competitive bid process in selecting energy service providers for the design, installation, operation, maintenance and financing of energy conservation or combined energy conservation and air quality improvements. Requires the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services to adopt a model contract for these services. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC279.asp
Title: H.P. 583
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires a school board to adopt a mission statement for every school under its jurisdiction. Provides that in developing and adopting a mission statement, a school board must solicit input from teachers, administrators, parents, students and community members. Provides that the mission statement must be included in the required comprehensive education plan and is subject to review as part of the annual report to the Commissioner of Education on the progress of implementing the plan. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/RESOLVE94.asp
Title: H.P. 321
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Health--Mental Health |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Changes the term "school psychological service provider" to "school psychologist" in state law regarding to school psychological services. Requires the Commissioner of Education to revise the rules to align the code of ethics and practice standards with those set by the National Association of School Psychologists and the American Psychological Association. Provides that upon initial issuance of a certificate and in the first year of employment, a school psychologist is required to participate in at least two hours per week of individual or group supervision with a certified school psychologist or licensed psychologist. Authorizes a school to be reimbursed for services provided by a school psychologist to students who are Medicaid recipients.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC386.asp
Title: S.P. 327
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Health--Nutrition |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Allows the Department of Education to adopt rules that are consistent with federal school nutrition standards for food and beverages sold or distributed on school grounds but outside of school meal programs. Exempts culinary arts programs provided by career and technical schools and programs from the requirements of the rules. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC224.asp
Title: H.P. 398
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Health--Nutrition |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Maine Farm and Fish to School Program to increase the purchasing by schools of food raised, grown or harvested by Maine farmers and fishermen. Directs the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, the Department of Education and the Department of Marine Resources (collectively "the departments") to, within existing resources, support or otherwise assist one or more cooperating nonprofit organizations in the development and implementation of a pilot program to examine the benefits of promoting the purchasing of food grown or raised and fish raised or caught by Maine food producers for use in primary and secondary school meal programs. Requires the departments to submit a report to the Legislature by January 1, 2013 on the pilot program, including information generated by the pilot program regarding economic impacts, benefits to farmers and producers and impacts on student eating habits and participation in school meal programs.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/RESOLVE91.asp
Title: H.P. 1060
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Health--Nutrition |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires a public school in which at least 40% of the students qualify for a free or reduced-price lunch to implement a federally subsidized summer food service program to provide meals to children during the summer months. Requires the Commissioner of Education to adopt rules to implement the program and also requires each public school to develop a written plan to enroll students who are eligible in the summer food service program. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC379.asp
Title: S.P. 265
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Permits Maine public school systems that offer online learning programs to allow nonresident students to participate in those programs on a tuition basis. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC353.asp
Title: H.P. 698
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
P-3 |
Vetoed 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Original bill language proposed to create a unified early childhood education system. An adopted amendment replaced the bill with a resolve requiring the Maine Children's Growth Council to establish and convene a stakeholder group to identify options and alternatives to improve the efficacy and efficiency of Maine's early childhood system. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/billtexts/SP016002.asp
Title: S.P. 160
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Postsecondary Success--Completion--Completion Rates (Statistics) |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Requires all postsecondary institutions, including institutions offering accredited postsecondary educational and degree programs on the Internet, to report annually to the Department of Education the retention rates of the students for each degree program and the graduation rates for students who complete 2 year or associate's degree programs in 2, 3 or 4 years and for students who complete 4 year or bachelor's degree programs in 4, 5 or 6 years. Requires the Department of Education to report this information annually to the Legislature and publish the report on the department's publicly accessible website. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC232.asp
Title: S.P. 156
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Amends the laws governing school administrative unit reorganization to eliminate the penalties set forth for nonconforming school administrative units. Eliminates the authority of the Commissioner of Education to give final approval of a regional school unit, including an alternative organizational structure. Eliminates the requirement that a school, after leaving an alternative organizational structure, must join a conforming school administrative unit within two years. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC251.asp
Title: H.P. 311
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Special Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Provides that the school administrative unit may not have an attorney present at an individualized education program team meeting unless the school administrative unit has provided the parents of a child with a disability at least seven days' written notice prior to the meeting. Provides that if the parent of a child with a disability has an attorney present at the individualized education program team meeting, the school administrative unit may have an attorney present without providing prior written notice. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC363.asp
Title: H.P. 822
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Special Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Repeals provisions providing for planning the transition of students with disabilities to adult services and for transitional services coordination projects for students with disabilities by the Interdepartmental Committee on Transition in order to make state requirements regarding these students not exceed federal requirements. Eliminates the Interdepartmental Committee on Transition and repeals provisions for transitional pilot projects for which funding is no longer provided. Details the duties of school administrative units and the Commissioner of Education with regard to services for students with disabilities who are in transition from school to the community in accordance with the provisions of rules adopted by the Department of Education. Provides for the coordination of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education in the submission of the annual report on efforts to plan for and develop social and habilitative services for persons who have autism and other pervasive developmental disorders and requires the report to be submitted to the Legislature. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC348.asp
Title: H.P. 986
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
State Longitudinal Data Systems |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Repeals the provisions of law that require local school units to request and report student social security numbers to the state Department of Education. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC223.asp
Title: H.P. 399
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Allows school administrative units to offer group self-insurance health and dental programs and to enter into cooperative agreements with other school administrative units or municipalities to provide such programs. Provides that school administrative units may arrange for and offer a choice of optional health or dental insurance plans to employees and their families that may vary in benefits provided and costs. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC395.asp
Title: H.P. 972
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Technology--Funding Issues |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires the Commissioner of Education to develop a program of technical assistance, including professional development and training for instruction in digital literacy and the establishment of a clearinghouse for information on the use of online learning resources that may be made available to all school administrative units. Establishes the Digital Literacy Fund and provides that balances in the fund may be used to pay for the development of a program of technical assistance that designs instructional materials promoting digital literacy, teacher professional development and training on the use of online learning resources; new administrative costs and other expenses; and for the implementation of a new clearinghouse for information on the use of online learning resources, including best practices in the use of open educational resources and open-source textbooks for elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC354.asp
Title: S.P. 161
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Civic Education--Pledge of Allegiance |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires a school administrative unit to allow every student enrolled in the school administrative unit the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at some point during a school day in which students are required to attend. Provides that a school administrative unit may not require a student to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC162.asp
Title: H.P. 842
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed. |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires the Commissioner of Education to develop a program of technical assistance that promotes the importance of financial literacy and encourages school administrative units to implement an integrated model for instruction in personal finance that may be used in secondary schools as part of the instruction in social studies or mathematics Requires the commissioner in consultation with certain organizations to prepare and distribute annually, in January, a report to school boards and superintendents that includes strategies and resources available to implement an integrated model for instruction in personal finance for use in secondary schools. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC154.asp
Title: H.P. 161
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Curriculum--Physical Education |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs the Commissioner of Education, the Commissioner of Health and Human Services and the Maine Governor's Council on Physical Activity to reconvene the planning and oversight team, known as "PE4ME" and reappoint PE4ME members to further implement plans for improving the health and physical fitness of elementary school children in the state, including the implementation of a pilot project to demonstrate the efficacy of progressive practices involving physical education in elementary schools. Directs the PE4ME to invite elementary schools to volunteer to participate in the pilot project and to select up to 4 elementary schools to serve as pilot project sites, during the 2011-2012 school year. Provides that the elementary schools selected for the pilot project ("the pilot schools") must agree to cooperate with PE4ME in fully implementing PE4ME recommendations for students in kindergarten to grade 8, including meeting national guidelines for providing physical education instruction and physical activity each week, as well as reporting information regarding the health, fitness and academic performance of elementary school children. Provides that the pilot school also must participate in follow-up activities required by PE4ME to evaluate the pilot project following the end of the 2011-2012 school year. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC108.asp
Title: H.P. 939
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Finance--Aid to Private Schools |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Exempts certain reformulated school administrative districts that did not operate a K-12 program from the requirement to maintain such a program. Clarifies that the vote regarding the closure of an elementary or secondary school in a regional school unit is required only when the school is closed for lack of need. Repeals the annual audit requirement for the purpose of approving private schools for tuition purposes. Clarifies that elementary school and secondary school closures for regional school units that have more than one secondary school must be in accordance with the procedures in state law (Me. Rev. State. Ann. tit. 20A, § 1512). Amends the language on annual student counts for school administrative units and publicly funded students in private schools or programs for reporting dates to the Department of Education according to time schedules that the Commissioner of Education established. Amends the laws governing student counts to require that student counts are based on the number of students in attendance on October 1st and April 1st. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC171.asp
Title: H.P. 959
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Special Education |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs the state Board of Education and the Department of Education (DOE) to conduct a study to ensure that teachers and paraprofessionals who work with children with autism spectrum disorders are appropriately and adequately prepared. Requires the DOE to convene a work group with broad stakeholder representation. Provides that the purpose of the work group is to analyze the qualifications of teachers and paraprofessionals who work with children with autism spectrum disorders and to make recommendations that will assist the department in ensuring that the teachers and paraprofessionals are appropriately and adequately prepared. Requires the work group to submit its recommendations to the state Board of Education and the DOE by November 1, 2011 and the State Board of Education and the DOE to submit a report, including the findings and recommendations from the work group, to the legislature by December 7, 2011. Authorizes the legislature to introduce legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/RESOLVE47.asp
Title: H.R. 546
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Special Education |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Education to amend state statute Maine Unified Special Education Regulation Birth to Age Twenty to permit a qualified examiner to observe a child at school or at a potential educational placement when the qualified examiner is not employed by the school and is conducting an independent educational evaluation at the request of the parent, at times and durations as the school would permit a qualified examiner that is employed by the school. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/RESOLVE42.asp
Title: H.R. 708
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires three years of experience in a school administrative unit before a teacher may receive a continuing contract offer. Requires the superintendent to evaluate probationary teachers during, but not limited to, their second year of employment. Provides that the method of evaluation must be determined by the school board and implemented by the superintendent. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC172.asp
Title: H.P. 720
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
High School |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Provides that eligible Vietnam veterans may be awarded high school diplomas; Veterans of World War II and the Korean Conflict already included in the statute. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chappdfs/PUBLIC25.pdf
Title: H.P. 96
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Evaluation and Effectiveness |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Expands state law providing that each school district may select and incorporate one or more of the models for evaluation of the professional performance of teachers and principals proposed by the state department of education, by permitting a school district to develop and adopt its own models for teacher and principal evaluation. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC36.asp
Title: H.P. 317
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Governor's Business Advisory Council tasked with advising on ways to improve the state's business climate.
http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/attach.php?id=205612&an=1
Title: 12 FY 11/12
Source: http://www.maine.gov |
Health |
Issued 10/2010 |
P-12 |
Directs the director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency to coordinate with the department of health and human services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the department of education, and the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services in the designation of appropriate health care personnel to distribute and administer H1N1 influenza vaccines in participating school-based vaccination clinics. Expires on February 28, 2011, unless earlier rescinded. http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Gov_Executive_Orders&id=142592&v=Article
Title: E.O. 05 FY 11/12
Source: www.maine.gov |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Directs the Departments of Corrections, Education, Health and Human Services, and Labor to develop a jointly agreed-upon statewide coordinated services district system by June 1, 2010. The system shall coordinate and implement service delivery initiatives to increase high school graduation rates, reduce the number of youth in the juvenile justice system, reduce child abuse and neglect and increase employment opportunities for youth. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/RESOLVE204.asp
Title: H.B. 1204
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Enables school administrative units to establish and operate innovative, autonomous public schools that meet the requirements of the federal Race to the Top Assessment Program application. A school board may request waivers as necessary to implement an instructional model and associated curriculum that meet the standards of this section for innovation and autonomy. Any resident student in a school administrative unit is eligible to request enrollment in an innovative, autonomous public school. Enrollment may not be limited to a target population of students. A school board shall establish a method for selecting students when requests for enrollment exceed capacity.
An innovative, autonomous public school must demonstrate a system for accountability for student achievement that exceeds, but is not in conflict with, the state's accountability standards and the state's assessment system. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/PUBLIC616.asp
Title: S.B. 706
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
High School--Dropout Rates/Graduation Rates |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Establishes the state goal of achieving an average statewide secondary school graduation rate of 90% by the end of the 2015-2016 school year. The State Board of Education is required to provisionally adopt major substantive rules specifying the methodology to be used to calculate secondary school graduation rates through 2016 and to submit those rules for legislative review by January 14, 2011. Requires secondary schools that have not attained an 80% graduation rate by the end of the 2012-2013 school year to provide the Commissioner of Education with a copy of an action plan by December 31, 2013. The action plan may include the steps necessary to achieve a graduation rate of 90% by the end of the 2015-2016 school year. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/PUBLIC626.asp
Title: S.B. 623
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
School Safety |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Aligns the duties of school boards concerning student safety with the requirements of the Federal Gun-free Schools Act; prohibits, with some exceptions the discharge of firearms within 500 feet of public and private school properties. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/PUBLIC614.asp
Title: H.B. 1206
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Amends law governing the mandatory school consolidation process, as originally enacted in 2007 to either achieve or allow the following:
(1) An "Alternative Organizational Structure" (AOS) to meet the requirements of the school consolidation law. An AOS is a modified school union-type system where independent school systems share a superintendent, a consolidated administration of special education, transportation, back-office business functions, a common core curriculum and student assessment systems, common school policies and calendar, and "consistent" collective bargaining agreements.
(2) Allows the number of students attending a school from the unorganized territories to be counted as students "served by the school system" for the purpose of meeting consolidation threshold standards.
(3) Allows a regional school unit (RSU) or AOS to be formed that serves just 1,000 students (as opposed to the original 2,500-student threshold) if the proposed RSU or AOS: (a) comprises three or more school units that were in existence prior to July 1, 2008, or (b) the member municipalities of the proposed RSU/AOS are surrounded by already approved RSU or AOS systems and there are no other school systems available to join the proposed RSU/AOS, or (c) the member municipalities of the proposed RSU/AOS include two or more "isolated small schools" as that term is defined in law.
(4) Establishes the procedures for a municipality to withdraw from a RSU by essentially reinstating the procedures that used to be available for a municipality to withdraw from a School Administrative District (SAD). Under the terms of the withdrawal process, neither the withdrawing municipality nor the remaining RSU would be subject to the financial penalties for being noncompliant with the standards of consolidation for a 2-year period after withdrawal. If either the remaining RSU or withdrawing municipality are noncompliant with the standards of consolidation at the end of the 2-year period, penalties would kick-in.
(5) Provides an authority for the RSU school boards to place an article before the voters that would permit the school board to establish a single common date for the beginning term of office for elected board members, who may be elected at different times at their municipal elections.http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/PUBLIC580.asp
Title: H.B. 408
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Standards |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Allows the Department of Education to include the "Common Core State Standards Initiative" standards for kindergarten to grade 12 in the State's system of learning results and assessment and grants the Commissioner of Education the authority to adopt emergency rules in order to implement the standards. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/PUBLIC647.asp
Title: S.B. 705
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Teaching Quality--Evaluation and Effectiveness |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Eliminates the prohibition on the use of student assessment data in the establishment of models for evaluation of the professional performance of teachers; extends the models for evaluation developed by the Department of Education to principals; requires that the models include multiple measures. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/PUBLIC646.asp
Title: S.B. 704
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
P-3 |
Signed into law 03/2010 |
P-12 |
Requires the Education Research Institute to include in the information that it collects and analyzes, information on early care and public preschool programs (previously the Institute was only required to collect information on K-12). http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/PUBLIC540.asp
Title: H.B. 1261
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 03/2010 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Amends the Job Creation Through Educational Opportunity Program; amends the definition of accredited Maine junior college, college or university to include that the institution must have regional accreditation; relates to financial aid, educational cost of living adjustments, publishing average in-state tuition and mandatory fees and student eligibility for the educational opportunity tax credit; enacts an income modification to taxable income with respect to loan payment amounts paid by employers. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/PUBLIC553.asp
Title: H.B. 899
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 03/2010 |
Postsec. |
Amends the Health Professions Loan Program; provides that loans for medical, veterinary and dental education are to be repaid at varying interest rates depending upon the nature and location of the practice; eliminates loans for optometry students; eliminates new access seats for veterinary education in the Doctors for Maine's Future Scholarship Program; makes changes to the advisory committee on medical education to reflect the changing nature of the programs. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chappdfs/PUBLIC488.pdf
Title: S.B. 116
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Signed into law 03/2010 |
P-12 |
Establishes a working group of K-12 school officials, primarily superintendents and career and technical education directors, to prepare draft model academic year calendars that account for regional differences within the state to be submitted to the joint standing committee of the legislature having jurisdiction over education matters. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/RESOLVE154.asp
Title: H.B. 1100
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Special Education |
Signed into law 03/2010 |
P-12 |
Provides for access to instructional materials and online learning for students with disabilities; requires access to Braille for instruction. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/PUBLIC508.asp
Title: S.B. 588 - Sec. 5
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Special Populations--Foster Care |
Signed into law 03/2010 |
P-12 |
Provides that a student who is placed by the state department of health and human services with an adult who is not the parent or legal guardian is considered a resident of either the school administrative unit where the student resides or the school administrative unit where the student resided prior to the placement. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/PUBLIC508.asp
Title: S.B. 588 - Sec. 1
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
STEM |
Signed into law 02/2010 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Directs the state department of education to conduct a study to provide comprehensive baseline data to support state and local efforts to improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning (STEM). The department must develop a strategic plan by May 15, 2010 that addresses the need to:
1. Offer a rigorous course of study in STEM;
2. Cooperate with industry experts, museums, universities, research centers, and other community partners to prepare and assist teachers in integrating STEM content across grades and disciplines, in promoting effective and relevant instruction, and in offering applied learning opportunities for students; and
3. Prepare more students for advanced study and careers in the STEM field, including by addressing the needs of underrepresented groups and of women and girls in the STEM areas.
Directs the department to consult with the state university and community college systems in the development of the strategic plan to ensure that the state application for the federal Race to the Top competitive grant program includes a high quality plan that addresses all three aspects of the STEM priority established by the federal education department.
Directs the state department to review existing state learning standards for K-12 public education to determine whether students have sufficient opportunity to develop the skills and gain the knowledge that will be incorporated as part of a national assessment of technological literacy beginning in 2012. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/RESOLVE151.asp
Title: S.B. 677
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Center of Excellence for At-risk Students to provide a comprehensive, on-site course of instruction for youth at risk of failing or dropping out of school; includes a high-quality education, training for parents and public school teachers and research involving education for at- risk youth and the center may be administered by a private, nonprofit charitable corporation organized for educational purposes with oversight by the Commissioner of Education.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/SP052801.pdf
Title: S.B. 528
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org/ |
Governance |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
The Department of Education will review the powers and duties of the State Board of Education and prepare legislation to transfer the powers and duties of the board to other agencies in anticipation of the dissolution of the board. The Department of Education must submit its report and recommended legislation required by this Act to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by December 2, 2009.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/HP090001.pdf
Title: H.B. 900
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org/ |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires the Commissioner of Education to conduct an assessment of the physical education capacities of elementary schools and to report to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs; establishes the Obesity and Chronic Disease Fund, transferred to the Department of Education; allows the Obesity and Chronic Disease Fund to receive public or private funds or income from other sources.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/HP098301.pdf
Title: H.B. 983
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Health--Nutrition |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to convene a work group consisting of agencies, groups and organizations involved in supporting Maine agriculture, public health, the environment and the Maine economy to study farm-to- school initiatives and programs in the State and develop recommendations for strengthening farm-to- school efforts in the State.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/HP078401.pdf
Title: H.B. 784
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Leadership |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Education to review models for performance-based pay and bonuses for teachers, principals and superintendents and to adopt rules authorizing school administrative units to use a performance-based pay model for the remuneration of teachers beginning in school year 2010.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/SP045801.pdf
Title: S.B. 458
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org/ |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Directs the Department of Education to establish the Maine Online Learning Program, which will provide high-quality educational options for kindergarten to grade 12 students using online learning programs and courses, beginning in the 2009-2010 school year.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/SP053101.pdf
Title: S.B. 531
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org/ |
P-3 |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Directs the Children's Growth Council to create a working group; requires the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education to participate in the working group as well as public universities, community colleges, child care providers and Head Start; Requires the working group to make recommendations for creating a partnership between child care providers and institutions of higher learning concerning early childhood education and higher education systemsthat would allow child care providers to enroll in classes and degree programs at reduced tuition rates.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/HP073601.pdf
Title: H.B. 736
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires school administrative units, with the help of the Department of Education's model dating violence policy, to implement dating violence policies and provide dating violence training to school personnel and dating violence education to students from the 7th to the 12th grade.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/HP076001.pdf
Title: H.B. 760
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Special Education |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Directs the Department of Education to develop a program model for children with autism spectrum disorder to be used statewide in elementary and secondary schools and submit its report to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by December 2, 2009.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/SP046101.pdf
Title: S.B. 461
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org/ |
State Longitudinal Data Systems |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Provides that if the Commissioner of Education requires a school administrative unit to collect and report individual social security numbers, that the unit must notify parents in the annual notice required under federal law that the data is being collected and used for longitudinal data purposes; provides what must be included in the notification; provides the procedure for release of personally identifiable information; requires parental consent for use of a child's social security number.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/SP049101.pdf
Title: S.B. 491
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
State Policymaking |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Directs the state department of education to develop and maintain the Maine Statewide Longitudinal Data System, a continuing program of information management, the purpose of which is to compile, maintain and disseminate information concerning the educational histories, placement, employment and other measures of success of participants in state educational programs.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/PUBLIC448.asp
Title: S.P. 491
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
STEM |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Directs the Department of Education to collect information on science, technology, engineering and math initiatives in consultation with public and private partnerships, businesses, pilot projects and nonprofit and other organizations that are already working with STEM issues by November 1, 2009. The department shall focus on finding ways to inspire young people in prekindergarten to grade 12 to become interested in the science, technology, engineering and math.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/SP041201.pdf
Title: S.B. 412
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Students |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Enacts the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children; relates to active duty status; relates to veterans, educational records, extracurricular activities and member states.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/HP092801.pdf
Title: H.B. 928
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org/ |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Study Commission Regarding Teachers' Salaries; clarifies that the scope of the study commission review is teacher compensation, salaries and benefits; includes an examination of alternatives to the existing method of recognizing the costs of teachers' salaries based on education and experience, collective bargaining alternatives in determining salaries and benefits at the school administrative unit level and other relevant factors.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/HP036701.pdf
Title: H.B. 367
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org/ |
Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Establishes a pilot program between the University of Maine System and the Maine Community College System to provide a seamless process of going from an associate degree program at the community college onto a baccalaureate degree program at the university.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/SP036701.pdf
Title: S.B. 367
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Directs the Department of Education to provide by rule for a school calendar that is based upon a minimum annual number of hours that is equivalent to the current 180-day school calendar, or for an equivalent amount of hours annually in accordance with rules adopted by the department. At least 175 days or the equivalent must be used for instruction. In meeting the requirement of a 180-day school year or the equivalent, no more than 5 days or the equivalent may be used for in-service education of teachers, administrative meetings, parent-teacher conferences, records' days and similar activities.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/SP008601.pdf
Title: S.B. 86
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org/ |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Provides for the formation of regional education cooperatives. School administrative units in existence as of July 1, 2009 may join a regional education cooperative of their choice, and each participating school administrative unit has a single representative to the cooperative board. Participation in regional education cooperatives is voluntary.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/HP072401.pdf
Title: H.B. 724
Source: http://www.mainelegislature. |
Health--Child Abuse |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires school bus drivers and school bus attendants to report, or cause a report to be made, to the Department of Health and Human Services if they suspect child abuse or neglect has occurred or is likely to occur.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/HP031501.pdf
Title: H.B. 315
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org/ |
Postsecondary |
Adopted 11/2008 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Amends rules relating to authorization for institutions of higher education to confer academic degrees or to offer degree courses.
http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/05/071/071c149.doc
Title: 05-071-149
Source: http://www.maine.gov/sos/ |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Adopted 11/2008 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Amends rules relating to the qualifying examinations for teachers, education specialists and administrators. Relates to the Praxis exam.
http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/05/071/071c013.doc
Title: 05-071-13
Source: http://www.maine.gov/sos/ |
Accountability--School Improvement |
Issued 05/2008 |
P-12 |
The Pre-K through Adult Advisory Council is charged as follows:
a. Furthers the goal of increasing the percentage of Maine's adults with four-year college degrees to 30% of adults;
b. Furthers the goal of raising Maine's high school-to-college rate from 55% to 70%;
c. Leverages Pre-K through Adult resources and technologies; and
d. Finds further efficiencies in education administration at all levels.
The Advisory Council shall submit a report to the Governor by January 1, 2009. The report shall include recommendations concerning the duties set forth in this executive order, a schedule for future reports, and any legislation necessary to implement recommendations.
http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Gov_Executive_Orders&id=55134&v=Article
Title: Exec. Order 12 FY 08/09
Source: http://www.maine.gov/governor/baldacci/index.shtml |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 04/2008 |
P-12 |
(Resolve)Requires the state, in its biannual survey of students, to use a survey of students in grades 6 to 12 that reliably and validly measures those risk and protective factors shown by research to predict adolescent health and behavior problems, including substance abuse and delinquency.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280027660&LD=2114&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: S.B. 804
Source: http://janus.state.me.us/legis/ |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
Signed into law 04/2008 |
P-12 |
Defines alternative education program as a program in which the primary purpose is to provide at-risk students with curricula and assessment; defines alternative learning as an educational option that a public school or publicly supported program offers at-risk students by offering certain educational opportunities; defines at-risk student as a student who may not be promoted, may drop out and is truant; establishes a commission to study alternative education programs.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280028627&LD=2303&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: H.B. 1661A
Source: http://janus.state.me.us/house/ |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 04/2008 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
(Resolve)Directs the Department of Education to recommend to the Board of Education an innovative model of consolidated and integrated secondary and postsecondary education; concerns facilities for a regional high school, a fully integrated career and technical high school, a higher education center that will provide courses and degrees from both the University of Maine System and the Community College System, and centers of excellence that will provide industry-specific training. The model must, among other criteria, promote the development of a "one campus" design, where all facilities are located on one site, providing a streamlined and integrated learning experience for students of all ages.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280027887&LD=2175&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: H.B. 1549
Source: http://janus.state.me.us/house/ |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2008 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Allows the Finance Authority of Maine to issue student loan bonds for the origination or purchase of federally guaranteed student loans secured by a capital reserve fund.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280028613&LD=2300&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: S.B. 918A
Source: http://www.state.me.us/legis/senate/ |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 04/2008 |
P-12 |
Directs the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education, within existing resources, to gather information pertaining to ways to establish and fund after-school programs; directs the departments to seek input from the Maine Afterschool Network and report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education and cultural affairs by a certain date.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280022388&LD=63&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: H.B. 61
Source: http://janus.state.me.us/legis/ |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2008 |
P-12 |
Removes language from the regional school unit authorization laws requiring the merger of bargaining units on a regional school unit-wide basis and enacts new provisions preserving existing bargaining units, existing collective bargaining agents and existing collective bargaining obligations; extends the deadline for the merger of bargaining units represented by different collective bargaining agents.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280026143&LD=1931&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: S.B. 738
Source: http://janus.state.me.us/legis/ |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2008 |
P-12 |
Corrects the laws governing the reorganization of school administrative units; corrects the laws pertaining to the authority of school administrative units to raise and appropriate funds for adult education programs; replaces provisions that were repealed pursuant to Public Law that are related to the closure of an elementary school within a school administrative district or a community school district.
Title: H.B. 1658A
Source: http://janus.state.me.us/house/ |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2008 |
P-12 |
Relates to school administrative unit reorganization; relates to school budgets, the election and terms of unit board members, the apportionment process, local school committees, regional planning committees, tuition where there is no elementary or secondary school, special education subsidies, smaller school units, and plans for alternative organizational structures under the school reorganization law.
http://www.state.me.us/legis/senate/
Title: S.B. 931A
Source: http://www.state.me.us/legis/senate/ |
Special Education |
Signed into law 04/2008 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services to convene an interdepartmental work group to develop and establish a uniform statewide protocol for screening young children for signs of autism, examine models that meet criteria for evidence-based clinical trials to support individual young children with the diagnosis of autism served through the Child Development Services System and to examine the interdepartmental system for capacity and service availability.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280027469&LD=1977&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: S.B. 771
Source: http://janus.state.me.us/legis/ |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 04/2008 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Education to report all denials, revocations, suspensions, surrenders and reinstatements of certification that are not under appeal or still subject to appeal to a national association of state directors of teacher education and certification within 30 days of the action; provides that in reports to the national association of state directors of teacher education and certification, the department may not disclose any information designated as confidential.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280028572&LD=2291&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: S.B. 912A
Source: http://www.state.me.us/legis/senate/ |
High School--Graduation Requirements |
To governor 03/2008 |
P-12 |
Amends standards for student assessment, basic school approval, the elementary, middle and secondary courses of study, the comprehensive program of study for the high school diploma, and the Department of Education diploma in order to more fully implement the State's system of learning results.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280027886&LD=2174&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: H.B. 1548
Source: http://janus.state.me.us/house/ |
Special Education |
Signed into law 03/2008 |
P-12 |
Directs the Department of Education to amend its rules governing special education to provide a deadline of 45 school days for the completion of an evaluation.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280027483&LD=1949&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: H.B. 1387
Source: http://janus.state.me.us/house/ |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 03/2008 |
P-12 |
Allows teachers of modern and classical languages whose primary language is not English to retain certification while receiving support to pass the required Praxis test.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280027595&LD=2083&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: H.B. 1469
Source: http://janus.state.me.us/house/ |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Issued 11/2007 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
(Executive Order 08 FY 08/09) Creates the Governor's Council on Competitiveness and the Economy; concerns a public/private partnership for nonpartisan perspectives on issues related to business and economic growth; concerns investments in research, development and higher education including potential future bond issues.
http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Gov+News&id=45567&v=Article-2006
Title: Executive Order 08 FY 08/09
Source: http://www.maine.gov/governor/baldacci/index.shtml |
Finance--Facilities |
Approved by voters 11/2007 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
(QUESTION 3; P.L. 39-2007) Authorizes issuance of bonds for interior and exterior building renovations, improvements and additions at all campuses of the Community College System, the Maritime Academy and the University of Maine System, to replenish the School Revolving Renovation Fund for school repairs and renovations and to support capital improvements for cultural and educational assets; requires electorate approval.
Title: V. 3 Ballot Initiative
Source: http://www.maine.gov/sos/ |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Provides a tax credit to reimburse educational loan payments for any resident who earns an associate or bachelor's degree and lives, works and pays taxes in the State after earning the degree; provides that residents who earn associate degree or bachelor's degree from an accredited State junior college, college or university may take advantage of the credit; provides that the person or his or her employer may claim the credit for payments made during each year that person lives and works in the State.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/billtextsearch.asp
Title: I. 2; LD 948; LR 124
Source: Maine Legislature |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Implements the recommendations of the Governor's Task Force to Engage State's Youth; ensures that students experiencing education disruption will have the same opportunities to earn an approved high school diploma; relates to disruptions of homelessness, unplanned psychiatric hospitalization, unplanned hospitalization, foster care or other placement not authorized by an individualized education plan.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280025014&LD=1860&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: H.B. 1296
Source: Maine Legislature |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Alternative Education Programs Committee. The committee shall review and make recommendations for the promotion of alternatives in education within existing school systems including how alternative education programs contribute toward helping students be college, work and citizenship ready.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billpdfs/LD175801.pdf
Title: H.B. 1224
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Attendance |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Strengthens the truancy laws by making it a Class E crime for parents who fail to take corrective measures for truant children from kindergarten to grade 6.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280022908&LD=454&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: H.B. 353
Source: Maine Legislature |
Curriculum--Physical Education |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires a minimum of 150 minutes per week for kindergarten to grade 5 and 225 minutes per week for grades 6 to 8 of physical education taught by a teacher certified in physical education. The program content and student assessment must comply with nationally established standards.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billpdfs/LD144201.pdf
Title: H.B. 1011
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Provides a tax credit to reimburse educational loan payments for any resident who earns an associate degree or a bachelor's degree and lives, works and pays taxes in the State; provides that residents who earn associate degree or bachelor's degree from an accredited State junior college, college or university may take advantage of the credit.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/billtextsearch.asp
Title: L.D. 1856; LR 2619
Source: Maine Legislature |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Adjusts the school funding formula to require the unorganized territories to pay their full and fair share of educating students from the unorganized territories in kindergarten to grade 12; relates to tuition and percentages of the state average per public school student.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280022944&LD=484&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: H.B. 368
Source: Maine Legislature |
Finance--Resource Efficiency |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Allows a school administrative unit that is a municipality or school administrative district to combine with another school administrative district to create a larger school administrative district.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billpdfs/LD091001.pdf
Title: H.B. 685; LD 216
Source: Maine Legislature |
Finance--Resource Efficiency |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Allows a school administrative unit that is a municipality or school administrative district to combine with another school administrative district to create a larger school administrative district; permits public schools in the Lower Kennebec River area to achieve efficiency and improve quality.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280023577&LD=910&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: H.B. 685
Source: Maine Legislature |
High School |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Proposes changes in high school graduation requirements, assessments and overall high school program design to ensure that each student has an equitable opportunity to achieve the State's learning results and to graduate ready for college, career and citizenship.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280025007&LD=1859&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: H.B. 1295
Source: Maine Legislature |
High School--Graduation Requirements |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Resolves that the department of education implement methods to encourage districts to encourage secondary school students to complete at least one application to a college, university or other postsecondary educational institution. Provides these methods may include adding a requirement that a student complete at least one application to a college, university or other postsecondary educational institution to the requirements in the department's rules for the award of a diploma. http://www.mainelegislature.org/ros/LOM/LOM123rd/RESOLVE122.asp
Title: H.P. 758; L.D. 1040
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Leadership |
Adopted 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Amends rules relating to the qualifying examinations for teachers, education specialists and administrators. MAINE 8619
http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/05/071/071c013.doc
Title: 05-071-13
Source: Maine Board of Ed. |
P-3 |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Implements the recommendations of the Subcommittee To Study Early Childhood Special Education; relates to early intervention and early childhood special education services for children from birth to 8 years of age.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/billtextsearch.asp
Title: S.B. 666
Source: Maine Legislature |
P-3 |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Expands the opportunity of preschool children with disabilities to continue to have a free and appropriate public education provided through the Child Development Services System; extends the window of eligibility, allowing children who reach 5 years of age between July 1st and October 15th to continue with the Child Development Services System.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280022686&LD=317&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: S.B. 99
Source: Maine Legislature |
P-3 |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Provides a commission to study ways to increase the quality of child care services in the state by identifying and implementing best practices and by addressing current limits on access to high-quality care based on a parent's ability to pay.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280023298&LD=755&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: H.B. 576
Source: Maine Legislature |
Private Schools |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Town Academy Advisory Council in the Department of Education; provides that the members are unpaid gubernatorial appointees representing heads and trustees of town academies and public school superintendents; provides that the council is required to advise the Commissioner of Education on the needs of the town academies and to facilitate communication among the academies, the department and school superintendents; includes private schools.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billpdfs/LD169401.pdf
Title: S.B. 601
Source: http://www.state.me.us/legis/senate/ |
School Safety--Disaster/Emergency Preparedness |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires every school administrative unit to place an automated external defibrillator in each of the unit's school buildings and make it available for secondary school athletic events inside and outside the building. The bill requires the school administrative unit to place the defibrillator in an easily accessible location, notify employees, students and local emergency response agencies of its location and develop procedures for the possession, storage and use of the defibrillator and for perceived sudden cardiac arrest emergencies. This bill also provides immunity for people who possess, store and use an automated external defibrillator under the provisions of the bill.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billpdfs/LD178501.pdf
Title: H.B. 1247
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
School Safety--Disaster/Emergency Preparedness |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Relates to a school comprehensive emergency management plan; makes the approval of a crisis response plan by a school board public information but makes the contents of the plan confidential and not available to the public; relates to hazards and potential hazards.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280022579&LD=222&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: H.B. 193
Source: Maine Legislature |
Special Education |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Creates an Education Bill of Rights for deaf and hard-of-hearing children; provides for rights based on federal and state rules and laws; encourages the development of a communication-driven and language- driven educational delivery system for children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing; promotes the well- being and growth of students who are deaf or hard- of-hearing by ensuring that educational programs recognize the unique nature of deafness and the hard-of-hearing condition; provides for a working group.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280025417&LD=1901&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: H.B. 1335
Source: Maine Legislature |
Teaching Quality--Professional Development |
Died 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the Treasurer of State to organize a seminar in November 2007 for training in teaching financial literacy to students from kindergarten to grade 12, paid for from available funds in the Unclaimed Property Fund. Also directs the Department of Education to allow the seminar to qualify for continuing education credits for teachers and education personnel.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billpdfs/LD156401.pdf
Title: H.B. 1089
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Attendance |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Concerns compulsory school attendance. This bill adds to the duties of the attendance coordinator serving as the liaison between the school and the local law enforcement agency in matters pertaining to student absenteeism.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billpdfs/LD046801.pdf
Title: S.B. 155; L
Source: Maine Legislature |
Governance |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Expands the membership of the State Board of Education to include one student member.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280022477&LD=151&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: H.B. 133
Source: Maine Legislature |
Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Changes the composition of the State Board of Education by requiring that membership of the board be broadly representative of the geographic regions of the State and of municipalities of varying sizes.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280023364&LD=791&Type=1&SessionID=7
Title: S.B. 240
Source: Maine Legislature |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
(Resolve) Directs the Department of Education to review and assess distance learning opportunities for public high school students and report to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by January 15, 2008.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billpdfs/LD048101.pdf
Title: H.B. 365
Source: Maine Legislature |
P-3 Preschool |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Defines "public preschool program" in the laws governing education. This definition differentiates a public preschool program from a one-or-two-year kindergarten program. The bill also integrates approval of early childhood education plans for programs for children 4 years of age into the laws governing basic school approval.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billpdfs/LD056001.pdf
Title: S.B. 172; LD 560
Source: Maine Legislature |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
(Resolve) Provides for review of various funding and accountability requirements for the range of programs providing before-school and after-school programming for school-age children; increases both the effectiveness and efficiency of those programs in meeting the broad needs of the children, families and communities in which they exist; creates a study group.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billpdfs/LD136901.pdf
f
Title: H.B. 961; LD 1369
Source: Maine Legislature |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Directs the State Board of Education to adopt rules allowing a teacher in a regional special education or regional alternative educational program or school to meet certification requirements by substituting demonstrated life experience or work experience for course work or other applicable education requirements.
Title: H.B. 734
Source: Maine Legislature |
Finance--Resource Efficiency |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
(Resolve) Provides for legislative review of portions of Chapter 28: Closing a School in the Unorganized Territory, a major substantive rule of the Department of Education.
Title: H.B. 35
Source: Maine Legislature |
Curriculum--Arts Education |
Signed into law 03/2007 |
Postsec. |
Authorizes the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts to confer the degree of Doctor of Visual Arts upon students in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 10704. On December 13, 2006 the State Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the institute's application to confer the degree and transmitted its recommendation to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs in accordance with the Department of Education's rules, Chapter 149.
Private and Special Law 1
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billpdfs/LD046201.pdf
Title: H.B. 361
Source: Maine Legislature |
Postsecondary Students--Minority |
Issued 01/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Creates the Multicultural Affairs Sub-Cabinet to promote interdepartmental collaboration on multicultural policy development and program implementation. Provides that the commissioner of the state department of education, the president of the Maine Community College System and the chancellor of the University of Maine system (or designee) must serve on the council.
Creates the Multicultural Affairs Advisory Council to advise the sub-cabinet of service delivery issues and multicultural needs and to recommend strategies and policies for improving the delivery of services to the state's multicultural population. Requires the council to include representation from school districts with significant multicultural populations. Directs the council to assist the sub-cabinet with duties related to data assessment, planning and policy development, program integrity, public awareness, interdepartmental service delivery, and the development and function of subcommittees.
http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Gov_Executive_Orders&id=29854&v=Article
Title: EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 25 FY 06/07
Source: www.maine.gov |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Issued 12/2006 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Establishes the Governor's Council on Jobs, Innovation, and the Economy to:
1. Develop a recommended action plan for moving the state forward on the innovation-focused and cluster development activities that will define the state's investment strategies.
2. Propose structures, entities and activities that support the realization of these investments.
Directs the council to collaborate with the Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, the Director of the State Planning Office, the State Budget Officer, the legislature, Maine's university and community college systems and other stakeholders to fulfill these duties.
http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Gov_Executive_Orders&id=28091&v=Article
Title: EXECUTIVE ORDER 23 FY 06/07
Source: www.maine.gov |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol |
Signed into law 06/2006 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a performance-enhancing substance list, to publish
the list on its publicly accessible website and to notify the Department of Education of the list. The bill also requires
sport coaches, athletic directors and physical education teachers to be trained in the dangers of the use of performance-enhancing
substances. The bill prohibits the use of performance-enhancing substances by students participating in interscholastic sports
and requires a student to sign a form indicating that the student will abstain from using a performance-enhancing substance. PL 674
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/ld195201-2.asp
Title: S.B. 749; LD 1952
Source: Maine Legislature |
Adult Basic Education |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
Community College |
Proposes to continue the college transitions pilot projects that are in place in 7 adult education programs to assist persons to make the transition from job loss to community college by placing them in an adult education setting where they learn about adapting to a learning environment, explore college programs and are placed in an academic setting to improve skills and confidence. Private and Special Law 69
Title: S.B. 702
Source: Maine Legislature |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Reestablishes the Task Force on Citizenship Education and extends a reporting deadline; provides that the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters may report out legislation based on the report to the First Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature. PL 639
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/ld211201.asp
Title: H.B. 1504; LD2112
Source: Maine Legislature |
Special Education |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Relates to children with disabilities; consolidates and reorganizes the delivery of early childhood special education services; includes the child development services system to achieve efficiencies of cost and effectiveness of childhood special education programs; relates to a physical disability, mental condition or developmental delay; includes vision and hearing impairments. PL 662
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/ld177201-1.asp
Title: S.B. 689; LD 1772
Source: Maine Legislature |
Student Supports--Mentoring/Tutoring |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Mentoring Partnership Grant Program administered by the Department of Education to provide grants to eligible entities for mentoring programs that provide guidance, support and encouragement to young people through the development of structured relationships; provides for program grants; includes school-based and independent programs.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billdocs/LD097901.doc
Title: H.B. 689; LD 979
Source: Maine Legislature |
Health |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires individual and group health insurance policies to continue coverage for dependent children up to 24 years of age who are unable to maintain enrollment in college due to mental or physical illness if they would otherwise terminate coverage due to a requirement that dependent children of a specified age be enrolled in college to maintain eligibility; provides that an insurer may require written documentation from a health care provider and the student's school. Public Law No. 532
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/chapdocs/PUBLIC532.doc
Title: S.B. 777; LD 2014
Source: Maine Legislature |
P-16 or P-20 |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Establishes resources to improve the health, well- being, education and economic security of citizens by enhancing and expanding early education opportunities, after-school initiatives, early college programs for secondary school students and access to higher education opportunities through a guaranteed tuition program for undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Maine System and a tuition waiver program for resident students enrolled at the Community College System. PL 657
Title: S.B. 751
Source: Maine Legislature |
Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Amends the Notice of Risk to Personal Data Act; relates to a security breach; amends notification requirements regarding agencies of state government, university and community college systems, the maritime academy, private colleges and universities; requires notification to residents by information brokers and other persons; relates to third party entities. The Chief Information Officer shall establish written standards for the security of computerized data, including personal information, maintained by state agencies and departments, including standards for notification to a resident of this State when an agency or department becomes aware of a breach of security with regard to personal information and if a reasonable investigation reveals that personal information has been misused or a reasonable possibility exists that personal information will be misused.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/ld201701.asp
Title: H.B. 1417; LD 2017
Source: Maine Legislature |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Relates to locally approved school administrative district cost-sharing agreements which were preempted by Public Law 2003, chapter 712, which first became effective for the 2005-06 school fiscal years and caused significant changes in the local financial obligations among the municipalities participating in those school districts. The bill reestablishes the cost-sharing agreement established in 1992 at a referendum election by the voters of Maine School Administrative District No. 40. Private and Special Law No. 38
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/LD.asp?LD=1903
Title: H.B. 1344 (also HP 1344 and LD 1903)
Source: Maine Legislative Site |
Standards |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Provides financial support to existing nongovernment education organizations that create and manage statewide and regional networks that provide learning results implementation support and services to educators and school systems, such as professional development. Each organization receiving funds as a result of this section shall collect evaluation data annually directly from the school districts served, use this data to develop additional services and support and report progress to the department. Public Law No. 593
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billdocs/LD142501.doc
Title: H.B. 989; LD 1425
Source: Maine Legislature |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Updates the law that established a minimum teachers' salary, starting in 1987, of $ 15,500, an amount that is now outdated and increases the amount to $ 30,000. The bill also establishes a method for future periodic updating of the minimum salary amount and outlines procedures for the distribution of funds for teachers' salaries.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/ld138108-5.asp
Title: S.B. 480
Source: Maine Legislature |
Health--Nutrition |
Adopted 01/2006 |
P-12 |
The Department of Education is proposing amendments to Ch. 51 - Child Nutrition Programs in Public Schools and Institutions. The rule contains the requirements that supplement federal regulations pertaining to the National School Lunch Program, the After School Snack Program, the School Breakfast Program, and the School Milk Program. The rule requires funds from all food and beverage sales made at anytime on school property to accrue to the benefit of the school's non-profit school food service program; with exceptions.
Proposed amendments would allow, under local school board policy or policy established by Career and Technical/Center Cooperative Boards, a school, approved student organization, or program to benefit from the sale of foods and beverages sold at food sales, in school stores, and in vending machines, and for the sponsors of community events to benefit from the sale of food or beverages sold at the event. Amendments also clarify that a school, approved student organization or program may sell foods or beverages if consistent with the requirement that such sales not include foods of minimal nutritional value. The rule amends the current exception for the sale of foods and beverages by Career and Technical Education (CTE) centers or programs to be consistent with all exceptions in the rule which allow, by school board policy or Career Technical Education Region/Center cooperative board policy, the sale of food which include foods of minimal nutritional value as defined in the rule but limits this exception to the CTE Culinary Arts Program.
Title: CMR 05-071-051
Source: Lexis/Nexis, StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Rule Adoption 08/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends rules relating to qualifying examinations for teachers and administrators, to include content knowledge and teaching skills examinations and the passing scores for each are incorporated into this rule. Includes a waiver of the Praxis I and Praxis II examinations for the Native Language Teacher endorsement. ftp://ftp.maine.gov/pub/sos/cec/rcn/apa/05/071/071c013.doc
Title: 05-071-13
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Emergency Rule Adoption 08/2005 |
P-12 |
Establishes emergency regulation to permit the Department of Education to certify persons who are teaching theater arts or dance in the State as of October 1, 2005, and who hold a valid certificate to teach in the State and have completed a minimum of two years or the equivalent of two school years of teaching theater arts or dance in an accredited public or private school.
Title: 05-071-115
Source: StateNet |
P-16 or P-20 |
Issued 06/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Creates the PK-20 Telecommunications and Technology Infrastructure Board, the Broadband Access Infrastructure Board and the Telecommunciations Infrastructure Steering Committee. Defines purpose, objectives, duties and membership of each. Implementation costs are to be absorbed by the participating agencies, members serve without compensation.
http://www.maine.gov/governor/baldacci/news/executive-orders/E.O.%27s%20since%20E.R.%27s%20arrival/EO%2041%20FY%200405%20-%20Broadband.doc
Title: Executive Order
Source: http://www.maine.gov/governor/ |
School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Defines unacceptable student behavior; as including, but not limited to, behavior that negatively affects a student's ability to perform academically or socially, such as: bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, quid pro quo sexual harassment, which is when the perpetrator forces the victim to perform a favor or assume some responsibility for the harassment; or hostile-environment sexual harassment, which is when the perpetrator's behavior affects the victim's ability to perform effectively in the school environment. Requires each district-wide student code of conduct to establish policies and procedures to address bullying, harassment and sexual harassment.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD056401-1.asp
Title: LD 564
Source: State Net |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Issued 04/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Establishes 10-member task force to plan for higher education in the Kennebec Valley. Establishes membership composition, duties and procedures for task force. Task force is to submit a final report by December 1, 2005.
http://www.maine.gov/governor/baldacci/news/executive-orders/E.O.%27s%20since%20E.R.%27s%20arrival/EO%2038%20FY%200405%20-%20Task%20Force%20Higher%20Education.doc
Title: Executive Order
Source: http://www.maine.gov |
Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Limits the number of terms of office for members of the State Board of Education to 2 5-year terms, which need not be consecutive, beginning with new appointments by the Governor at the expiration of the current board members' terms of office.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280014850&LD=247&Type=1&SessionID=6
Title: H.P. 186
Source: StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Education to adopt major substantive rules to establish standards and practices to follow when proposing to close a school in the unorganized territory.
Title: H.P. 427
Source: StateNet |
Students--Records/Rights |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Forbids the denial of rights in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, and education opportunity to individuals based on their sexual orientation; provides certain exemptions for certain religious organizations.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280016226&LD=1196&Type=1&SessionID=6
Title: S.P. 413
Source: StateNet |
Health--Suicide Prevention |
Issued 02/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Orders the governor's children's cabinet to assign staff to participate in a strategic planning process to update and revise the Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program (MYSPP), outline strategies to improve the quality and accessibility of suicide and self-injury data, submit revised MYSPP statewide implementation plan to the governor by August 31, 2005 and propose actions likely to reduce youth suicide and suicide attempts. Orders children's cabinet to identify appropriate financial resources. Orders collaboration between various agencies and with the private sector.
http://www.maine.gov/governor/baldacci/news/executive-orders/EO%2033%20FY%200405%20-%20suicide%20prevention.doc
Title: Executive Order
Source: http://www.maine.gov |
Finance |
Signed into law 01/2005 |
P-12 |
Increases the State share of education costs; provides for reduction in property taxes; reduces government spending at all levels; provides a formula for adjustment of levy calculation; creates the Maine Budget Stabilization Fund; provides for transfers from and excess of General Fund revenues; concerns the Highway Fund; concerns calculation of long-term growth rate limitation; establishes limitation on municipal appropriations; concerns mill rates, special education costs.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280014321&LD=1&Type=1&SessionID=6
Title: H.P. 6
Source: StateNet |
Finance--District |
FILED. 01/2005 |
P-12 |
Requires schools and school districts to line item sports programs for municipal veto.
Title: L.R. 1668
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Rule Adoption 11/2004 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Repeals and replaces rules relating to the guaranteed student loan programs. Establishes industry standard procedures and policies for the administration of the Guaranteed Student Loan Program. Establishes separate policies with regard to Consolidation Loans and some in the event of a default or bankruptcy. MAINE REG 7981 (SN)
Title: 94-457-602
Source: StateNet |
Finance--Taxes/Revenues |
On November 2004 Ballot 09/2004 |
P-12 |
TITLE: An Act to Impose Limits on Real and Personal Property Taxes
QUESTION: "Do you want to limit property taxes to 1% of the assessed value of the property?"
Title: Ballot Initiative
Source: Maine State Web site |
Special Education |
Rule Adoption 08/2004 |
P-12 |
Establishes rule to allow parents of preschool children with disabilities who are already receiving free appropriate public education (FAPE) services from Child Development Services and who turn five between September 1st and October 15th to choose not to enroll the child in kindergarten and to continue receiving FAPE Services. MAINE REG 7915 (SN)
Title: 05-071-180
Source: Westlaw |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Rule Adoption 07/2004 |
Postsec. |
Amends the rule by adding an attendance at a U.S. military service academy as an early termination event, not subject to the penalty for nonqualified withdrawals. Makes changes to the NextGen scholarship program. Makes changes to the matching grant programs. Specifies that a NextGen scholarship is only awarded once. MAINE REG 7868 (SN)
Title: 94-457-611
Source: StateNet |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 05/2004 |
P-12 |
(Resolution)Proposes to implement the recommendations of the Commission to Study the Scope and Quality of Citizenship Education; includes the recommendations of the Commission to Study the Scope and Quality of Citizenship Education related to implications for the system of learning results; provides for the Department of Education and the State Board of Education to establish a Task Force; includes voter education.
Title: H.P. 1417
Source: StateNet |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 05/2004 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Creates and expands opportunities in Maine to retain and attract youth of 15 to 35 years of age by developing a comprehensive marketing strategy to promote Maine to youth as an attractive location to pursue education, employment and business development opportunities; provides that higher education and business opportunities must be highlighted; establishes an advisory body.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD188301-1.asp
Title: H.P. 1399
Source: StateNet |
P-3 Finance |
Signed into law 05/2004 |
P-12 |
The bill provides that by fiscal year 2009-10 the state share of kindergarten to grade 12 education funding, as described by essential programs and services, must be 55%. It also establishes a local cost share expectation for property tax years beginning on or after April 1, 2005. The Commissioner of Education shall annually notify each school administrative unit of its expectation. This expectation must decline over the period from fiscal year 2005-06 to fiscal year 2009-10. The expectation may not exceed 9.0 mills in fiscal year 2005-06. It may not exceed 8.0 mills in fiscal year 2009-10. The legislative body of a school administrative unit may not adopt a property tax rate that exceeds its mill expectation unless, in a vote separate from its adoption of the school budget, it votes to increase the property tax rate.
The bill also places transportation operating costs into the essential programs and services funding formula. It also states that special education costs will be included in essential programs and services starting in fiscal year 2005-06. Beginning in fiscal year 2004-05, the Department of Education will provide training in state-approved guidelines for identification of special education students. The bill also places early childhood education program costs and vocational education program costs into essential programs and services no later than fiscal year 2007-08.
Note Sec. 16:
Basis for funding costs of education from kindergarten to grade 12. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning in fiscal year 2005-06, funding of the costs of education from kindergarten to grade 12 must be based on the cost of providing essential programs and services as described in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, chapter 606-B.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/ld_title.asp?ld=1924
Title: S.P. 761
Source: StateNet |
P-3 Grades 1-3 |
Signed into law 05/2004 |
P-12 |
Amends applicable statutes and instructs the Department of Human Services and the Department of Education to amend rules to clarify that a child who is already receiving free, appropriate public education services through the Child Development Services System and who reaches 5 years of age between certain months, continues to be eligible for those services should the parents decide not to enroll the child in kindergarten until the child is 6 years of age.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/ld_title.asp?ld=1960
Title: S.P. 801
Source: StateNet |
Curriculum--Mathematics |
Signed into law 04/2004 |
P-12 |
In 1993, the United States Congress authorized the "Department
of Defense STARBASE Program" and authorized the Department of
Defense to enter into agreements with the states for the purpose
of conducting programs designed to improve the knowledge and
skills of students in mathematics, science and technology. This
bill authorizes the establishment of a STARBASE program to provide science, mathematics and technology education improvement program for school children; removes the provisions of the bill that authorize the Adjutant General to contract with public and private entities to operate the program; retains and clarifies the provisions of the bill that authorizes the Adjutant General to hire a Director and other employees to operate the program.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280011947&LD=1690&Type=1
Title: http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280011947&LD=1690&Type=1
Source: StateNet |
No Child Left Behind |
Signed into law 04/2004 |
P-12 |
(Senate Resolve) This resolve prohibits the Department of Education from using state funds to implement the policies of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
The resolve also requires the Department of Education to investigate the costs and benefits of not participating in the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The resolve also requires the department to submit its findings to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by March 15, 2004.
Title: S.P. 648
Source: StateNet |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Signed into law 04/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires school administrative units to develop and approve plans for a regional school calendar in its career and technical center and school administrative units to develop a regional school calendar that aligns with school calendars of career and technical programs in the region.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD194602-1.asp
Title: H.P. 1446
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD194602-1.asp |
Special Education |
Signed into law 04/2004 |
P-12 |
This bill, which implements the recommendations of the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council, amends the reporting requirements for the Department of Human Services, the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services and the Department of Education relating to the prevention of developmental disabilities. The bill enacts definitions of developmental disabilities and mental and physical impairments for the purposes of reporting requirements, and it clarifies the scope of the required annual report. The bill explicitly states that the provisions of this section may not be interpreted to expand or otherwise affect the requirements of the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services to provide services to children and families.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD194001-2.asp
Title: H.P. 1437
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Rule Adoption 04/2004 |
P-12 |
Clarifies rules regarding retirees returning to employment after retirement with the same employer. Establishes a waiver that must be executed by each reitiree to acknowledge that no future accruals of service credit or increase in earnable compensation will result if the retiree returns to employment. Outlines requirements that must be met in order for a bona fide termination from employment to have occurred such that a retirement benefit can be paid to a below- normal-retirement age retiree. MAINE REG 7805 (SN)
Title: 94-411-410
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Paraprofessionals |
Private and Special Law No. 45. 04/2004 |
P-12 |
Clarifies that the proposed extension of time by which school administrative units may requests upgrades to higher classifications for educational technicians who were employed before a certain date and who are otherwise eligible for upgrade, pertains to a person employed as a teacher assistant or as a teacher associate who was not recommended for promotion due to an error on the part of the school administrative unit.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD194401-1.asp
Title: S.P. 781
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Professional Development |
Signed into law 04/2004 |
P-12 |
(Resolution) Gives professional and occupational licensing authorities limited authority to waive continuing education requirements for returning Armed Forces personnel returning from active duty. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD195901-1.asp
Title: H.P. 1459
Source: StateNet |
Attendance |
Signed into law 03/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires the superintendent to send a notice to the parent of a truant informing the parent that the child is truant and the child is required by law to attend school; requires the superintendent to report the truancy of a child to the local law enforcement agency if a parent has not complied with the notice; makes it a class E crime if a parent fails to enroll a child in school.
Title: H.P. 800
Source: StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 03/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires a public school or private school approved for attendance purposes by the Department of Education to adopt a written local policy allowing students to possess and self-administer asthma inhalers and epinephrine pens in the school; requires that a school receive written approval from the student's parent or guardian and the student's primary health care provider before authorization.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD176801-1.asp
Title: H.P. 1290
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Health |
Signed into law 03/2004 |
P-12 |
Ensures that emergency medical help is available to all school children and personnel; relates to cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillators.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD017701-1.asp
Title: H.P. 136
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Finance--Facilities |
November 2003 Ballot 11/2003 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Do you favor a $19,000,000 bond issue to make repairs, upgrades and other facility improvements and enhance access for students with disabilities and upgrade classroom equipment at various campuses of the University of Maine System; the Maine Maritime Academy; and the Maine Community College System, which was formerly the Maine Technical College System, and to provide grants to construct and renovate public libraries and to improve community access to electronic resources? http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/intent.pdf
Title: Question 5: Bond Issue
Source: Maine State Web site |
Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures |
November 2003 Ballot 11/2003 |
P-12 |
Competing Measure: Do you want to lower property taxes and avoid the need for a significant increase in state taxes by phasing in a 55% state contribution to the cost of public education and by providing expanded property tax relief? http://www.state.me.us/sos/cec/elec/intent.pdf
Title: Question 1B
Source: Maine State Web site |
Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures |
November 2003 Ballot 11/2003 |
P-12 |
Citizen Initiative: Do you want the State to pay 55% of the cost of public education, which includes all special education costs, for the purpose of shifting costs from the property tax to state resources? http://www.state.me.us/sos/cec/elec/intent.pdf
Title: Question 1A
Source: Maine State Web site |
Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures |
November 2003 Ballot 11/2003 |
P-12 |
Allows voter to vote against both the Citizen Initiative (Question 1A) and the Competing Measure (Question 1B). http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/intent.pdf
Title: Question 1C
Source: Maine State Web site |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
November 2003 Ballot 11/2003 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Citizen Initiative: Do you want to allow slot machines at certain commercial horse racing tracks if part of the proceeds are used to lower prescription drug costs for the elderly and disabled, and for scholarships to the state universities and technical colleges? http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/intent.pdf
Title: Question 2
Source: Maine State Web site |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Rule Adoption 11/2003 |
Postsec. |
Proposes rules regarding the Higher Education Loan Program. Provides rules that the Authority may not originate federally guaranteed student loans except for consolidation. MAINE REG 7662 (SN)
Title: 94-457-615
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
Rule Adoption 11/2003 |
Postsec. |
Proposes details of rules to be utilized in the conduct of the Educators for Maine Program. Provides financial assistance for post-secondary education to undergraduate students pursing post-baccalaureate certification. MAINE REG 7661 (SN)
Title: 94-457-610
Source: StateNet |
Special Education |
Rule Adoption 07/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends conditions for funding approval for Special Education Programs. Provides a school district will no longer be able to override a parent not giving consent for the initial provision of special education and related services. Deletes rules regarding the Absence of Consent. MAINE REG 7558 (SN)
Title: 05-071-101
Source: StateNet |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the director of the office of substance abuse to review procedures for collecting youth drug and alcohol use information, including a review of Washington State's "Healthy Youth Survey." Director must report to legislature in fall 2003 with recommendations on specified areas. Requires the director of the office of substance abuse to review the office's methods of preparing teachers and others who give the Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey in schools, to ensure that survey administrators are adequately prepared. Requires the director to collaborate with appropriate local district representatives to design a plan for training and coordinating administration of the 2004 survey, to be presented to the legislature.
Requires the commissioner of education to review the Project ALERT program and other similar prevention programs and prepare recommendations on whether these programs are viable alternatives to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program. Requires recommended options to be available statewide and through the system of learning results, and to include a teacher training program. Requires commissioner to present such recommendations to the legislature in the fall of 2003.
Requires the commissioner of education to examine state standards and performance indicators to determine whether standards on health and physical education adequately incorporate the principles and goals of the alcohol and drug use policies for student athletes as presented in the 2002 report by the Youth Policy and Empowerment Project, and to propose changes to those standards if the commissioner determines that they do not adequately incorporate those principles and goals. Requires the commissioner to present the results of that review and those recommendations to the Legislative Youth Advisory Council.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billdocs/LD042501.doc
Title: H.P. 333 (LD 425)
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Attendance |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires that disciplinary, attendance and health records be included in the records that follow a student who transfers to another school either within or outside the state. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD026201-1.asp
Title: S.P. 96 (LD 262)
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Background Checks |
Vetoed 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Restricts fingerprinting of educational personnel to new hires. Specifies that statistics and other information gathered during fingerprinting and background checks of educational personnel are public information, but that dissemination of such information must preserve confidentiality of the information. Specifies how statistics and other information may be disseminated. Allows state board to establish criminal offenses, fraud or gross incompetence as grounds for denial of teaching certificate or approval. Allows consideration of prior criminal convications as element of fitness to be certified or renewed, within 3 years of applicant's final release from a correctional system. After those 3 years, an applicant with a prior criminal conviction who applies for certification or approval must be considered in the same manner as an applicant with no prior prior criminal convictions. Specifies that crime punishable by one year or more of imprisonment or conviction of crime that relates directly to certification or approval by applicant or that demonstrates conduct that may endanger a child are grounds for revocation, suspension or nonrenewal. Places burden of proof of warranting public trust on applicant.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billdocs/LD089001.doc
Title: H.P. 667 (LD 890)
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Implements the recommendations of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council. Increases the council membership from 21 to 22, increasing appointments by senate president from 10 to 11, thereby increasing from one to two the appointees who are senate members.
Establishes a legislative co-chair and youth chair for the council. Establishes procedure for selection and term length of each chair. Requires the state education commissioner, secretary of state and director of the office of substance abuse to develop recommendations to establish a permanent youth advisory committee in the executive branch to serve as a resource for any state agency charged with developing, implementing or enforcing policies that relate specifically to youth. These recommendations are to be reported to the legislative youth advisory council.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billdocs/LD075101.doc
Title: H.P. 557
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
(House Resolve) Establishes the Commission to Study the Scope and Quality of Citizenship Education. Commission is to be comprised of three senate members, three house members, and 10 governor appointees representing different levels of the education community. Requires the commission to study: 1. The extent to which citizenship education, including service learning, is currently included in the visions, missions, values and practices of Maine school administrative districts and institutions of higher education; 2. The extent to which existing preservice and in-service professional development programs for educators address citizenship education; 3. National models for educational continua that cover preschool through college with the potential for preparing Maine students to be active and engaged citizens; and 4. Models for involving students and giving them a voice in the governance of our institutions and providing opportunities for student engagement and leadership. Requires the commission to report its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the legislature by December 3, 2003.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billdocs/LD042501.doc
Title: H.P. 333
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires school budget referendum language to provide voters with a simple definition for "foundation allocation," "debt service" and "additional local funds." http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billdocs/LD006901.doc
Title: H.P. 77 (LD 69)
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends section allowing district to appeal to extend 5-year maximum approval period for leasing portable classroom space if this limitation creates an undue burden. Specifies that when making a determination on a school administrative unit's request for relief based on undue burden, the state board may consider, but not be limited to, the following: (i) Fiscal capacity; (ii) Enrollment demographics; and (iii) Unforeseen circumstances not within the control of the appealing school administrative unit. Adds that the state board's decision is final.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD157701-1.asp
Title: S.P. 538 (LD 1577) (omnibus bill)
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Implements school funding based on essential programs and services; targets increased State share percentage; provides for transition adjustment; addresses distribution method.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280011049&LD=1623&Type=1
Title: S.P. 575
Source: StateNet |
Governance |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes a task force to study the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adolescents. Establishes membership of task force, appointments to which must be made within 30 days of effective date of this resolve. Requires the task force to examine the behavioral, developmental, social, emotional and educational needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adolescents not receiving adequate services due to a lack of appropriate resources. Specifically, the task force must examine: 1. Services that are currently available to serve the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adolescents and the ability of those providers to provide culturally competent, linguistically accessible services; 2. Demographic data of the numbers of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adolescents in need of such specialized services and projections regarding the number of deaf and hard-of-hearing younger children who may require such services in the future; and 3. Proposals designed to improve the delivery of services to meet the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adolescents, including, but not limited to, the development of in-state specialty services, collaborative agreements with bordering states and states with specialized facilities and training initiatives. Requires the task force to submit a report, including findings and recommendations, to the legislature by December 10, 2003.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD055301-1.asp
Title: S.P. 193 (LD 553)
Source: StateNet |
P-3 |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends the Educators for Maine Program; provides financial assistance for postsecondary education to undergraduate students or students pursuing postbaccalaureate certification who demonstrate academic achievement and interest in teaching, speech pathology or child care. Added the categories of speech pathology and child care. Postbaccalaureate students must be pursuing a course of student that will lead to certification in one of the above fields. Caps Educator for Maine loans at $20,000 in total, or any funds that result in making the total financial aid award exceed the cost of attendance. An individual who received that individual's first program loan after January 1, 2000 may cancel the total amount of the loan by completing one year of return service by working in a child care facility. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD134001-1.asp
Title: H.P. 985 (LD 1340)
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
Postsec. |
Creates Higher Education Loan Purchase Program; allows the Governor to designate a State agency as a secondary market for higher education loans; designates the Finance Authority as the State secondary market; authorizes issuance of tax exempt bonds to finance certain loans; includes nonresidents attending institutions of higher learning.
Title: S.P. 579
Source: StateNet |
Special Education |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Includes "emotional disability" as disability rendering a student an exceptional student eligible for special education services.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD157701-1.asp
Title: S.P. 538 (LD 1577) (omnibus bill)
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Special Populations--Gifted and Talented |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Eliminates language basing grant funds for gifted education programs on "$2 of state matching funds for each $1 of funds appropriated by the school administrative unit." Replaces with requirement that grants for gifted education programs be made based on department requirements. Deletes language that a district or portion thereof is not required to comply with its gifted and talented plan during the 2000-01 and 2001-02 school years. Requires every district, starting with 2003-04 academic year, to fully implement its plan for phasing in gifted and talented educational programs.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD157701-1.asp
Title: S.P. 538 (LD 1577) (omnibus bill)
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Special Populations--Homeless Education |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Expands definition of homeless student to comply with definition required under federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, including provision that homeless student the child of a parent or guardian who is homeless. Requires commissioner-adopted rules on homeless education to implement the 2001 reauthorization of the McKinney-Vento Act found within the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Requires such rules to include provisions to address transportation and health records as a barrier to school admission for homeless students.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD157701-1.asp
Title: S.P. 538 (LD 1577) (omnibus bill)
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Special Populations--Homeless Education |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
This bill does the following:
1. It adds "emotional disability" to the definition of "exceptional student" in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A,
section 7001;
2. It adds "undue burden" as a requirement concerning requests for extension of leased space agreements relating to local school administrative units;
3. It amends the definition of "homeless student" in compliance with the provisions of federal law;
4. It amends the homeless student provisions to be addressed by Department of Education rules to implement federal law;
5. It amends and clarifies the section of the statute defining the tuition rate that may be charged by schools receiving tuition students who are enrolled in regular school day applied technology educational programs at applied technology centers. It adds language establishing the tuition rate that may be charged by the applied technology center, satellite or region; and
6. It amends the statutes regarding local funding requirements for gifted and talented programs and the reporting dates and implementation dates for those programs. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD157701-1.asp
Title: S.P. 538
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Adds to existing language that required state board to establish criteria under which a targeted need area certificate could be issued to a person holding a bachelor's degree and teaching in a commissioner-identified teacher shortage area. New language bars enactment increasing qualifications for a targeted need certificate from applying to a person who was issued a targeted need area certificate prior to or during the 2002-2003 school year under the original rules.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billdocs/LD095701.doc
Title: H.P. 714 (LD 957)
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
(House Resolve) Concerns legislative review of portions of certification, authorization and approval of education personnel, a major substantive rule of the Department of Education.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD153001-1.asp
Title: H.P. 1122
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Concerns targeted need area certificates for teachers; provides that the certificate may only be issued to a person holding a bachelor's degree and teaching in a teacher shortage area; allows a 3rd targeted need area certificate to be issued to prelingually deaf applicants under certain conditions.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD095701-1.asp
Title: H.P. 714
Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org |
Attendance |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Regards age eligibility for enrollment in a public secondary school; authorizes the Commissioner of Education to waive on a case-by-case basis waivers of age requirements to allow students who have reached 20 years of age before the start of the school year to enroll as public secondary school students. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billdocs/LD059201.doc
Title: S.P. 201
Source: StateNet |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, requires a person employed as a substitute teacher and a person who is a regular school employee and who also needs fingerprinting and a criminal history record check to be issued a temporary approval card by the Department of Education and to meet the fingerprinting and criminal history record check requirements within 8 weeks of employment. Specifies that for a person who has been fingerprinted pursuant to this section prior to the 20th day of employment and who has not received the results of the criminal history record check prior to the 9th week of employment, the temporary approval card remains valid until the commissioner determines whether approval is granted or denied based on the criminal history record information obtained from the State Bureau of Identification.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billdocs/LD103201.doc
Title: H.P. 749 (LD 1032)
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Bilingual/ESL |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Committee to Investigate the Feasibility of and Need for Regulation of Spoken Language Interpreters. Establishes committee membership, which must include a member representing the Portland schools multilingual program. Requires the committee to examine: 1. The current state of spoken language interpreting throughout the state; 2. The need for spoken language interpreting in the state; 3. The potential harm to public safety if this profession is not regulated; and 4. The costs involved in regulating the profession. Requires the committee to report its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the legislature by December 10, 2003.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD090901-1.asp
Title: S.P. 305 (LD 909)
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Allows a school administrative unit that is engaged in a lease-purchase agreement for portable classroom space to be eligible for state support beyond the 10-year limit if the unit has a major capital improvement application on file with the department and is not rated high enough to obtain funding to correct problems with its facilities. Adds that the unit is eligible for support until it obtains funds to correct problems. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billdocs/LD084201.doc
Title: H.P. 619
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Prohibits the presence, use and storage on school and child care center property of chemicals known to cause cancer; requires the adoption of major substantive rules by the Commissioner of Education and the Commissioner of Human Services.
Title: H.P. 158, 199
Source: StateNet |
High School |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Makes the law regarding transfer of credit for equivalent instruction at nonapproved private schools consistent with earned credit for home school instruction by adding the authority for a principal to require student testing before transferring credit for equivalent instruction; predicates award of a high school diploma on a student's satisfying both course credit and other requirements set by a local school board. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD098701-1.asp
Title: S.P. 328 (LD 987)
Source: StateNet |
Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends laws governing home instruction; excuses student from attending a public school if the student obtains equivalent instruction in a specified home instruction program; requires a student's parent or guardian to provide a detailed written notice of intent to provide home instruction simultaneously to the school officials of the administrative unit in which the student resides within 14 days of the beginning of home instruction. Requires the notice to include specified information. Requires person responsible for ensuring child's attendance to file a letter with the commissioner on or before September 1st of each subsequent year declaring intent to continue providing home instruction. Requires district to make public school resources and services available to student enrolled in a home instruction program for student otherwise eligible to attend school in that district. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD016001-1.asp
Title: S.P. 83 (LD 160)
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
P-3 |
Resolve No. 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Applies uniform fire code standards to preschool facilities located in public schools regardless of whether they are a child care center or a Head Start center. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billdocs/LD110501.doc
Title: H.P. 808 (LD 1105)
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
Postsec. |
Amends the State student grant program; provides a description of need for student financial assistance that is consistent with the definition used in federal student financial assistance programs.http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD129601-1.asp
Title: H.P. 950
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
Postsec. |
This bill increases the number of foster care residents who are eligible for a tuition waiver at a state postsecondary educational institution from 25 to 35 new students per year in each year. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billdocs/LD032601.doc
Title: S.P. 108 (LD 326)
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
(House Resolve) Directs the Department of Education to develop standards for outdoor playground surfaces.
Title: H.P. 458
Source: StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Clarifies that the Maine Juvenile Code does not preclude a law enforcement officer or criminal justice agency from sharing information pertaining to a juvenile with superintendents or principals for purposes of school safety, order and discipline, or to prevent harm to persons or property. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billdocs/LD042701.doc
Title: S.P. 145 (LD 427)
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Exempts from school bus inspection standards vehicles vehicles designed to carry 11 or more people, including the driver, driver, that meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards applicable to school buses, Medicaid-enrolled transportation providers who perform transportation services described in the MaineCare Benefits Manual and transit districts or corporations that provide public transportation on prescribed routes at prescribed times.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billdocs/LD101801.doc
Title: H.P. 739 (LD 1018)
Source: StateNet |
Special Education |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Concerns the Baxter Compensation Program; addresses confidentiality of claimants and families of victims of abuse at Baxter School for the Deaf; specifies information to be contained in public record; concerns appeal process and new information consideration; concerns administrative budget oversight of the program; prohibits reduction of award by appeal board. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD076801-1.asp
Title: S.P. 263 (LP 768)
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Allows teacher who received retirement benefits under state retirement system who returned to covered service to rejoin the system. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD153501-1.asp
Title: S.P. 514 (LD 1535)
Source: StateNet |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
States that if an approved reapportionment plan requires a reduction in the number of directors (board members) to be elected in a municipality, the reduction should preferably be achieved through the voluntary resignation of one or more of the directors. If this does not occur, and the reapportionment plan is approved and filed less than 30 days before the annual municipal election, the reduction must take place through a reduction in the number of open positions to be filled in the annual municipal election. If neither of these occurs, all of the remaining existing directors must choose by lot which directors' terms must end. http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/externalsiteframe.asp?ID=280008673&LD=527&Type=1
Title: H.P. 412
Source: janus.state.me.us |
Postsecondary Faculty |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
Postsec. |
Extends the jurisdiction of the Maine Labor Relation Board to Employees of Public Higher Education Institutions who have been employed less than six months. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billdocs/LD006801.doc
Title: H.P. 76 (LD 68)
Source: StateNet |
Students |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Concerns child labor laws; provides that a minor shall not be employed more than 60 hours in any week, and from 10 to 12 hours in any day, when school is not in session. Increases from 20 to 40 the number of hours per week, and from 4 to 8 the number of hours per day, that a minor may work when school is in session. Changes from 6 to 13 the number of consecutive days a minor enrolled in school may work. Increases from 18 to 20 the number of hours a week a minor under 16 may work when school is in session. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/LD.asp?LD=6
Title: H.P. 13
Source: www.mainelegislature.org |
Finance--Facilities |
Rule Adoption 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Proposes rules governing the application and approval process for projects to be considered through the School Revolving Renovation Fund, Facility Maintenance and Capital Improvement Programs, Maine School Facilities Finance Program, and lease and lease/purchase of temporary interim space and small nonadministrative space. ftp://ftp.state.me.us/pub/sos/cec/rcn/apa/05/071/071c064.doc
Title: 05-071-64, 94-376-64
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Rule Adoption 03/2003 |
Postsec. |
Implements the NextGen Scholarship programs. Eliminates all references to the Procedures and Guidelines. Makes other minor changes. http://www.state.me.us/sos/cec/rcn/apa/notices/030503.htm
Title: 94-457-611
Source: StateNet |
No Child Left Behind |
Active 09/2002 |
P-12 |
2002 Consolidated Plan (submitted 6/12/02 and amended 6/28/02 and 8/29/02):http://www.state.me.us/education/nclb/state%20app/summary.htm
Source: Maine Department of Education Web site |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Signed into law 08/2002 |
Postsec. |
Act establishes the Maine Higher Education Attainment Council; establishes that the council should consist of 16 members to be appointed by the Governor, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives; lists membership requirements including term length, requirements for quorum; establishes powers and duties of the council including developing a long-term plan and recommendations for increasing the level of educational attainment in the state, monitoring progress on plan, and requiring council to develop plan to implement recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission on Postsecondary Education Attainment. Council will report to the legislature on a yearly basis.
Title: SB 767
Source: Lexis |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 04/2002 |
P-12 |
Defines comprehensive family life education; directs the Commissioner of Education to take action to implement K-12 comprehensive family life education programs, contracting with local family planning services. Includes parental opt-out. http://janus.state.me.us/legis/bills/billdocs/LD160305.doc
Title: H.B. 1180
Source: /janus.state.me.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 04/2002 |
P-12 |
Establishes a tax credit for individuals or corporations that provide a contribution that promotes the postsecondary educational attainment of State residents or that promotes the migration of college-educated persons to work in the State.
Title: H.B. 1655
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 04/2002 |
P-12 |
Authorizes a $28,500,000 General Fund bond issue to capitalize the School Revolving Renovation Fund, to provide grants to public educational institutions to install sprinkler systems in dormitories, to renovate the Harlow Office Building and to provide a center for homeless teenagers. http://janus.state.me.us/legis/bills/billdocs/LD212801.doc
Title: H.B. 1628
Source: janus.state.me.us |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 04/2002 |
P-12 |
Establishes a timeline for a transition to a new school funding approach in order to provide all children with an equitable opportunity to access the resources necessary to achieve learning standards; defines essential programs and services, including elements funded on a per-pupil basis; defines major cost components to be determined on other than a per-pupil basis; provides for targeted grants.
Title: H.B. 1602
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Governance--School Boards |
Public Law No. 04/2002 |
P-12 |
Relates to the local governance of school administrative units; clarify that the primary role and responsibilities of school board members are to serve as policymakers for the school administrative units and that the role and responsibilities of school superintendents are to serve as education leaders and administrators for the school administrative units.
Title: S.B. 791
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 04/2002 |
P-12 |
Resolve authorizing emergency adoption of legislation regarding immunization of children. http://janus.state.me.us/legis/bills/billdocs/LD212401.doc
Title: H.B. 1624
Source: janus.state.me.us |
International Benchmarking |
Signed into law 04/2002 |
P-12 |
Appropriates one-time funds for student scholarships to the Seeds of Peace International Camp. http://janus.state.me.us/legis/bills/billdocs/LD193102.doc
Title: H.B. 1434
Source: janus.state.me.us |
P-3 Governance |
Signed into law 04/2002 |
P-12 |
Changes the day care center references to child care facility; changes the definition of children in the laws governing nursery schools, which is based on the age of a child; changes the definition of day care centers and nursery school; removes provision in the laws governing nursery schools regarding communicable diseases, ratios, and administration of medications. http://janus.state.me.us/legis/bills/billdocs/LD202701.doc
Title: H.B. 1523
Source: janus.state.me.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 04/2002 |
Postsec. |
Establishes the Higher Education Council to develop a long-term plan for increasing the level of educational attainment in the State and to provide a unified voice for higher education.
Title: S.B. 767
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2002 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Creates the Maine Black Bears Scholarship Fund for need-based scholarships to attend the University of Maine; authorizes the distribution of Maine Black Bears Licence Plates, $10 from the sale of which is to go to the Maine Black Bears Scholarship Fund. http://janus.state.me.us/legis/bills/billdocs/LD200901.doc
Title: H.B. 1506
Source: janus.state.me.us |
Postsecondary Finance |
Enacted-interim 04/2002 |
Postsec. |
An act to give the Maine Technical College System limited revenue bonding authority. Aggregate principal of outstanding bonds not to exceed $35,000,000 at any one time not including temporary and renewal notes.
Title: HB 1362
Source: Lexis |
School Safety |
Signed into law 04/2002 |
P-12 |
Mandates that school boards include in the required district-wide student code of conduct policies regarding the removal from classrooms or school buses of students who make threats of death or physical harm to others. http://janus.state.me.us/legis/bills/billtexts/LD197503-1.asp
Title: H.B. 1474
Source: janus.state.me.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Public Law No. 04/2002 |
P-12 |
Provides that a municipality may use a school building transferred to it by a school board for municipal purposes in the condition that the building was in on the date of the transfer as long as work performed by the municipality on the building is limited to repairs and minor alterations.
Title: H.B. 1615
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 04/2002 |
P-12 |
Preserves retirement benefits for teachers who serve in the Legislature; provides that any Legislator who is a public school teacher or an employee of the Vocational-Technical Institute System who takes a leave of absence in order to serve as a Legislator may make contributions to the State Retirement System on the amount that represents the difference between the salary earned as a Legislator and the salary of a teacher. http://janus.state.me.us/legis/bills/billdocs/LD200601.doc
Title: H.B. 1503
Source: janus.state.me.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 04/2002 |
P-12 |
Includes in state retirement system statutes an employee responsible for, in addition to duties for which certification is required, either the setup, maintenance or upgrading of a school computer system the use of which is to assist in the introduction of new learning to students or to provide orientation and training to school faculty on the use of the computer system for educational purposes.
Title: H.B. 1686
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 04/2002 |
P-12 |
Addresses the unfunded liability of the state retirement system and the equity of retirement benefits for state employees and teachers. http://janus.state.me.us/legis/bills/billdocs/LD219901.doc
Title: S.B. 819
Source: janus.state.me.us |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 03/2002 |
P-12 |
Removes the cap on the fees charged by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services for services associated with a school construction project; requires the Department of Education to report on the results of a survey to access the level of satisfaction with the school construction service of the bureau.
Title: H.B. 373
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Governance |
Signed into law 03/2002 |
P-12 |
Creates a study group to study school administrative unit organization; provides that the group shall study the history of formation of districts, participation in regional collaboratives, recommend incentives to be used to promote organizational characteristics that can be demonstrated to support high levels of student outcomes and efficient use of resources, and maintain school administrative units that exhibit organizational characteristics.
Title: S.B. 733
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Leadership |
Signed into law 03/2002 |
P-12 |
Amends the laws regarding the certification for school administrators and teachers by incorporating performance standards for provisional teacher certification; allows the State Board of Education to determine competency areas for school administrators.
Title: H.B. 1517
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 03/2002 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Directs the Board of Trustees of the University of Maine to establish a review of the doctorate level educational opportunities provided through the university's system.
Title: H.B. 414
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Signed into law 03/2002 |
P-12 |
Increases the number of construction-manager-at-risk alternative delivery pilot projects for school construction; increases the maximum project cost of projects eligible for alternative delivery
Title: H.B. 1426
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Public Law No. 03/2002 |
P-12 |
Terminates the Educational Leave Advisory Board; declares the educational leave program for state employees to be in public interest.
Title: H.B. 1616
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Public Law No. 03/2002 |
P-12 |
Relates to group health plans for retirees who return to work under certain circumstances.
Title: H.B. 1469
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
P-3 |
Signed into law 02/2002 |
P-12 |
Establishes as major substantive rules sections establishing and maintaining a statewide network that ensures the provisions of childfind for families and children from birth to 5 and rules governing the eligibility for and delivery of free appropriate public education for children with disabilities from birth to 5 years of age and their families.
Title: H.B. 1476
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 02/2002 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Relates to the State Grant Program; amends the provisions of the Student Incentive Scholarship Program administered by the Finance Authority by eliminating the need that the applicant be eligible for a Pell Grant to receive an award under the program.
Title: S.B. 732
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Facilities |
Approved by voters 11/2001 |
P-12 |
Private and Special Law No. 40., (LD 1707) Authorizes a bond issue to capitalize the School Revolving Renovation Fund for repairs and improvements in public school facilities to address health, safety and compliance deficiencies, general renovation needs and learning space upgrades.
Approved by voters November 2001.
Title: S.B. 549/ Bond Issue Question 4
Source: Maine Secretary of State Web site |
Background Checks |
Vetoed 06/2001 |
P-12 |
(LD 1090) Repeals the law requiring background checks and fingerprinting of school employees; corrects cross-references to the repealed provisions.
Title: S.B. 322
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 403., (LD 291)Requires that Maine Native American history and culture be taught in all elementary and secondary schools; requires the Department of Education to include Maine Native American history and culture in the system of learning results; establishes a commission to investigate and recommend how the Department will accomplish this task.
Title: H.B. 255
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Public Law No. 363., (LD 1399) Delegates the requirement that at least one third of all federal funds received by the State under the federal Workforce Investment Act be used for education and skills training; requires that at least 15% of funds be used for support services such as child care and transportation for individuals enrolled in an education or training program; requires the Department of Labor to provide information related to expenditures of funds and program outcomes.
Title: H.B. 1042
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 373., (LD 1301) Provides an option for municipal members of a school district to design a cost-sharing formula; requires a cost-sharing plan to be approved by a referendum of the voters in each municipality in the district; provides for professional facilitation services if local entities cannot agree on cost-sharing changes; requires the Department of Education to provide assistance on cost-sharing to districts and municipalities.
Title: H.B. 977
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 447., (LD 1214)Encourages the use of locally grown foods in school food services programs; provides that the State will match a portion of the monies a school administrative unit spends on local produce for food service programs; specifies that such food be produce or minimally processed food purchased from a farmer or farm coop.
Title: S.B. 376
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Resolve No. 67., (LD 1797) Creates the Blue Ribbon Commission on Postsecondary Educational Attainment.
Title: S.B. 616
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
Postsec. |
Public Law No. 459., (LD 1043) Establishes the Maine Scholarship Foundations and the Maine Education Scholarship Endowment Fund to provide eligible State residents with the financial resources to access postsecondary education opportunities and achieve higher levels od educational attainment; appropriates funds to the Senator George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute.
Title: H.B. 799
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
Postsec. |
Public Law No. 381., (LD 1757) Provides for the usage of funds in the State College Savings Program to include matching grants to encourage saving for higher education to any class of participants and to provide scholarship funds for individuals attending institutions of higher education in the State; clarifies the designation of successor participants and beneficiaries for such savings accounts.
Title: S.B. 579
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 442., (LD 1255) Repeals the current law that establishes a cap on the earnings of retired members of the State Retirement System who return to work as State employees or teachers; allows those retirees to return to covered employment and continue to receive full retirement benefits.
Title: H.B. 941
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention--At-Risk Schools |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
P-12 |
Resolve No. 48., (LD 1802) Provides for legislative review of a chapter of law regarding targeted need certificates, a major substantive rule of the Department of Education.
Title: H.B. 1345
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 127., (LD 1647)Permits school boards to carry forward general operating fund balances at the end of a school administrative unit's fiscal year to meet the needs of the school administrative unit for up to 3 years to reduce the State and local allocations for the purpose of computing State subsidy.
Title: S.B. 524
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
Postsec. |
(LD 147) Prohibits the Maine State Commission for Higher Education Facilities from accepting funds from any source that would place conditions or restrictions on the use of funds in such a way as to interfere with or otherwise restrict the academic freedoms of state colleges and universities.
Title: H.B. 136
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
(LD 1563)Amends immunization requirements for school children and children in child care to ensure consistent wording and requirements for the parents of children seeking to exempt their child from 1 or more immunization; shifts the specific disease and vaccine-specific requirements to rulemaking instead of statute.
Title: H.B. 1163
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
High School |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
(LD 21) Allows a local school board the option of granting a diploma to a veteran of World War II who was honorably discharged even though the veteran does not meet the graduation requirements.
Title: H.B. 21
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
P-3 |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
(LD 1002) Authorizes the Department of Human Services to adopt rules for the safe operation of nursery schools.
Title: S.B. 291
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
Postsec. |
Resolve No. 21., (LD 550)Grants a tuition grant to a National Guard member who attends a private college or university of up to 100% of the private college or university tuition or the tuition at a State postsecondary education institution, whichever is less.
Title: H.B. 429
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Online Instruction |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
Postsec. |
(Public Law No. 87., 95 LD 967) Provides an exemption to the immunization laws for students who enroll in distance education programs offered by colleges, universities, technical colleges and schools for the health professions; provides this exemption applies only in cases in which the student does not attend any classes or programs at a campus in the State.
Title: H.B. 748
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 100., 96 (LD 988) Provides for the observance of Veterans' Week each year in each political subdivision, school system and school administrative district in the State.
Title: S.B. 277
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Relates to hostile, aggressive or threatening behavior toward a student, teacher, administrator or other staff member in the crime of disturbing schools; provides that if a person damages or destroys a school building that person commits a civil offense and damages are doubled; realtes to the procedures for the collection of moneys from parents when a student damages school property.
Title: S.B. 113
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 67., and 69 (LD 269) Requires the Department of Education to develop procedures for school administrative units to use developing local responses to bomb threats, to develop school bomb threat policies and protocols and to include specific information regarding same in student handbooks.
Title: H.B. 232
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Resolve No. 9., (LD 22) Provides for legislative review of the regulations of the Department of Education governing timeout rooms, therapeutic restraints and aversives in public schools and approved private schools.
Title: H.B. 22
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 156., (LD 1479) Amends current law to allow school year employees to receive their pay over a period of either 10 or 12 months as determined by a written agreement between the employees and the school administrative unit.
Title: H.B. 1110
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 192.,& 181 (LD 1754)Relates to the Maine State Retirement System; establishes the Consumer Price Index as the benchmark for the cost-of-living adjustments; establishes standards for the determination by the Board of Trustees of the Maine State Retirement System; allows service credit in order to qualify for a service retirement benefit under a special plan to a State employee, teacher member or participating local district member interrupting employment for any services.
Title: S.B. 576
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Technology |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 95., (LD 1463) Eliminates reference to the Centers for Innovation from the charter of the Maine Science and Technology Foundation updates the charter to include duties involving the Maine Technology Institute and the Maine Technology Capacity Fund; revises the Centers for Innovation Program; establishes the program in its own chapter in the Maine Revised Statutes.
Title: H.B. 1094
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 38., 39 (LD 346) Clarifies that communities that are part of a school administrative district or other single or multicommunity school district may deposit the proceeds of school impact fees in a trust fund to be used to pay their proportionate share of anticipate school capital costs.
Title: H.B. 268
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 05/2000 |
P-12 |
(LD 1623)Establishes the Children in Need of Services Program; provides for a safety plan consisting of housing, medical care, nutritional care and education for children 15 years of age and under who have been determined to be in need of supervision.
Title: H.B. 1138
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 05/2000 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 791., (LD 2490)Requires the State to pay the costs of the fingerprinting and background checks of current and prospective elementary and secondary school employees.
Title: S.B. 951
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 05/2000 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 789, (LD 870); Improves public school safety and learning environments; allows a municipality to expend funds for school construction or renovation if expenditure is approved by the voters at an election; requires Board of Education and Department of Education to conduct a study and create a plan to address the needs for improved and new facilities for projects low on the priority list; provides extra renovation funds to capitalize on a revolving fund; carries over unused funds.
Title: S.B. 298
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Special Education |
Signed into law 05/2000 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 775, (LD 2690); Changes the governance system and the educational programs of the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf; amends the structure of the school board; relates to funding the programs authorized by the school; permits the school board greater budget flexibility; allows the school board to authorize and operate satellite school programs; establishes a limit on the number of students enrolled in the residential program at Mackworth Island.
Title: H.B. 1946
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 05/2000 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 783., (LD 2505) Lowers eligibility standards for child development students to apply to the Educators for the Maine Program; allows child development students to fulfill Educators for Maine Program return service requirements by working in a child care facility; provides for tuition assistance and loans.
Title: S.B. 963
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
Signed into law 05/2000 |
P-12 |
Resolve No. 130., (LD 2327) Establishes a commission to study teacher recruitment and retention.
Title: H.B. 1658
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Adult Basic Education |
Signed into law 04/2000 |
P-12 |
(LD 2492)Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to increase the state subsidy for adult education.
Title: H.B. 1778
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
Signed into law 04/2000 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 683, (LD 2027); Encourages public school alternative education programs; requires school alliance to set consistent standards for regional public school choice programs; provides that shared service agreements between schools may include alternative education programs; establishes alternative education as a component of secondary technical education; establishes a stakeholders group to study the possibility of Federal charter school grant funds.
Title: H.B. 1420
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Background Checks |
Vetoed 04/2000 |
P-12 |
(LD 2540)Proposes to effect current law that requires teachers and other school employees in public schools or approved private schools to undergo fingerprinting and state and national criminal history record checks.
Title: S.B. 987
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Curriculum--Language Arts--Writing/Spelling |
Signed into law 04/2000 |
P-12 |
(LD 2414); Supports and expands the Maine Writing Project to improve student achievement in writing, which is a major feature of the State educational assessment.
Title: H.B. 1708
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 04/2000 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 710., (LD 1346) Establishes an optional new school budget cost center format and budget approval process; authorizes school boards to transfer up to 5% of the school budget between cost centers without voter approval; allows district voters to add a 2nd step to the process for finalization of the school budget; directs the State Board of Education to develop a model school budget procedure.
Title: H.B. 949
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 04/2000 |
P-12 |
(LD 1261); Requires unlicensed school personnel to be trained before administering medication to students in Maine's public schools and approved private schools.
Title: S.B. 424
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges |
Signed into law 04/2000 |
Postsec. |
(LD 2519) Increases access to the State's Technical College System; provides funding to add additional students systemwide; addresses the State Technical College System's need to provide students with the ability to take courses and do research over the internet.
Title: S.B. 973
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 04/2000 |
P-12 |
(LD 1305)Creates a grant program within the Department of Education to encourage conflict resolution education programs in public elementary and secondary schools; allows peer mediation programs and may be directed at students and teachers, administrators and other staff.
Title: H.B. 928
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Special Education |
Signed into law 04/2000 |
P-12 |
(LD 1620)Allows any person who was a student at the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf between 1974 and 1998 to bring an action against the school notwithstanding any provision of the law limiting the time period for which an action may be commenced or concerning the Maine Tort Claims Act.
Title: H.B. 1135
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Special Education |
Signed into law 04/2000 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 721., (LD 2593)Extends the use of emotional disability as an identifying factor in the identification of exceptional children; directs the Department of Education to study the impact of the use of emotional and behavioral indicators and the likely impact of the use of developmental delay categories in the identification of exceptional children.
Title: H.B. 1858
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Special Populations--Corrections Education |
Signed into law 04/2000 |
P-12 |
(LD 2608) Requires juvenile correctional educational programs and schools to receive annual approval by the Department of Education; amends the membership, duties, meeting and reporting requirements of the policy review council; establishes a task force to study educational programs at juvenile correctional facilities.
Title: H.B. 1872
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 04/2000 |
P-12 |
(LD 2301); Creates a new certificate authorizing a person to teach in an area determined to be a teacher shortage area.
Title: S.B. 886
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 03/2000 |
P-12 |
Public Law No. 595, (LD 1933); Allows a juvenile's school to disseminate information about the juvenile to the court and a criminal justice agency under certain conditions; provides that information remains confidential and may not be further disseminated.
Title: S.B. 687
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 03/2000 |
P-12 |
(LD 2387); Amends the qualifying examination for initial teacher certification.
Title: S.B. 937
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |