20-A M.R.S. § 5001-A — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 211 / Section 5001-A
20-A §5001-A. Compulsory attendance
Status: in_force

Attendance at school shall be required of persons in the State as follows. [PL 1983, c. 806, §49 (NEW).]

1. Requirement. Persons 6 years of age or older and under 17 years of age shall attend a public day school during the time it is in regular session. [PL 2019, c. 508, §6 (AMD).]

1-A. Attendance of persons 5 years of age or older and under 6 years of age. A person 5 years of age or older and under 6 years of age who is enrolled in and who has not withdrawn from a public day school is required to attend that school during the time it is in session. [PL 2019, c. 508, §7 (AMD).]

2. Exceptions. Attendance at school shall not be required of the following: A. A person who graduates from high school before that person's 17th birthday; [PL 1983, c. 806, §49 (NEW).] B. A person who has: (1) Reached the age of 15 years or completed the 9th grade; (2) Permission to leave school from that person's parent; (3) Been approved by the principal for a suitable program of work and study or training; (4) Permission to leave school from the school board or its designee; and (5) Agreed in writing with that person's parent and the school board or its designee to meet annually until that person's 17th birthday to review that person's educational needs. When the request to be excused from school has been denied pursuant to this paragraph, the student's parent may appeal to the commissioner; or [PL 2025, c. 390, Pt. A, §32 (AMD).] C. [PL 2003, c. 688, Pt. H, §2 (RP); PL 2003, c. 688, Pt. H, §3 (AFF).] D. A person who has matriculated and is attending an accredited, post-secondary, degree-granting institution as a full-time student. An exception to attendance in public school under this paragraph must be approved by the commissioner. [PL 2025, c. 390, Pt. A, §33 (AMD).] E. [PL 2025, c. 390, Pt. A, §34 (RP).] [PL 2025, c. 390, Pt. A, §§32-34 (AMD).]

3. Alternatives to attendance at public day school. Alternatives to attendance at public day school are as follows. A person 5 years of age or older and under 6 years of age is not required to meet the requirements of this subsection. A. Equivalent instruction alternatives are as follows. (1) A person is excused from attending a public day school if the person obtains equivalent instruction in: (a) A private school approved for attendance purposes pursuant to section 2901 ; (b) A private school recognized by the department as providing equivalent instruction; (c-1) A home instruction program that complies with the requirements of subparagraph (4); or (d) Any other manner arranged for by the school board and approved by the commissioner. (2) A student is credited with attendance at a private school only if a certificate showing the name, residence and attendance of the person at the school, signed by the person or persons in charge of the school, has been filed with the school officials of the administrative unit in which the student resides. (4) The following provisions govern a home instruction program. (a) The student's parent or guardian shall provide a written notice of intent to provide home instruction simultaneously to the school officials of the administrative unit in which the student resides and to the commissioner within 10 calendar days of the beginning of home instruction. The notice must contain the following information: (i) The name, signature and address of the student's parent or guardian; (ii) The name and age of the student; (iii) The date the home instruction program will begin; (iv) A statement of assurance that indicates the home instruction program will provide at least 175 days annually of instruction and will provide instruction in the following subject areas: English and language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, health education, library skills, fine arts and, in at least one grade from grade 6 to 12, Maine studies. At one grade level from grade 7 to 12, the student will demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers; and (v) A statement of assurance that indicates that the home instruction program will include an annual assessment of the student's academic progress that includes at least one of the forms of assessment described in division (b). (b) On or before September 1st of each subsequent year of home instruction, the student's parent or guardian shall file a letter with the school officials of the administrative unit in which the student resides and the commissioner stating the intention to continue providing home instruction and enclose a copy of one of the following forms of annual assessment of the student's academic progress: (i) A standardized achievement test administered through the administrative unit in which the student resides or through other arrangements approved by the commissioner. If the test is administered through the administrative unit in which the student resides, that administration must be agreed to by the school officials of the administrative unit prior to submission of the written notice of intent to provide home instruction; (ii) A test developed by the school officials of the administrative unit in which the student resides appropriate to the student's home instruction program, which must be agreed to by the school officials of the administrative unit prior to submission of the written notice of intent to provide home instruction; (iii) A review and acceptance of the student's progress by an identified individual who holds a current Maine teacher's certificate; (iv) A review and acceptance of the student's progress based on, but not limited to, a presentation of an educational portfolio of the student to a local area homeschooling support group whose membership for this purpose includes a currently certified Maine teacher or administrator; or (v) A review and acceptance of the student's progress by a local advisory board selected by the superintendent of the administrative unit in which the student resides that includes one administrative unit employee and 2 home instruction tutors. For the purpose of this subdivision, a "home instruction tutor" means the parent, guardian or other person who acts or will act as a primary teacher of the student in the home instruction program. This provision must be agreed to by the school officials of the administrative unit in which the student resides prior to submission of the written notice of intent to provide home instruction. (c) Dissemination of any information filed under this subparagraph is governed by the provisions of section 6001 ; the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 United States Code, Section 1232g (2002); and the federal Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, 20 United States Code, Sections 1401 to 1487 (2002), except that "directory information," as defined by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, is confidential and is not subject to public disclosure unless the parent or guardian specifically permits disclosure in writing or a judge orders otherwise. Copies of the information filed under this subparagraph must be maintained by the student's parent or guardian until the home instruction program concludes. The records must be made available to the commissioner upon request. (d) If the home instruction program is discontinued, students of compulsory school age must be enrolled in a public school or an equivalent instruction alternative as provided for in this paragraph. The receiving school shall determine the placement of the student. At the secondary level, the principal of the receiving school shall determine the value of the prior educational experience toward meeting the standards of the system of learning results as established in section 6209 . [PL 2019, c. 508, §8 (AMD).] B. A person may be excused from attendance at a public day school pursuant to section 5104‑A or section 8605 . [PL 1989, c. 415, §14 (AMD).] C. [PL 1991, c. 622, Pt. G, §3 (RP); PL 1991, c. 622, Pt. G, §§4, 31, 33 (AFF).] [PL 2019, c. 508, §8 (AMD).]

4. Excusable absence. A person's absence is excused when the absence is for the following reasons: A. Personal health, including the person's physical, mental and behavioral health; [PL 2019, c. 562, §2 (AMD).] B. An appointment with a health professional that must be made during the regular school day; [PL 1983, c. 806, §49 (NEW).] C. Observance of a recognized religious holiday when the observance is required during the regular school day; [PL 1983, c. 806, §49 (NEW).] D. A family emergency; [PL 2007, c. 451, §3 (AMD).] E. A planned absence for a personal or educational purpose that has been approved; or [PL 2007, c. 451, §4 (AMD).] F. Education disruption resulting from homelessness, unplanned psychiatric hospitalization, unplanned hospitalization for a medical emergency, foster care placement, youth development center placement or some other out-of-district placement that is not otherwise authorized by either an individualized education plan or other education plan or a superintendent's agreement developed in accordance with section 5205, subsection 2 . This paragraph does not apply to a student who is out of school for 10 or more consecutive school days as a result of a planned absence for a reason such as a family event or a medical absence for planned hospitalization or recovery. [PL 2007, c. 451, §5 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 562, §2 (AMD).]

5. Adult responsibility. An adult having a person of compulsory school age under that adult's control shall cause the person to attend school as provided in this section. [PL 1989, c. 415, §15 (AMD).]

6. Noncompliance. [PL 1989, c. 415, §16 (RP).]

7. Purpose. Compulsory education is essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the people and the continued prosperity of our society and our nation. Maintaining regular student attendance is necessary to achieve the goal of an educated citizenry. Public schools should ensure the rights of access for all school-age persons to an appropriate educational opportunity and, when necessary, should develop alternatives to regular school curricula for those children and youth at risk of becoming dropouts and those who may have left school. [PL 1989, c. 415, §17 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 4725 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 207-A / Section 4725
20-A §4725. Career and technical instruction
Status: in_force

Each school administrative unit operating a secondary school shall provide career and technical instruction through a career and technical education center or region in accordance with chapter 313 . [RR 1991, c. 2, §59 (COR); PL 2003, c. 545, §§5,6 (REV).]
20-A M.R.S. § 9004 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 4 / Chapter 319 / Section 9004
20-A §9004. Live Fire Service Training Facilities Fund
Status: in_force

1. Fund established. The Live Fire Service Training Facilities Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established under the Maine Fire Service Institute within the Maine Community College System as a nonlapsing fund to provide funds to municipalities for the construction and repair or replacement of regional live fire service training facilities in the State. [PL 2017, c. 444, §3 (NEW).]

2. Grant program. The Maine Fire Protection Services Commission, referred to in this section as "the commission" and established pursuant to Title 5, section 12004‑J, subsection 12 , shall establish criteria to award grants to municipalities from the fund, including a requirement that proposals be fully designed and approved by a licensed professional engineer as defined in Title 32, section 1251, subsection 4 . The commission may adopt rules to implement this subsection. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2017, c. 444, §3 (NEW).]

3. Procedure. Municipalities may apply to the commission for grants. The commission shall evaluate each application pursuant to the criteria developed in subsection 2 and, to the extent funds are available, shall award grants from the fund to support the construction and repair or replacement of regional live fire service training facilities. [PL 2017, c. 444, §3 (NEW).]

4. Payment of grants. Upon the award of a grant by the commission, the commission shall direct the Maine Fire Service Institute to make the payment of the grant award to the municipality from the fund. [PL 2017, c. 444, §3 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 15691-A — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 7 / Chapter 606-B / Section 15691-A
20-A §15691-A. Municipal assessment paid to a regional school unit
Status: in_force

Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, this section applies to municipal assessments paid to a regional school unit. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §32 (NEW).]

1. Presentation of assessment schedule. The assessment schedule based on the budget approved at a regional school unit budget meeting must be presented to the treasurer of each municipality that is a member of the regional school unit. The assessment schedule must include each member municipality's share of the school administrative unit's contribution to the total cost of funding public education from kindergarten to grade 12 as described in section 15688 and the school administrative unit's contribution to debt service for non-state-funded school construction projects and additional local funds for school purposes under section 15690 . [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §32 (NEW).]

2. Municipal treasurer's payment schedule. The treasurer of the member municipality, after being presented with the assessment schedule under subsection 1 , shall forward 1/12 of that member municipality's share to the treasurer of the regional school unit on or before the 20th day of each month of the fiscal year. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §32 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 12522 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 428-A / Section 12522
20-A §12522. Maine Engineers Recruitment and Retention Program
Status: in_force

The Maine Engineers Recruitment and Retention Program is established to provide assistance to eligible employers seeking to recruit engineers for full-time employment in this State by providing financial assistance to eligible individuals who fill such positions. [PL 2003, c. 710, §2 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 6101 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 221 / Section 6101
20-A §6101. Record of directory information
Status: in_force

The following provisions apply to employee records. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

1. Contents. A school administrative unit shall maintain a record of directory information on each employee as follows: A. Name; [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] B. Dates of employment; [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] C. Regular and extracurricular duties, including all courses taught in that school administrative unit; [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] D. Post-secondary educational institutions attended; [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] E. Major and minor fields of study recognized by the post-secondary institutions attended; and [PL 1997, c. 452, §1 (AMD).] F. Degrees received and dates awarded. [PL 1997, c. 452, §1 (AMD).] G. [PL 1997, c. 452, §2 (RP).] [PL 1997, c. 452, §§1, 2 (AMD).]

2. Access. The following provisions apply to access of employee records. A. The record of directory information shall be available for inspection and copying by any person. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] B. Except as provided in paragraph A , information in any form relating to an employee or applicant for employment, or to the employee's immediate family, must be kept confidential if it relates to the following: (1) All information, working papers and examinations used in the examination or evaluation of all applicants for employment; (2) Medical information of any kind, including information pertaining to diagnosis or treatment of mental or emotional disorders; (3) Performance evaluations, personal references and other reports and evaluations reflecting on the quality or adequacy of the employee's work or general character compiled and maintained for employment purposes; (4) Credit information; (5) Except as provided by subsection 1 , the personal history, general character or conduct of the employee or any member of the employee's immediate family; (6) Complaints, charges of misconduct, replies to complaints and charges of misconduct and memoranda and other materials pertaining to disciplinary action; (7) Social security number; (8) The teacher action plan and support system documents and reports maintained for certification purposes; and (9) Criminal history record information obtained pursuant to section 6103 . [PL 1995, c. 547, §4 (AMD).] C. Any written record of a decision involving disciplinary action taken with respect to an employee by the governing body of the school administrative unit shall not be included within any category of confidential information set forth in paragraph B . [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] [PL 1995, c. 547, §4 (AMD).]

3. Commissioner's review. The commissioner shall have access to any of the records or documents designated as confidential in this section for carrying out the commissioner's duties pursuant to section 13020 . Copies of any such records or documents shall simultaneously be provided to the employee. The commissioner shall also have access to support system documents for carrying out the commissioner's certification and support system approval duties pursuant to chapter 502 and to other confidential employee records for carrying out the commissioner's school approval duties pursuant to chapter 206 . Records of complaints, charges of misconduct, investigations and disciplinary actions may be provided by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee to the Department of Health and Human Services when an investigation of child abuse or neglect in accordance with Title 22, section 4099‑N, subsection 3 is in process. [PL 2025, c. 362, §1 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 11480 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 417-E / Section 11480
20-A §11480. Rights of participants and beneficiaries to assets of the authority
Status: in_force

Participants and beneficiaries do not have access or rights to any assets of the authority other than program fund assets credited to the account of that participant or beneficiary. An account may not be deemed a debt or obligation of the authority or of the State. [PL 1997, c. 732, §4 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 10963 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 412 / Section 10963
20-A §10963. Evidences of indebtedness
Status: in_force

The evidences of indebtedness of the university shall be legal investments in which all public officers and public bodies of the State, its political subdivisions, all municipalities and municipal subdivisions, all insurance companies and associations and other persons carrying on an insurance business, all banks, bankers, banking associations, trust companies, savings banks and savings associations, including savings and loan associations, building and loan associations, investment companies and other persons carrying on a banking business, all administrators, guardians, executors, trustees and other fiduciaries, and all other persons whatsoever who are now or may be authorized to invest in securities of the State, may properly and legally invest funds, including capital, in their control, or belonging to them. Those evidences of indebtedness are also made securities which may properly and legally be deposited with and received by all public officers and bodies of the State or any agency or political subdivision and all municipalities and public corporations for any purpose for which the deposit of securities of the State is now or may be authorized by law. [PL 1987, c. 735, §14 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1353 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 103 / Section 1353
20-A §1353. Referendum procedures
Status: in_force

The following procedures apply to a district referendum. [RR 2009, c. 2, §43 (COR).]

1. Ballots. The board of directors shall prepare and furnish the required number of ballots for carrying out the referendum as posted, including absentee ballots. It shall prepare and furnish all other materials necessary to fulfill the requirements for voting procedures. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5,8 (NEW).]

2. Voting. Voting must be held and conducted as follows. A. The voting at referenda held in towns must be held and conducted in accordance with Title 30‑A, sections 2524 and 2528 to 2532 , even though the town has not accepted the provisions of Title 30‑A, sections 2524 and 2525 . The facsimile signature of the clerk under Title 30‑A, section 2528, subsection 6, paragraph F must be that of the chair of the board of directors. If a district referendum is called to be held simultaneously with any statewide election, the voting in towns must be held and conducted in accordance with Title 21‑A , except that the duties of the Secretary of State must be performed by the board and if the statewide election is a primary election, any registered voter may vote in the referendum. The absentee voting procedure of Title 21‑A must be used, except the duties of the Secretary of State must be performed by the board. [PL 1995, c. 168, §1 (AMD).] B. The voting at referenda in cities must be held and conducted in accordance with Title 21‑A , including the absentee voting procedure, except that the duties of the Secretary of State must be performed by the board of directors and if the statewide election is a primary election, any registered voter may vote in the referendum. [PL 1995, c. 168, §1 (AMD).] [PL 1995, c. 168, §1 (AMD).]

3. Return and counting. The return and counting of votes shall be as follows. A. The municipal clerk shall, within 24 hours of the determination of the results of the vote in the municipality, certify and send to the board of directors the total number of votes cast in the affirmative and in the negative on each article. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5,8 (NEW).] B. As soon as all of the results from all of the municipalities have been returned to the board of directors, the board shall meet and compute the total number of votes cast in all of the municipalities within the district in the affirmative and in the negative on each article. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5,8 (NEW).] C. If the board of directors determines that there were more votes cast in the affirmative than in the negative, on a given article, they shall declare that the article has passed. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5,8 (NEW).] D. If the board of directors determines that the total number of votes cast on an article in the affirmative is equal to or less than those cast in the negative, they shall declare that the article has not passed. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5,8 (NEW).] E. They shall enter their declaration and computations in their records and send certified copies of it to the clerk of each municipality within the district. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5,8 (NEW).] F. If the district votes on the question of merging with another district, the secretary shall immediately file a return with the state board of the results of the vote on the question of merger. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5,8 (NEW).] [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5,8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 8607-A — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 4 / Chapter 315 / Section 8607-A
20-A §8607-A. Reimbursement rates
Status: in_force

Reimbursement for the following costs are made in the year following the incurring of those costs, and the rates are as follows. [PL 2007, c. 131, §6 (AMD).]

1. Administrative costs. Administrative costs for all adult education courses and educational activities listed in section 8601‑A, subsection 1 are reimbursed at the rate of 70% of the costs, so long as at least one basic literacy, high school completion or college transition course is offered. Administrative costs include administrative, supervisory and clerical salaries and fringe benefits as required for salaried positions; the costs of maintaining and operating citizens' advisory committees; administrative travel to state meetings related to administering adult education courses and educational activities; the costs of operating and maintaining a state-approved data collection system; and the costs of administering state-approved assessments other than the general educational development tests. [PL 2007, c. 131, §6 (AMD).]

2. Adult career and technical education courses. Adult career and technical education courses provided in compliance with this chapter, if state-funded, are reimbursed at the rate of 75% of the cost of required instructional salaries and fringe benefits for those courses and 50% of the cost of instructional supplies and textbooks used in those courses. [PL 2007, c. 131, §6 (AMD).]

3. Courses for students with disabilities and adult learners with disabilities. Courses for students with disabilities and adult learners with disabilities are reimbursed at the rate of 75% of the cost of required instructional salaries and fringe benefits for those courses and 50% of the cost of instructional supplies and textbooks used in those courses. [PL 2007, c. 131, §6 (AMD).]

4. High school completion courses that are aligned with the system of learning results. High school completion courses that are aligned with the system of learning results established in accordance with section 6209 are reimbursed at the rate of 75% of the cost of required instructional salaries and fringe benefits for those courses and 50% of the cost of instructional supplies and textbooks used in those courses. [PL 2007, c. 131, §6 (AMD).]

5. Basic literacy instruction. Basic literacy instruction is reimbursed at the rate of 75% of the cost of required instructional salaries and fringe benefits for those courses and 50% of the cost of instructional supplies and textbooks used in those courses. [PL 2007, c. 131, §6 (AMD).]

6. General adult courses. [PL 1991, c. 591, Pt. I, §4 (RP).]

7. Other administrative costs. Other administrative costs, including program promotion and related publicity, mailing and postage and telephone expenses for courses and programs described in subsections 2 to 5 , 8 and 9 , are reimbursed at the rate of 50% of these costs. The cost of interpreters for deaf students and deaf adult learners and the cost of translators for students and adult learners with limited English proficiency are reimbursed at the rate of 75% of these costs but only as a payment of last resort after the otherwise valid obligations of insurers or other 3rd parties to provide or pay for these services have been exhausted. [PL 2013, c. 167, Pt. C, §6 (AMD).]

8. College transition courses. College transition courses are reimbursed at a rate of 75% of the cost of required instructional salaries and fringe benefits for those courses and 50% of the cost of instructional supplies and textbooks used in those courses. [PL 2007, c. 131, §6 (AMD).]

9. Adult workforce training and retraining courses. Adult workforce training and retraining courses are reimbursed at the rate of 75% of the costs of required instructional salaries and fringe benefits for those courses and 50% of the cost of instructional supplies and textbooks used in those courses. [PL 2007, c. 131, §6 (NEW).]

10. Career and academic advising and counseling. Career and academic advising and counseling services costs are reimbursed at the rate of 75% of the costs of required salaries and fringe benefits for those services. [PL 2013, c. 460, §1 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 13003 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 6 / Chapter 501 / Section 13003
20-A §13003. Mandatory certification; penalty
Status: in_force

1. Certification. A person must be certified by the commissioner under this chapter or chapter 502 in order to: A. Teach in any public elementary or secondary school in the State; or [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).] B. Teach in any private school receiving basic approval under section 2901 . [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).] [PL 1983, c. 845, §3 (AMD).]

2. Penalty. A person not certified under section 13001 is barred from receiving any salary or fringe benefits if that person teaches or performs any other professional function in a public school and that person: A. Has never held the required certificate; or [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §23 (COR).] B. Knew or should have known that the person's certificate had expired. Prima facie evidence of that knowledge would be records on file in either the department or the employing school administrative unit that the person was notified that the person's certificate had lapsed or that it would be lapsing on a given date. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §23 (COR).] The person shall forfeit to the employing school administrative unit any salary or fringe benefits received in violation of this subsection. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §23 (COR).]

3. Exception. This section does not apply to teachers in secondary schools approved under section 2901, subsection 2, paragraph A . [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

4. Rules. The state board may adopt rules to carry out this section. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 10707 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 409 / Section 10707
20-A §10707. Applications
Status: in_force

1. Degree-granting authority. Applications for authority to grant degrees shall be made on application to the state board on forms provided by the commissioner. [PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §85 (AMD).]

2. Temporary use of name. Applications for temporary state board authority to use the name "community college," "college" or "university" must be made to the state board on forms provided by the commissioner. [PL 2007, c. 572, Pt. A, §13 (AMD).]

3. Courses for academic credit. Applications by out-of-state educational institutions to offer courses for academic credit shall be made to the state board on forms provided by the commissioner. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

4. Coordinated programs. Applications to offer coordinated programs shall be made to the state board on forms provided by the commissioner. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

5. Exempt status. Applications for exempt status under section 10708, subsection 2 , shall be made to the commissioner. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1511 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 103-A / Section 1511
20-A §1511. Supermajority vote to close school in the regional school unit
Status: in_force

A school operated within the regional school unit may not be closed for lack of need unless closure of the school is approved at a regular or special meeting of the regional school unit board by an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the elected membership or voting power of those serving on the regional school unit board at the time of the vote. A regional school unit must proceed in accordance with section 1512 for elementary schools or for secondary schools if the regional school unit has more than one secondary school. For regional school units with only one member municipality, section 1512 does not apply and the regional school unit must proceed in accordance with section 4102, subsection 4, paragraph B-1 . [PL 2011, c. 678, Pt. K, §1 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 2409 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 112 / Section 2409
20-A §2409. Public charter school performance framework
Status: in_force

1. Performance framework. The performance provisions of a charter contract must be based on a performance framework developed by the authorizer that sets forth the academic and operational performance indicators that will guide the authorizer's evaluations of each public charter school. [PL 2011, c. 414, §5 (NEW).]

2. Data elements. The performance framework developed under subsection 1 must include, at a minimum, indicators for: A. Student academic proficiency; [PL 2011, c. 414, §5 (NEW).] B. Student academic growth; [PL 2011, c. 414, §5 (NEW).] C. Achievement gaps in both proficiency and growth between major student subgroups; [PL 2011, c. 414, §5 (NEW).] D. Attendance; [PL 2011, c. 414, §5 (NEW).] E. Recurrent enrollment from year to year; [PL 2011, c. 414, §5 (NEW).] F. With respect to high school, postsecondary readiness; [PL 2011, c. 414, §5 (NEW).] G. Financial performance and sustainability; [PL 2011, c. 414, §5 (NEW).] H. Governing board performance and stewardship; and [PL 2011, c. 414, §5 (NEW).] I. Parent and community engagement. [PL 2011, c. 414, §5 (NEW).] [PL 2011, c. 414, §5 (NEW).]

3. Annual performance targets. Annual performance targets must be set by a public charter school in conjunction with its authorizer and must be designed to help each school meet applicable federal and state requirements and authorizer expectations. [PL 2011, c. 414, §5 (NEW).]

4. Data disaggregation. The performance framework developed under subsection 1 must require the disaggregation of all student performance data by major student subgroups. [PL 2011, c. 414, §5 (NEW).]

5. Reports for multiple campuses. With respect to a public charter school that contains multiple campuses operating under a single charter contract or overseen by a single governing board, the performance framework developed under subsection 1 must require the performance of each campus to be reported separately and must hold each campus independently accountable for its performance. [PL 2011, c. 414, §5 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 6654 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 223 / Section 6654
20-A §6654. School-based child care grants
Status: in_force

The department and the Department of Health and Human Services are authorized to provide assistance to school administrative units to assist the units in establishing school-based child care services. [PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §21 (AMD); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).]
20-A M.R.S. § 8605 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 4 / Chapter 315 / Section 8605
20-A §8605. Eligibility
Status: in_force

1. General right. The following persons may attend adult education courses offered by a unit, region or center in accordance with that entity's published program criteria and admission standards: A. A person who is not yet 17 years of age who has withdrawn from school under the provisions of section 5001‑A, subsection 2, paragraph B ; [PL 1991, c. 518, §37 (AMD).] A-1. A person who is 17 years of age or older and who is not attending a public school; or [PL 1991, c. 518, §37 (NEW).] B. [PL 1991, c. 518, §37 (RP).] C. A secondary school student enrolled in a public day school program, if that student's attendance at an adult education course is designed to supplement the student's regular day school program and if attendance is in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner. [PL 1991, c. 518, §37 (AMD).] Notwithstanding paragraphs A and A‑1 , a person who is not yet 18 years of age may be issued a state high school equivalency diploma only in compliance with the requirements established for such persons by section 257 . Priority to enroll in any adult education course offered by a unit, region or center must be given first to residents of municipalities served by that unit, region or center. [PL 1991, c. 518, §37 (AMD).]

2. Secondary school age person count; subsidy; tuition. A secondary school age person who is not attending a public school and who is enrolled in an adult education course must be treated for state subsidy and tuition purposes as follows. A. Such a person who enrolls in a semester adult education course, is counted as .1 of a student for each such course. [PL 1991, c. 518, §37 (AMD).] B. The unit in which such a person resides must be reimbursed in accordance with chapter 606‑B . [PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §29 (AMD); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).] C. If a unit in which a person resides does not offer an adult education course appropriate for such a person, the person may enroll in an adult education course offered by another unit or private school, subject to the approval of the sending unit's superintendent. The sending unit shall pay tuition to the receiving unit in an amount no greater than .1 of the present per student subsidy allocation for secondary students in the sending unit. [PL 1991, c. 518, §37 (AMD).] [PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §29 (AMD); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).]

3. Transfer student. The following provisions apply to the transfer of a student who has not attained 20 years of age from one school administrative unit to another for the purposes of state subsidy when the student is not attending a public school and is enrolled in an adult education course. A. The transferor superintendent and the transferee superintendent may approve the transfer of a student from one school administrative unit to another if they find that the transfer is in the student's best interest and the student is in agreement with that finding. If the student has not attained 18 years of age and is not an emancipated minor, the student's parent must approve of the transfer. [PL 2005, c. 151, §2 (NEW).] B. When a student has been denied a transfer under paragraph A , the student or the parent of a student who has not attained 18 years of age may request from the commissioner a review of the denial. The commissioner shall review the decision and may approve or disapprove the transfer. The commissioner's decision is final and binding. [PL 2005, c. 151, §2 (NEW).] C. A superintendent shall review annually any transfers made into or out of that superintendent's school administrative unit under this subsection. [PL 2005, c. 151, §2 (NEW).] D. For purposes of state subsidy, a student transferred under this subsection is considered a resident of the school administrative unit to which the student is transferred. The superintendent of the receiving unit shall certify to the commissioner any transfer approved under this subsection when reporting to the department the number of adult education students who have not attained 20 years of age. [PL 2005, c. 151, §2 (NEW).] [PL 2005, c. 151, §2 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 12521 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 428-A / Section 12521
20-A §12521. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2003, c. 710, §2 (NEW).]

1. Authority. "Authority" means the Finance Authority of Maine. [PL 2003, c. 710, §2 (NEW).]

2. Chief executive officer. "Chief executive officer" means the Chief Executive Officer of the Finance Authority of Maine. [PL 2003, c. 710, §2 (NEW).]

3. Eligible employer. "Eligible employer" means a business in the State that employs engineers and that demonstrates a need to fill an eligible employment position. [PL 2003, c. 710, §2 (NEW).]

4. Eligible employment position. "Eligible employment position" means a full-time position of employment with an employer located in this State, a requirement of which is a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline. [PL 2003, c. 710, §2 (NEW).]

5. Eligible individual. "Eligible individual" means a person who: A. Holds a bachelor's degree from a college of engineering within the University of Maine System; or [PL 2003, c. 710, §2 (NEW).] B. Received a high school diploma, or its equivalent, in this State and holds a bachelor's degree from a college of engineering in a state other than this State. [PL 2003, c. 710, §2 (NEW).] [PL 2003, c. 710, §2 (NEW).]

6. Program. "Program" means the Maine Engineers Recruitment and Retention Program established in section 12522 . [PL 2003, c. 710, §2 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 8454 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 4 / Chapter 313 / Section 8454
20-A §8454. Oath of office
Status: in_force

1. Oath. Before taking any official action, a newly appointed member of a cooperative board shall take the following oath or affirmation before a dedimus justice or notary public. "I (name) do swear that I will faithfully discharge to the best of my abilities the duties incumbent on me as a member of the cooperative board of Career and Technical Education Region No. according to the Constitution of Maine and laws of this State, so help me God." [RR 2003, c. 2, §63 (COR).]

2. Certificate. A member of a cooperative board shall make a certificate documenting that the member has taken the oath or affirmation and return it to the secretary of the cooperative board who shall keep it on file at the office of the cooperative board. [PL 1991, c. 518, §22 (NEW).]

3. Alternative language. If a member is conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, the word "affirm" must be used instead of the word "swear" and the words "this I do under the pains and penalty of perjury" must be used instead of the words "so help me God." [PL 1991, c. 518, §22 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 10704 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 409 / Section 10704
20-A §10704. Initial authority to confer certain degrees
Status: in_force

An educational institution may confer certain degrees if it has been granted initial authority under an Act of the Legislature. [PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §82 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 4710-A — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 207-A / Section 4710-A
20-A §4710-A. Agricultural studies
Status: in_force

1. Agricultural studies. Agricultural studies may be taught in and infused or integrated into the curriculum of public and private elementary and secondary schools. Agricultural studies may address, but need not be limited to: A. The importance of agriculture in the State's history and development; [PL 2013, c. 106, §1 (NEW).] B. The connections between the farm and daily life; [PL 2013, c. 106, §1 (NEW).] C. The economics of agriculture and its importance to the State's economy; [PL 2013, c. 106, §1 (NEW).] D. The importance of knowing where food comes from and the ecology of growing food; and [PL 2013, c. 106, §1 (NEW).] E. The importance of eating healthy food and its role in combating childhood obesity. [PL 2013, c. 106, §1 (NEW).] A school offering agricultural studies may make use of resources and materials developed and provided by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Council in accordance with Title 7, chapter 8‑D . [PL 2013, c. 106, §1 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 6102 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 221 / Section 6102
20-A §6102. Employee review
Status: in_force

The following provisions apply to employee review of records. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

1. Right to review. An employee or former employee of a school administrative unit, or the employee's representative, is entitled to review the following documents and reports: A. The employee's teacher action plan and other support system documents and reports maintained for certification purposes upon written request to the custodian designated to maintain those records; [PL 1987, c. 620, §3 (NEW).] B. The employee's personnel file on written request to the superintendent if the superintendent of schools has a personnel file for the employee; and [PL 1987, c. 620, §3 (NEW).] C. Any confidential records or documents provided to the commissioner pursuant to section 6101, subsection 3 , if the records or documents were not simultaneously provided to the employee. [PL 1987, c. 620, §3 (NEW).] [PL 1987, c. 620, §3 (AMD).]

2. Time and place. Review of support system documents or a personnel file shall take place where the file is kept during normal school hours. [PL 1987, c. 620, §3 (AMD).]

3. Contents. For purposes of this section, a "personnel file" includes, but is not limited to: A. Formal or informal employee work evaluation compiled and maintained for employment purposes; and [PL 1987, c. 620, §3 (AMD).] B. Reports relating to the employee's character, credit, work habits, compensation and benefits. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).] [PL 1987, c. 620, §3 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1309 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 103 / Section 1309
20-A §1309. Special budget meeting
Status: in_force

The school board may call a special budget meeting when it declares an emergency exists. The voters of the district may authorize the directors at a special district budget meeting to expend additional funds from the district's undesignated fund balance or to pledge the credit of the district to obtain additional money for the operation of schools. The special budget meeting must be held in accordance with sections 1302 to 1307 . [PL 1993, c. 372, §3 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 11485 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 417-E / Section 11485
20-A §11485. Rulemaking
Status: in_force

The authority shall establish rules for the implementation of the program established by this chapter, including rules establishing fees and penalties and rules necessary to ensure treatment as a qualified tuition program for federal tax purposes. Rules adopted pursuant to this section, including those setting fees and penalties, are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2021, c. 17, §9 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 3605 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 121 / Section 3605
20-A §3605. Creation of planning committee
Status: in_force

The Maine and New Hampshire commissioners of education have the power acting jointly to constitute and discharge one or more interstate school district planning committees. Each such planning committee consists of at least 2 voters from each of a group of 2 or more neighboring member districts. One of the representatives from each member district must be a member of its school board, whose term on the planning committee is concurrent with that member's term as a school board member. The term of each member of a planning committee who is not also a school board member expires on June 30th of the 3rd year following that member's appointment. The existence of any planning committee may be terminated either by vote of a majority of its members or by joint action of the commissioners. In forming and appointing members to an interstate school district planning board, the commissioners shall consider and take into account recommendations and nominations made by school boards of member districts. A member of a planning committee may not be disqualified because that member is at the same time a member of another planning board or committee created under this compact or under any other provisions of law. Any existing informal interstate school planning committee may be reconstituted as a formal planning committee in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph, and its previous deliberations adopted and ratified by the reorganized formal planning committee. Vacancies on a planning committee must be filled by the commissioners acting jointly. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §3 (COR).]
20-A M.R.S. § 3648 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 121 / Section 3648
20-A §3648. Power to acquire property of member district
Status: in_force

The articles of agreement, or an amendment thereof, may provide for the acquisition by an interstate district from a member district of all or a part of its existing plant and equipment. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 10704-A — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 409 / Section 10704-A
20-A §10704-A. Authority to confer additional degrees
Status: in_force

An educational institution initially authorized by the Legislature to offer certain degrees under section 10704 may offer additional degrees with the approval of the state board. [PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §83 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 10903 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 411 / Section 10903
20-A §10903. State agency
Status: in_force

The university shall be an instrumentality and agency of the State for the purpose for which it was established and for which it has been managed and maintained under Private and Special Law 1865, chapter 532, and related supplementary legislation. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 8904 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 4 / Chapter 318 / Section 8904
20-A §8904. Rules
Status: in_force

The commissioner shall adopt rules for the standards, approval and administration of the program fund, including the establishment of program fund requirements and specifications and procedures for the application and distribution of available funds, and to otherwise carry out the purpose of this chapter. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2005, c. 657, §1 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 12731 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 432 / Section 12731
20-A §12731. Administration and purpose
Status: in_force

The Maine Community College System in cooperation with the Department of Education is authorized to provide comprehensive administrative and financial services to the Maine Career Advantage program, to assist high school students in making a successful transition from secondary school to college and careers through a combination of scholarships, college transition assistance, career exploration and planning services and internships. The purpose of the Maine Career Advantage program, referred to in this chapter as "the program," is to assist the Maine Community College System, public secondary schools and other publicly supported educational institutions in the State by providing additional resources and support for students who have not traditionally gone on to higher education and who may need assistance in developing educational and career goals and in pursuing those goals. [PL 2005, c. 178, §2 (AMD).]

The Maine Community College System is authorized to receive and administer on behalf of the program any grants, fees, charges, appropriations and other funds from whatever source. The program shall retain its name unless and until the Board of Trustees of the Maine Community College System authorizes a change in the program name. [PL 2005, c. 178, §2 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1704 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 105 / Section 1704
20-A §1704. Sharing costs
Status: in_force

The following provisions apply to sharing district costs. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

1. Formula. A community school district shall share its costs among the member municipalities on the basis of: A. The number of resident pupils in each municipality; [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] B. The fiscal capacity of each member municipality as defined in section 15672, subsection 23 ; [PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §15 (AMD); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).] C. Any combination of paragraphs A and B ; [PL 2001, c. 375, §4 (AMD).] D. Any other formula authorized by the Legislature; or [PL 2001, c. 375, §4 (AMD).] E. Any other factor or combination of factors that may, but need not, include paragraphs A and B . [PL 2001, c. 375, §4 (NEW).] Notwithstanding paragraphs A to D , Title 30‑A, chapter 208‑A or any other provision of law, the state valuation used to calculate the shared cost for each municipality in a community school district with a municipal incentive development zone must include the increase in equalized just value of all industrial and commercial property located in the zone over the assessed value. [PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §15 (AMD); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).]

2. Amendment of formula. The procedure for amending the cost-sharing formula is as follows. A. When requested by a written petition of at least 10% of the number of voters voting for the gubernatorial candidates in the last gubernatorial election in the municipalities comprising the community school district, the district school committee shall give at least 15 days' notice to each member municipality of a meeting or meetings to determine the necessity of reconsidering the method of sharing costs. [PL 2001, c. 375, §5 (AMD).] B. Each member municipality must be represented by 2 representatives chosen by its municipal officers and one member of the district school committee chosen by the committee members from that municipality at the meeting or meetings to determine the necessity of reconsidering the method of sharing costs. A change in the method of sharing costs must be approved by a vote of a majority of those present and voting. [PL 2001, c. 375, §5 (AMD).] B-1. Prior to the first meeting of member municipalities pursuant to paragraph A , the district shall engage the services of a facilitator selected from the list maintained by the commissioner under subsection 3, paragraph C . The facilitator shall: (1) At the first meeting, review and present data and information pertaining to sharing of costs within the district. Pertinent information may include, but is not limited to, the following: (a) A description of the district's cost-sharing method, the elements involved in the calculation of each municipality's costs and a graphic depiction of the current and historic distribution of costs in the district; and (b) If withdrawal of one or more district members is under consideration, the financial and educational impact of the withdrawal; (2) Solicit and prepare a balanced summary of the concerns of municipal officials, educators and the public about the current method of cost sharing; and (3) Develop a plan of action for consideration by the municipal representatives that responds to the information collected and the concerns raised. The plan of action must include a list of expectations for the conduct of the parties, options for proceeding and an assessment of the likely success of those options. [PL 2001, c. 375, §5 (NEW).] B-2. If a majority of the representatives from each municipality meeting pursuant to paragraph A are unable to agree on a recommendation on what the cost-sharing method for the district should be, within 15 days following the last meeting a knowledgeable 3rd party must be selected in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to subsection 3, paragraph C . The district is responsible for compensating the 3rd party. The 3rd party shall: (1) Prepare a written summary of the process to date, including an assessment of the fairness, accuracy and responsiveness of the recommendations of the facilitator engaged pursuant to paragraph B‑1 ; (2) Prepare an impartial recommendation regarding changing the method of cost sharing; and (3) Present the summary and recommendations to the municipal representatives for their consideration. [PL 2001, c. 375, §5 (NEW).] B-3. At an advertised public hearing, the municipal representatives shall solicit public input on the 3rd party's recommendation for cost sharing required under paragraph B‑2 and any alternative method or methods proposed by municipal representatives. [PL 2001, c. 375, §5 (NEW).] C. Municipal approval must be in the same manner as the original formula was adopted when the community school district was formed, except that, if the proposed change is an alternative cost-sharing plan under subsection 1, paragraph E , the change must be approved by a majority of voters voting in a referendum in each municipality. The total vote cast in each of the member municipalities must be at least 20% of the number of votes cast in each of the member municipalities in the last gubernatorial election. [PL 2001, c. 375, §5 (AMD).] D. A change in the cost-sharing formula is effective at the start of the next fiscal year which starts at least 90 days after the voters have approved it. [PL 2001, c. 375, §5 (AMD).] [PL 2001, c. 375, §5 (AMD).]

3. Departmental assistance. The department shall provide the following services relating to changing district cost-sharing methods: A. The provision of information and data relating to cost sharing, including, but not limited to, a description of a district's method of cost sharing, the total assessment, the per pupil cost and mils raised for education for district members and the calculation of member costs. The information must be district-specific, comprehensive, easily understood by the general public, presented in graphic and spreadsheet format and available over the Internet. Written copies of the information described and additional information requested must be provided by the department upon receipt of a written request from a district school board or the legislative body of any municipality member of a district; [PL 2001, c. 375, §6 (NEW).] B. The provision of professional evaluation and assistance to districts and member municipalities considering changes in cost-sharing methods; and [PL 2001, c. 375, §6 (NEW).] C. The establishment and maintenance of lists of qualified, available individuals to assist districts considering changes in cost-sharing methods as follows: (1) Facilitators as required in subsection 2, paragraph B‑1 ; and (2) Knowledgeable 3rd parties as required in subsection 2, paragraph B‑2 . In establishing the lists, the department shall seek input from the Maine Municipal Association and Maine School Management Association or successor organizations. The department may adopt rules to define the qualifications, responsibilities and selection of individuals on the lists. Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II‑A . [PL 2001, c. 375, §6 (NEW).] [PL 2001, c. 375, §6 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 2955 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 117 / Section 2955
20-A §2955. Penalty for noncompliance
Status: in_force

Private schools approved for tuition purposes that have not complied with this chapter may not receive tuition payments from any school administrative unit. [PL 2005, c. 153, §5 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 20108 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 10 / Chapter 901 / Section 20108
20-A §20108. State coordination - Article 8
Status: in_force

1. Establishment or designation of board; state council. Each member state shall, through the creation of a state council or use of an existing body or board, provide for the coordination among its agencies of government, local education agencies and military installations concerning the state's participation in, and compliance with, this compact and interstate commission activities. While each member state may determine the membership of its own state council, its membership must include at least: A. The state superintendent of education; [PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).] B. The superintendent of a school district with a high concentration of military children. A member state that does not have a school district considered to contain a high concentration of children of military families may appoint a superintendent from another school district to represent local education agencies on the state council; [PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).] C. One representative from a military installation; [PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).] D. One representative each from the legislative and executive branches of government; and [PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).] E. Other offices and stakeholder groups the state council determines appropriate. [PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).]

2. Military family education liaison. The state council shall appoint a military family education liaison to assist military families and the state in facilitating the implementation of this chapter. The state council of each member state shall appoint or designate a military family education liaison to assist military families and the state in facilitating the implementation of this compact. [PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).]

3. Compact commissioner. The compact commissioner responsible for the administration and management of the state's participation in the compact must be appointed by the Governor or as otherwise determined by each member state. [PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).]

4. Ex officio members. The military family education liaison appointed pursuant to subsection 2 and the compact commissioner appointed pursuant to subsection 3 serve as ex officio members of the state council, unless either is already a full voting member of the state council. [PL 2009, c. 409, §1 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 12704 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 431 / Section 12704
20-A §12704. Tasks
Status: in_force

The tasks of the system shall include, but not be limited to: [PL 1985, c. 695, §11 (NEW).]

1. Long-term and short-term training. Providing, in close cooperation with the private sector, both the long-term education and training required for certain career and technical occupations, including occupational health and safety aspects of those occupations, and the short-term training necessary to meet specific private sector and economic development needs; [PL 2011, c. 679, §24 (AMD).]

2. Statewide and regional planning and coordination. Coordinating, on a statewide and regional basis, the planning and operation of the post-secondary career and technical education programs offered by the institutes with the planning and operation of: A. The college and university programs offered by the several other institutions of higher learning in the State; [PL 1985, c. 695, §11 (NEW).] B. The adult, continuing and community education programs overseen by the Department of Education, Division of Adult and Community Education, or its successor; [PL 1989, c. 700, Pt. A, §66 (AMD).] C. The secondary occupational and career and technical education programs overseen by the Department of Education, Division of Career and Technical Education, or its successor; [PL 1991, c. 716, §§3, 6 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 545, §§3, 6 (REV).] D. The employment and training programs funded under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Public Law 113-128, or its successor, and overseen by the Department of Labor, Bureau of Employment Services, or its successor; and [PL 2017, c. 110, §6 (AMD).] E. The economic development programs overseen by the Department of Economic and Community Development, or its successor, and other economic development programs and agencies throughout the State; [PL 1987, c. 534, Pt. B, §§11, 23 (AMD).] [PL 2017, c. 110, §6 (AMD).]

3. Job skills and flexibility. Providing each college student with the opportunity to obtain job skills and an understanding of how to adapt these skills to the requirements of an evolving technology and a changing economy; [PL 1989, c. 443, §36 (AMD).]

4. General and related education. Offering each college student a general education designed to complement specific career and technical skills and offering courses and curricula designed to teach students to think clearly, logically and analytically and to comprehend the multiple dimensions and facets of public and private issues and problems; [PL 2011, c. 679, §25 (AMD).]

5. Adult training and retraining. Providing supplementary education programs designed to upgrade the skills of persons already employed or retrain persons for new employment opportunities; [PL 1985, c. 695, §11 (NEW).]

6. Special training and education. Providing, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, remedial and special training and education programs for persons who are disadvantaged or disabled, designed to enable them to make maximum use of their aptitudes and abilities and achieve meaningful employment and economic self-sufficiency; and [PL 2021, c. 348, §26 (AMD).]

7. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program. In cooperation with the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Welfare Employment, provide, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, preparatory, educational and training programs for recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, designed to enable them to achieve meaningful employment and economic self-sufficiency. [PL 1985, c. 695, §11 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 530, Pt. A, §34 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6 (REV).]
20-A M.R.S. § 11403 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 417 / Section 11403
20-A §11403. Student Loan Insurance Fund
Status: in_force

1. Establishment. There is established the Student Loan Insurance Fund, to be used by the authority as a nonlapsing, revolving fund for carrying out this subchapter. [PL 1989, c. 698, §13 (RPR); PL 1989, c. 698, §76 (AFF).]

2. Fund; charges and credits. Charges and credits are as follows. A. All expenses of the authority for its operations under this subchapter, including interest and principal payments required by loan defaults, may be charged to the fund. [PL 1989, c. 698, §13 (RPR).] B. All amounts received by the authority under this subchapter must be credited to the fund. [PL 1989, c. 698, §13 (RPR); PL 1989, c. 698, §76 (AFF).] [PL 1989, c. 698, §13 (RPR); PL 1989, c. 698, §76 (AFF).]

3. Excess money. Money in the fund not needed currently to meet the obligations of the authority as an insurer is deposited with the authority to the credit of the fund, or may be invested as provided by law. [PL 1989, c. 698, §13 (RPR); PL 1989, c. 698, §76 (AFF).]
20-A M.R.S. § 12302 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 426 / Section 12302
20-A §12302. Maine Dental Education Loan Program
Status: in_force

1. Establishment. The Maine Dental Education Loan Program, referred to in this chapter as "the program," is established. The authority shall administer the program. Under this program, beginning in fiscal year 2000-01 and ending in fiscal year 2007-08, the chief executive officer shall award up to 3 loans or loan repayment agreements annually up to an aggregate of 12. Beginning in fiscal year 2008-09, the chief executive officer shall award up to 3 loans or loan repayment agreements annually for doctors of dental medicine and up to 6 loans or loan repayment agreements annually for dental hygienists, dental therapists, expanded function dental assistants or dental assistants and may award additional loans or loan repayment agreements annually as funds permit. As provided in subsection 3 : A. Loans are available to Maine residents enrolled in a dental school or enrolled in any accredited school in a program of study for dental hygienists, dental therapists, expanded function dental assistants or dental assistants; or [PL 2023, c. 130, §1 (AMD).] B. A loan repayment agreement is available to a person who is eligible for licensure as a doctor of dental medicine or as a dental hygienist, dental therapist, expanded function dental assistant or dental assistant in Maine and who has outstanding dental education loans. [PL 2023, c. 130, §1 (AMD).] [PL 2023, c. 130, §1 (AMD).]

2. Application process. Application must be made directly to the authority. [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. NN, §2 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. NN, §4 (AFF); PL 1999, c. 496, §2 (NEW).]

3. Eligibility. The following persons are eligible to participate in the program: A. Applicants under subsection 1, paragraph A who meet eligibility criteria established by rule of the authority, which at a minimum must require: (1) That the student be a Maine resident; (2) That the student be enrolled in a dental school or in any accredited school with a program of study for dental hygienists, dental therapists, expanded function dental assistants or dental assistants; and (3) That priority be given to a student: (a) Who previously received a loan pursuant to this section; (b) Who exhibits financial need; and (c) Who demonstrates an interest in serving an underserved population area; and [PL 2023, c. 130, §2 (AMD).] B. Applicants under subsection 1, paragraph B who meet eligibility criteria established by rule of the authority, which at a minimum must require: (1) That the applicant be eligible for licensure to practice dental medicine or as a dental hygienist, dental therapist, expanded function dental assistant or dental assistant in Maine; (2) That the applicant have outstanding dental education loans; and (3) That the applicant be willing to serve an underserved population area. [PL 2023, c. 130, §3 (AMD).] [PL 2023, c. 130, §§2, 3 (AMD).]

4. Maximum amount. The maximum loan or loan repayment amount available to each participant is $20,000 per year for a period of up to 4 years. For a loan recipient who receives a first loan after January 1, 2020 or a loan repayment participant who signs a first agreement after January 1, 2020, the maximum loan or loan repayment amount available is $25,000 per year for a period of up to 4 years. [PL 2019, c. 102, §3 (AMD).]

5. Loan agreement; forgiveness. A student applying under subsection 1, paragraph A shall enter into a loan agreement as set out in this subsection. A. Upon completion of professional education, the student shall repay the loan in accordance with this paragraph. (1) A loan recipient who does not obtain loan forgiveness pursuant to subparagraph (2) shall repay the entire principal of the loan plus simple interest at a rate to be determined by rule of the authority. Interest does not begin to accrue until the loan recipient completes dental education. (2) A loan recipient who, upon conclusion of the recipient's professional education, including any fellowships, elects to serve as a practitioner of dental medicine in an underserved population area is forgiven 25% of the original outstanding indebtedness for each year of that practice. [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. NN, §2 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. NN, §4 (AFF); PL 1999, c. 496, §2 (NEW).] B. Loans must be repaid over a term no longer than 10 years, except that the chief executive officer may extend an individual's term as necessary to ensure repayment of the loan. Repayment must commence when the loan recipient completes, withdraws from or otherwise fails to continue dental education. [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. NN, §2 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. NN, §4 (AFF); PL 1999, c. 496, §2 (NEW).] C. A loan recipient serving an underserved population area pursuant to paragraph A , subparagraph (2) must serve patients regardless of ability to pay through insurance or other payment source. [PL 2019, c. 102, §4 (AMD).] [PL 2019, c. 102, §4 (AMD).]

6. Loan repayment agreement. An applicant under subsection 1, paragraph B shall enter into a loan repayment agreement as set out in this subsection. A. An applicant will receive payment from the authority on the applicant's outstanding indebtedness for dental education at a rate of $20,000 per year of service for up to 4 years as long as the applicant continues to serve as a practitioner of dental medicine in an underserved population area. A loan repayment participant who signs a first agreement after January 1, 2020 receives payment from the authority on the participant's outstanding indebtedness for dental education at a rate of up to $25,000 per year of service for up to 4 years as long as the participant continues to serve as a practitioner of dental medicine in an underserved population area. [PL 2019, c. 102, §5 (AMD).] B. A person receiving loan repayment payments under this subsection must serve patients regardless of ability to pay through insurance or other payment source. [PL 2019, c. 102, §5 (AMD).] [PL 2019, c. 102, §5 (AMD).]

7. Default. A loan recipient who agrees to practice in an underserved population area and who fails to complete the period of service required to pay off the loan is liable to the authority for an amount equal to the sum of the total amount paid by or on behalf of the authority to or on behalf of the recipient under the contract plus interest at a rate determined by the authority. Credit for practice in an underserved population area will be awarded for each consecutive 12-month period served. Exceptions may be made by the authority in accordance with subsection 8 . A loan recipient may be granted permission to default without penalty from an agreement to serve in an underserved population area by petitioning the authority. Grounds for permission to default without penalty include, but are not limited to, catastrophic circumstances that prevent the recipient from remaining in an underserved population area for the required period of time. The recipient receives credit for the number of months served and the remaining financial obligation plus interest must be repaid to the authority in cash under the terms of the original agreement. [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. NN, §2 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. NN, §4 (AFF); PL 1999, c. 496, §2 (NEW).]

8. Deferments. Deferments on the repayment of a loan under the program may be granted for causes established by rule of the authority. Interest at a rate to be determined by rule of the authority must be assessed during the deferment. The student's total debt to the authority, including principal and interest, must be repaid either through return service or cash payments. The chief executive officer shall make determinations of deferment on a case-by-case basis. The decision of the chief executive officer is final. [PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. NN, §2 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. NN, §4 (AFF); PL 1999, c. 496, §2 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 15909 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 7 / Chapter 609 / Section 15909
20-A §15909. Financing
Status: in_force

1. Rate of construction aid. [PL 2011, c. 678, Pt. C, §4 (RP).]

2. Bonds. A school administrative unit shall sell bonds in its name for the total cost of a school construction project minus the amounts listed in paragraph A . Bond sales must be consistent with rules adopted or amended by the state board. A. The amount to be bonded must be determined as follows. The total cost of the project must be reduced by: (2) Proceeds from insured losses; (3) Money from federal sources; and (4) Other noneducational funds, except gifts and money from federal revenue sharing sources. [PL 2011, c. 678, Pt. C, §5 (AMD).] B. A school administrative unit may borrow money for projects in anticipation of bond sales. Borrowing must be consistent with rules adopted or amended by the state board. [PL 2011, c. 678, Pt. C, §5 (AMD).] [PL 2011, c. 678, Pt. C, §5 (AMD).]

3. Deductions; cost of project. Proceeds from insured losses, money from federal sources and other noneducational funds must be deducted from the total cost of a school construction project to determine the amount on which the state's share must be calculated. Proceeds from gifts or moneys from federal revenue sharing sources must be treated as local appropriations. [PL 2011, c. 678, Pt. C, §6 (AMD).]

4. Construction projects approved in fiscal year 1984-85. [PL 2011, c. 678, Pt. C, §7 (RP).]

5. Records. All records for a school construction project must be kept for 7 years after the final compliance review. [PL 2013, c. 167, Pt. B, §6 (AMD).]

6. Compliance review. All records for state-funded school construction projects must be reviewed for compliance by department staff or certified public accountants under contract with the department. [PL 2013, c. 167, Pt. B, §6 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 15691 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 7 / Chapter 606-B / Section 15691
20-A §15691. Municipal assessment paid to district
Status: in_force

1. Presentation of assessment schedule. The assessment schedule based on the budget approved at a community school district or school administrative district budget meeting must be presented to the treasurer of each municipality that is a member of the district. The assessment schedule must include each member municipality's share of the school administrative unit's contribution to the total cost of funding public education from kindergarten to grade 12 as described in section 15688 , the school administrative unit's contribution to debt service for non-state-funded school construction projects and additional local funds for school purposes under section 15690 . [PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §62 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).]

2. Municipal treasurer's payment schedule. The treasurer of the member municipality, after being presented with the assessment schedule, shall forward 1/12 of that member municipality's share to the treasurer of the district on or before the 20th day of each month of the fiscal year beginning in July. [PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §62 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).]
20-A M.R.S. § 11491 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 417-F / Section 11491
20-A §11491. Purpose; program established
Status: in_force

The Legislature finds and declares that the provision of a higher education for all residents of this State and for nonresidents attending institutions of higher education within this State who desire a higher education and are properly qualified is important to the welfare and security of this State and consequently is an important public purpose. Many qualified students are deterred by financial considerations from completing their education, with a consequent irreparable loss to the State of talents vital to the welfare of the State and its citizens. Accordingly, there is established the Higher Education Loan Purchase Program to provide greater access to federal loan program loans at a lower cost, enabling all residents of this State as well as nonresidents attending an institution of higher education in this State to attend the institutions of higher education of their choice. [PL 2003, c. 455, §2 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 4721 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 207-A / Section 4721
20-A §4721. General requirement
Status: in_force

1. Comprehensive program of instruction. A secondary school shall provide a comprehensive program of instruction, which must meet the requirements of this chapter and the parameters for essential instruction and diploma requirements established under section 6209 . The program must include instruction for all students in life and career readiness, English language arts, health education and physical education, mathematics, technology, science and engineering, social studies, visual and performing arts and world languages. [PL 2021, c. 571, §5 (AMD).]

2. Secondary school organization and delivery of instruction. A secondary school shall provide a structure that allows for student achievement of the parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements established under section 6209 in multiple pathways as set out under section 4703 . [PL 2009, c. 313, §13 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 3606 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 121 / Section 3606
20-A §3606. Operating procedures of planning committee
Status: in_force

Each interstate school district planning committee shall meet in the first instance at the call of any member, and shall organize by the election of a chairman and clerk-treasurer, each of whom shall be a resident of a different state. Subsequent meetings may be called by either officer of the committee. The members of the committee shall serve without pay. The member districts shall appropriate money on an equal basis at each annual meeting to meet the expenses of the committee, including the cost of publication and distribution of reports and advertising. From time to time the commissioners may add additional members and additional member districts to the committee, and may remove members and member districts from the committee. An interstate school district planning committee shall act by majority vote of its membership present and voting. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 6631 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 223 / Section 6631
20-A §6631. Obesity and Chronic Disease Fund
Status: in_force

1. Fund established. The Obesity and Chronic Disease Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established as an interest-bearing account administered by the department and the Department of Health and Human Services. [PL 2011, c. 108, §1 (AMD).]

2. Revenue. Any private or public funds appropriated, allocated or dedicated to the fund must be deposited into the fund as well as income from any other source directed to the fund. All interest earned by the fund becomes part of the fund. Any balance remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year does not lapse but is carried forward into subsequent fiscal years. [PL 2009, c. 264, §1 (NEW).]

3. Use of fund; health and physical fitness. Balances in the fund may be used for the necessary expenses of the department and the Department of Health and Human Services in the administration of the fund. Balances in the fund may be used to pay for new equipment, new staff training, new personnel, new administrative costs and other expenses not related to an existing physical education program and for the implementation of a new physical education program for elementary schools. [PL 2011, c. 108, §2 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 3625 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 121 / Section 3625
20-A §3625. Board of directors
Status: reserved

1. How chosen. Each member district must be represented by at least one resident on the board of school directors of an interstate school district. A member district is entitled to such further representation on the interstate board of school directors as provided in the articles of agreement as amended from time to time. The articles of agreement as amended from time to time may provide for school directors at large, as set forth. A person may not be disqualified to serve as a member of an interstate board because that person is at the same time a member of the school board of a member district. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §7 (COR).]

2. Term. Interstate school directors shall be elected for terms in accordance with the articles of agreement. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

3. Duties of board of directors. The board of school directors of an interstate school district shall have and exercise all of the powers of the district not reserved herein to the voters of the district. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

4. Organization. The clerk of the district shall warn a meeting of the board of school directors to be held within 10 days following the date of the annual meeting, for the purpose of organizing the board, including the election of its officers. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 6805 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 225 / Section 6805
20-A §6805. Injuries by minor; damages
Status: in_force

If a minor injures or aids in injuring a schoolhouse or school outbuildings, utensils or appurtenances; defaces the walls, benches, seats or other parts of school buildings by marks, cuts or otherwise; or injures or destroys school property belonging to a school administrative unit, the unit may recover from the minor's parent, in a civil action, double the damage. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 8468 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 4 / Chapter 313 / Section 8468
20-A §8468. Reserve fund
Status: in_force

1. Establishment. A career and technical education region may establish a reserve fund for a school construction project, the acquisition or reconstruction of a specific item or type of capital improvement, the acquisition of a specific item or type of capital equipment or any of the expenditures listed under section 1485, subsection 1, paragraph A by including a request in the region budget, which must include a description of the purpose of the reserve fund, pursuant to this chapter. The cooperative board is the trustee of such a reserve fund. [PL 2019, c. 588, §10 (AMD).]

2. Deposit or investment. All region funds, including reserve funds and trust funds to the extent that the terms of the instrument or vote creating the fund do not prohibit, must be deposited or invested by the treasurer of the cooperative board under the direction of the cooperative board according to the requirements for the deposit or investment of municipal funds contained in Title 30‑A, section 5706 . [PL 1991, c. 518, §32 (AMD).]

3. Expending money from reserve funds. The cooperative board may expend a sum in a reserve fund if permitted by the conditions of any indebtedness secured by the reserve fund and if approved in the region budget. A separate article for that purpose must be included in the region budget proposal. The cooperative board may expend funds from the reserve fund by a vote of the board without the expenditure's having to be included in the region budget or region budget proposal in accordance with the procedure in subsection 4 : A. In the event of an emergency that requires the immediate expenditure of funds and when, in responding to the emergency, a vote of the region for permission is cost-prohibitive; or [PL 2019, c. 588, §11 (NEW).] B. When the expenditure is required by law. [PL 2019, c. 588, §11 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 588, §11 (AMD).]

4. Procedure for expending money from reserve funds by vote of board. The procedure for the cooperative board to expend funds from the reserve fund pursuant to subsection 3, paragraph A or B must be as follows. A. The cooperative board shall provide public notice of the regular or special meeting at which the vote to expend funds from the reserve fund will be taken. [PL 2019, c. 588, §12 (NEW).] B. The cooperative board shall hold a public hearing prior to the vote to expend funds from the reserve fund. [PL 2019, c. 588, §12 (NEW).] C. The vote to expend funds from the reserve fund must be recorded in the meeting minutes of the cooperative board. [PL 2019, c. 588, §12 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 588, §12 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 4271 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 203 / Section 4271
20-A §4271. Start-up funding for public preschool programs
Status: in_force

1. Start-up funding. To the extent the State provides adequate start-up funding, school administrative units may operate public preschool programs or provide for students to participate in such programs in accordance with the requirements of this Title. For the purposes of this subchapter, "start-up funding" means a one-time, start-up grant awarded to a qualified school administrative unit that submits an implementation plan that is approved by the department for the operation of a new or expanded public preschool program. [PL 2013, c. 581, §3 (NEW).]

2. Allowable costs. Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year and for each subsequent school year, the State may provide start-up funding for the allowable costs to operate public preschool programs for children 4 years of age under this subchapter. [PL 2013, c. 581, §3 (NEW).]

3. Grant funds. Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year and for each subsequent school year, the commissioner may provide start-up funding to qualified school administrative units to operate public preschool programs for children 4 years of age. Grants provided for allowable costs for approved public preschool programs must be provided from state, federal or private funds appropriated, allocated or authorized by the Legislature for that purpose. [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §5 (AMD).]

3-A. Phase-in procedures for new or newly expanded public preschool programs. Beginning July 1, 2018, for new or newly expanded public preschool programs, the commissioner shall make a preliminary calculation of total allocation pursuant to section 15674 based on the following: A. Estimated public preschool program student counts not to exceed the school unit's most recent kindergarten enrollment; [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §6 (NEW).] B. Estimated rates and weights based on statewide averages; and [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §6 (NEW).] C. The preliminary calculation of total allocation, which must be replaced with actual student data once students have been enrolled for the new school year. The new or newly expanded public preschool programs shall enroll new students no later than August 1st in a student information system maintained by the department. [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §6 (NEW).] [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §6 (NEW).]

4. Qualifications; rules. To qualify for a grant under this section, a school administrative unit must submit an implementation plan to the department for the operation of a new or expanded public preschool program. The qualifications established for implementation plans must contain standards and best practices for public preschool programs and must encourage a school administrative unit to demonstrate coordination with other early childhood programs in the community to maximize resources and provide comprehensive services to meet the needs of children 4 years of age in accordance with this subchapter and rules adopted by the commissioner. In awarding grants under this section, the commissioner shall give priority to a qualified school administrative unit that has a greater percentage of economically disadvantaged students as determined pursuant to section 15675, subsection 2 than other qualified school administrative units under this subsection and in accordance with the following order of preference: A. The first preference must be to award grant funds to a qualified school administrative unit that does not operate a public preschool program and that submits a plan for the development and operation of a new public preschool program; and [PL 2013, c. 581, §3 (NEW).] B. The 2nd preference must be to award grant funds to a qualified school administrative unit that operates a public preschool program and that submits a plan for the development and operation of an expanded public preschool program. [PL 2013, c. 581, §3 (NEW).] The commissioner shall adopt rules that establish criteria for the approval of implementation plans and for the awarding of start-up funds for the allowable costs of operating public preschool programs. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2013, c. 581, §3 (NEW).]

5. Application for federal public preschool funds. The department may apply for assistance from the Federal Government for the development of public preschool programs for children 4 years of age on behalf of school administrative units in the State. The department shall administer any federal funds received for the benefit of public preschool programs in the State. As the designated state agency authorized to administer federal funds, the department shall develop a state plan and application for funding public preschool programs and shall disburse federal funds as authorized and required by applicable federal law. Beginning in fiscal year 2015-16, the department shall provide any federal funds received to qualified school administrative units as part of the start-up funding provided for the development and operation of public preschool programs under this section. If federal funds are used as part of the start-up funds to operate new or expanded public preschool programs, the students enrolled in these programs must be considered subsidizable pupils for purposes of state subsidy calculations pursuant to chapter 606‑B . [PL 2013, c. 581, §3 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 6604 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 223 / Section 6604
20-A §6604. Substance use disorder programs
Status: in_force

1. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings: A. "Chemical health coordinator" means a person who serves as the coordinator of a local school administrative unit's chemical primary and secondary prevention and education program. [PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §70 (NEW).] [PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §70 (NEW).]

2. Local programs. School units may institute special programs to address health and related problems. [PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §70 (NEW).]

To further these objectives, school units may employ specialized personnel such as chemical health coordinators and others knowledgeable about substance use and may cooperate with public and private agencies in substance use disorder education, prevention, early intervention, rehabilitation referral and related programs. [PL 2017, c. 407, Pt. A, §59 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 252 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 1 / Chapter 3 / Section 252
20-A §252. Office
Status: in_force

An office shall be provided for the commissioner at the seat of government. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 8463-A — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 4 / Chapter 313 / Section 8463-A
20-A §8463-A. Enforcement of payment of assessment
Status: in_force

1. School warrant; monthly installment. Following the assessment of each unit pursuant to section 8463 , the school officials of each unit in the region shall place on the school warrant for payment the first of each month an installment equal to 1/12 of the unit's share of the region's budget. [PL 2011, c. 489, §1 (NEW).]

2. Notification of failure to pay. If a unit fails to pay the monthly installment or any portion of the installment set forth in the school warrant in accordance with subsection 1 , in order to initiate collection procedures pursuant to subsection 4 , the career and technical education director of the region shall notify the superintendent of the unit of the unit’s failure to pay. [PL 2011, c. 489, §1 (NEW).]

3. Interest. Interest accrues on each installment under subsection 1 that is not paid at the rate established under Title 36, section 186 beginning on the 60th day after the date the installment is due under subsection 1 . [PL 2011, c. 489, §1 (NEW).]

4. Judicial enforcement. If payment of an installment under subsection 1 to a region is not made within 60 days after the date the installment is due, the career and technical education director of the region may initiate an action in Superior Court to compel payment of the delinquent installment. The court shall determine the amount owed by the unit to the region and shall order the superintendent of the unit to pay all delinquent installments, accrued interest and any court costs and reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the region. To ensure prompt payment of the delinquent installments, the court may require that amounts due to the unit from the State or a member municipality be paid to the region until the amount determined by the court is satisfied. The court shall promptly notify the disbursing agency or municipality of the determination and direct the agency or municipality to make the required change in payee and the amounts to be paid. If additional funds are needed to satisfy the amount determined by the court to be paid to the region, the court may order the attachment or trustee process and sale of real or personal property owned by the unit or the attachment of the unit's bank accounts and may pay the amount owed the region from the proceeds and return any excess to the unit. [PL 2011, c. 489, §1 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 12121 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 424-A / Section 12121
20-A §12121. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2009, c. 488, §14 (NEW).]

1. Authority. "Authority" means the Finance Authority of Maine. [PL 2009, c. 488, §14 (NEW).]

2. Chief executive officer. "Chief executive officer" means the Chief Executive Officer of the Finance Authority of Maine. [PL 2009, c. 488, §14 (NEW).]

3. Insufficient veterinary services. "Insufficient veterinary services" means an insufficient number of practitioners of veterinary medicine in a veterinary specialty related to livestock or emergency and critical care, as determined by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. [PL 2021, c. 725, §1 (AMD).]

4. Maine resident. "Maine resident" means a person who has been a resident of the State for a minimum of 2 years for purposes other than education at the time of the person's entry to a school of veterinary medicine as determined by rule of the authority. In determining residency, the authority shall consider: A. Length of residence in the State for other than tuition purposes; [PL 2009, c. 488, §14 (NEW).] B. Secondary school attended; [PL 2009, c. 488, §14 (NEW).] C. Legal residence of parents; [PL 2009, c. 488, §14 (NEW).] D. Place of voting registration, if registered to vote; [PL 2009, c. 488, §14 (NEW).] E. Place where taxes are paid; and [PL 2009, c. 488, §14 (NEW).] F. Other indicators established by the authority. [PL 2009, c. 488, §14 (NEW).] [PL 2009, c. 488, §14 (NEW).]

5. Program. "Program" means the Maine Veterinary Medicine Loan Program established under section 12122 . [PL 2009, c. 488, §14 (NEW).]

6. Underserved geographic region. "Underserved geographic region" means a geographic region of the State in which there is an insufficient number of practitioners of veterinary medicine, as determined by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. [PL 2021, c. 725, §2 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 11498 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 417-F / Section 11498
20-A §11498. Tax exemption
Status: in_force

Bonds issued under this chapter constitute a proper public purpose and the securities, their transfer and the income from them, including any profits made on their sale, are at all times exempt from taxation within the State, whether or not those securities, their transfer or the income from them, including any profits made on their sale, are subject to federal taxation. [PL 2003, c. 455, §2 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 19103 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 9 / Chapter 801 / Section 19103
20-A §19103. Finances of the fund
Status: in_force

1. Fund assets. The fund includes all assets, funds and holdings held in the name of, on behalf of or for the benefit of the fund. This is a nonlapsing fund the sources of which include all appropriations and allocations by the Legislature to the fund; cash, stocks, cash equivalents or the equivalent value of goods and services that are consistent with the guiding principles established under section 19102, subsection 3 from any other source, whether public or private, designated for deposit into or credited to the fund; and interest or other income or assets of the fund. [PL 2001, c. 358, Pt. II, §4 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 20, Pt. TT, §1 (AMD).]

2. Fundraising plan. The commissioner and the Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services shall, for the duration of the fund, identify and submit grant and fundraising proposals in support of the priorities of the learning technology plan established pursuant to section 19102 to federal, corporate, foundation or other 3rd-party sources as appropriate. The commissioner and the Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services shall develop a plan for fundraising and identifying grant sources that is designed to raise sufficient funds to enable the learning technology plan to expand to the secondary school level. The fundraising plan must identify specific funding sources, as appropriate, timelines and an assessment of the probability of success. In order to preserve the integrity of the educational purposes of the learning technology plan, all fundraising and grant proposals must be consistent with the goals and terms of the learning technology plan. The commissioner and the Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services shall develop any necessary guidelines for fundraising and grant proposals in order to carry out this requirement. [PL 2013, c. 533, §16 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 5003 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 211 / Section 5003
20-A §5003. Administration
Status: in_force

1. School board's responsibility. School boards shall administer this chapter. [PL 1983, c. 806, §51 (AMD).]

2. Policies. School boards shall adopt policies to carry out this chapter and shall file a copy with the commissioner. [PL 2021, c. 157, §1 (AMD).]

3. Commissioner's responsibility. The commissioner shall guide school boards in adopting these policies. [PL 2021, c. 157, §1 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1454 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 103-A / Section 1454
20-A §1454. Rules
Status: in_force

The state board may adopt rules to carry out this chapter. Rules adopted under this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 12524 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 428-A / Section 12524
20-A §12524. Loan repayment agreement application
Status: in_force

Beginning July 1, 2007, an eligible employer seeking to fill an eligible employment position with an eligible individual who has outstanding student loans from financial institutions may apply on behalf of that individual to obtain one or more program loan repayment agreements under section 12526 . Applications must be submitted to the authority at a time and in a format to be determined by the authority. [PL 2003, c. 710, §2 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1055 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 101 / Section 1055
20-A §1055. Superintendent; powers and duties
Status: in_force

The superintendent is responsible for the ongoing administration of the school administrative unit and for ensuring that the operation of the schools conforms to policies and rules as adopted by the school board and to state laws and rules. The superintendent also is the ex officio secretary of the school board and school building committee chosen by the administrative unit and shall perform duties as the school board or school building committee direct. [PL 2001, c. 588, §14 (AMD).]

1. Records, orders, vouchers. The superintendent is responsible for: A. Keeping a permanent record of all the votes, orders and proceedings; [PL 2001, c. 588, §15 (AMD).] B. Placing all orders for materials and supplies purchased by vote of the school building committee or school board; [PL 2001, c. 588, §15 (AMD).] C. Keeping all financial records and accounts; and [PL 2001, c. 588, §15 (AMD).] D. Issuing vouchers showing the correctness of bills contracted on account of school appropriations. [PL 2001, c. 588, §15 (AMD).] [PL 2001, c. 588, §15 (AMD).]

2. Inspect schools; annual report. The superintendent is responsible for: A. Inspecting the schools and reviewing the operating rules, the discipline and the proficiency of the students; [PL 2001, c. 588, §16 (AMD).] B. Visiting each school at least the minimum number of times each term required by the school board or union committee as established by the policy adopted under section 1053 ; and [PL 2001, c. 588, §16 (AMD).] C. Annually, reporting to the commissioner on the progress of the comprehensive education plan required under section 4502, subsection 6 . [PL 2001, c. 588, §16 (AMD).] [PL 2001, c. 588, §16 (AMD).]

3. Financial and building report. At least annually, the superintendent shall send an accurate account of school finances and an accurate report on the condition of school facilities to each school board member. [PL 2001, c. 588, §16 (AMD).]

4. Educational materials. The superintendent is responsible for carrying out the policies of the school board established pursuant to section 1001, subsection 10‑A for the selection and purchase of all educational materials. [PL 2001, c. 588, §16 (AMD).]

5. Distribution and accounting of supplies. The superintendent shall ensure that all necessary apparatus and supplies are distributed to each school, accurately accounted for and economically used. [PL 2001, c. 588, §16 (AMD).]

6. Display of flags. The superintendent shall: A. Ensure that the United States and Maine flags are displayed from public school buildings every school day and on appropriate occasions; [PL 1985, c. 103, §1 (AMD).] A-1. Ensure that an American flag is displayed in every classroom in each public school in the unit; and [PL 1985, c. 103, §2 (NEW).] B. Report annually to the school board the amount necessary to furnish the public schools with suitable flags and flagstaffs. The school administrative unit shall appropriate the necessary funds. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] [PL 1985, c. 103, §§1, 2 (AMD).]

7. Enforce rules of the school board. The superintendent shall enforce or cause to be enforced all rules of the school board. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

8. Full-time employment. The entire time of a full-time superintendent shall be devoted to superintendence in the school supervisory unit which employs the superintendent. A full-time superintendent may perform educational service outside of the supervisory unit with the approval of the commissioner and with the consent of the school board. [PL 1987, c. 330, §1 (RPR).]

8-A. Part-time employment. A superintendent who is employed as a part-time superintendent shall perform the duties agreed upon between the superintendent and the employing school board, subject to approval by the commissioner. [PL 1987, c. 330, §2 (NEW).]

9. Report to the commissioner. The superintendent shall annually report, under oath, to the commissioner before a date established by the commissioner, concerning the operation of the school unit. The report shall contain: A. The amount appropriated and expended on elementary and secondary education in the preceding fiscal year; [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] B. The number of weeks schools were open; [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] C. The number of students registered; [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] D. The average attendance; [PL 1983, c. 859, §§4, 25 (AMD).] E. The amount received for tuition; and [PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. A, §§4, 25 (AMD).] F. Other information required by rule adopted by the commissioner to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this Title. [PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. A, §§4, 25 (NEW).] [PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. A, §§4, 25 (AMD).]

10. Supervise school employees. The superintendent is responsible for implementing a performance evaluation and professional growth system for all teachers and principals pursuant to chapter 508 and an evaluation system for all other employees of the school administrative unit. The superintendent shall evaluate probationary teachers during, without limitation, each year of their employment as probationary teachers. The method of evaluation must be determined by the school board, be in compliance with the requirements of chapter 508 and be implemented by the superintendent. [PL 2019, c. 132, §1 (AMD).]

11. Notification teams. Within 10 days after receiving notice from a district attorney of an alleged juvenile offense or juvenile offense, pursuant to Title 15, section 3308‑B, subsection 1 or after receiving notice from a law enforcement officer of credible information regarding the safety of students or school personnel pursuant to Title 15, section 3301‑A , the superintendent shall convene a notification team. The notification team must consist of the administrator of the school building or the administrator's designee, at least one classroom teacher to whom the student is assigned, a parent or guardian of the student and a guidance counselor. The notification team is entitled to receive the information described in Title 15, section 3308‑B, subsection 1, paragraph A to F and in Title 15, section 3301‑A . The notification team shall also determine on the basis of need which school employees are entitled to receive that information. Confidentiality of this criminal justice information regarding juveniles must be ensured at all times, and the information may be released only under the conditions of this subsection. The superintendent shall ensure that confidentiality training is provided to all school employees who have access to the information. [PL 2025, c. 73, §2 (AMD).]

12. Reintegration team. Within 10 days after receiving information from the Department of Corrections pursuant to Title 15, section 3009 , the superintendent shall convene a reintegration team to carry out reintegration planning pursuant to section 254, subsection 12 . The reintegration team must consist of the administrator of the school or the administrator's designee; at least one classroom teacher to whom the student will be assigned or who is involved in the school's student assistance team; a parent, guardian or custodian of the student; and a guidance counselor. The reintegration team is entitled to receive the information described in Title 15, section 3308‑C, subsection 4, paragraph C , subparagraph (3) and Title 34‑A, section 1216, subsection 1, paragraph F . The reintegration team shall also determine, on the basis of need, which school employees may receive that information. Confidentiality of the information regarding juveniles received from the Department of Corrections must be ensured at all times and the information may be released by a member of the reintegration team only under the conditions of this subsection. The superintendent shall ensure that confidentiality training is provided to all school employees who have access to the information. [PL 2021, c. 365, §27 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 365, §37 (AFF).]
20-A M.R.S. § 403 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 1 / Chapter 5 / Section 403
20-A §403. Seal
Status: in_force

The state board shall adopt a seal. The seal may be used by the commissioner to authenticate documents or copies of documents. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1312 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 103 / Section 1312
20-A §1312. Reserve fund
Status: in_force

School administrative districts may establish a reserve fund as follows. [PL 1989, c. 132, §1 (AMD).]

1. Establishment. A school administrative district may establish a reserve fund for school construction projects, financing the acquisition or reconstruction of a specific or type of capital improvement, financing the acquisition of a specific item or type of capital equipment or any of the expenditures listed under section 1485, subsection 1, paragraph A by including a request in the district budget, which must include a description of the purpose of the reserve fund, and receiving voter approval. The board of directors is the trustee of the reserve fund. The reserve fund must be deposited or invested by the treasurer under the direction of the board. [PL 2019, c. 588, §1 (AMD).]

2. Deposit or investment. All district funds, including reserve funds and trust funds to the extent that the terms of the instrument or vote creating the fund do not prohibit, shall be deposited or invested by the treasurer under the direction of the board of directors according to the requirements for the deposit or investment of municipal funds contained in Title 30‑A, chapter 223, subchapter III‑A . [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §§42, 106 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8,10 (AMD).]

3. Expending money from reserve funds. The board of directors may expend the sum in the reserve fund when authorized to do so by a vote of the district at a district meeting or a district budget meeting, when an article for that purpose is set out in the warrant calling the meeting, except that the board of directors may expend funds from a reserve fund by a vote of the board in accordance with the procedure in subsection 4 : A. In the event of an emergency that requires the immediate expenditure of funds and when, in responding to the emergency, a vote of the district for permission is cost-prohibitive; or [PL 2019, c. 588, §2 (NEW).] B. When such an expenditure is required by law. [PL 2019, c. 588, §2 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 588, §2 (AMD).]

4. Procedure for expending money from reserve funds by vote of board. The procedure for the board of directors to expend funds from the reserve fund pursuant to subsection 3, paragraph A or B must be as follows. A. The board of directors shall provide public notice of the regular or special meeting at which the vote to expend funds from the reserve fund will be taken. [PL 2019, c. 588, §3 (NEW).] B. The board of directors shall hold a public hearing prior to the vote to expend funds from the reserve fund. [PL 2019, c. 588, §3 (NEW).] C. The vote to expend funds from the reserve fund must be recorded in the meeting minutes of the board of directors. [PL 2019, c. 588, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 588, §3 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1501 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 103-A / Section 1501
20-A §1501. Regional school unit referendum
Status: in_force

1. Authority to call a regional school unit referendum. The regional school unit board shall initiate a regional school unit referendum: A. To approve the issuance of bonds or notes for school construction projects; [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] B. To approve a change in the selection of a school building site; [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] C. To authorize the regional school unit board to contract for the schooling of secondary pupils; [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] D. To accept or reject a prospective gift; and [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] E. To borrow funds for minor capital costs as defined in section 15672, subsection 20‑A . [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 8463 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 4 / Chapter 313 / Section 8463
20-A §8463. Assessment and appropriation of municipal funds
Status: in_force

Municipal funds must be assessed and appropriated for a region's budget as follows. [PL 1991, c. 518, §29 (AMD).]

1. Operating, construction and debt service costs. Each region shall, in accordance with the region's written agreement for sharing costs adopted pursuant to section 8457 , assess each unit within the region that unit's share of the region's annual budget for the operating and construction costs for region programs as may be required by this subsection and sections 8460 and 8465 . [PL 1991, c. 518, §29 (AMD).]

2. Deduction of federal grants. Anticipated grants from federal sources to be received by the cooperative board must be deducted from the region's annual budget prior to making the assessments to the municipalities within the region pursuant to subsection 1 . [PL 1991, c. 518, §29 (AMD).]

3. Raising and appropriating local municipal funds. Each municipality within a region shall raise and appropriate sufficient funds to pay for its share of the region's annual budget assessed pursuant to subsection 1 . [PL 1991, c. 518, §29 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 12971 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 443 / Section 12971
20-A §12971. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2021, c. 544, §1 (NEW).]

1. College or university. "College or university" means a postsecondary educational institution in the State, including: A. A degree-granting educational institution regulated under chapter 409 ; [PL 2021, c. 544, §1 (NEW).] B. A university in the University of Maine System; [PL 2021, c. 544, §1 (NEW).] C. A college in the Maine Community College System; and [PL 2021, c. 544, §1 (NEW).] D. The Maine Maritime Academy. [PL 2021, c. 544, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 544, §1 (NEW).]

2. Team contract. "Team contract" means a contract between a student athlete and a college or university and includes any rules or expectations of the college or university's athletic department or head coach that require a student athlete's compliance as a condition under the contract of participation as a member of the intercollegiate athletic program. [PL 2021, c. 544, §1 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 10001 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 401 / Section 10001
20-A §10001. Person with hemophilia
Status: in_force

1. Participation in physical activity. A post-secondary institution may not require a person with hemophilia to participate in physical activity hazardous to that person's physical health, as a condition or requirement for a degree, unless the physical activity is approved by the state board as an essential prerequisite to that degree. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §19 (COR).]

2. Admission. A post-secondary institution may not refuse admission to a person with hemophilia solely because of that person's condition as a hemophiliac, unless that condition would prevent participation in required courses of study of physical activity. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §19 (COR).]
20-A M.R.S. § 10958 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 412 / Section 10958
20-A §10958. Remedies
Status: in_force

Any holder of evidences of indebtedness issued under this chapter or of any of the coupons appertaining to this chapter, and the trustee under any resolution or trust agreement, except to the extent the rights given may be restricted by the resolution authorizing the issuance of evidences of indebtedness or a trust agreement or applicable financing document, may, by action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights under the laws of the State or granted under this chapter or under the resolution, financing documents or trust agreement, including the appointment of a receiver of pledged amounts or a project, and may enforce and compel the performance of all duties required by this chapter or by the resolution, financing document or trust agreement to be performed by the university, including the collecting of rates, rents, fees and charges for the use of any or all of its facilities or projects. Any such suit, action or proceeding shall be brought for the benefit of all the holders of evidences of indebtedness and coupons. [PL 1987, c. 735, §14 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 10985 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 412-B / Section 10985
20-A §10985. Advisory committee
Status: in_force

The Advisory Committee on Family Development Accounts, established in Title 5, section 12004‑I, subsection 18‑F , is referred to in this section as "the committee." [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).]

1. Committee membership. The committee consists of 10 members as follows: A. Four members appointed by the Governor, including one representative of the Maine State Housing Authority, one representative of the Department of Health and Human Services and 2 representatives of financial institutions participating in the program; [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).] B. Three members appointed by the President of the Senate, including one representative of a statewide community development foundation, one person who is an account holder or is eligible to be an account holder or is a program graduate and one representative of a financial institution participating in the program; and [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).] C. Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, including one person who is an account holder or is eligible to be an account holder or is a program graduate, one representative of a contributor of matching funds to the program and one representative of a financial institution participating in the program. [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).] Members from state departments serve at the pleasure of their appointing authorities. All other members serve 3‑year terms and may continue to serve beyond their terms until their successors are appointed. If a vacancy occurs before a term has expired, the vacancy must be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by the authority who made the original appointment. If a member is absent for 2 consecutive meetings and has not been excused by the chair from either meeting, the committee may remove the member by majority vote. [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).]

2. Chair. The committee shall elect a chair from its members. [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).]

3. Duties; report. The committee shall meet at least 2 times per year to study and evaluate the effectiveness of family development accounts in this State and other states; make recommendations with respect to changes in law, rule or policy that will enhance the ability of account holders to improve their economic security; and advise the university, relevant state agencies, community development organizations and the Legislature as to its findings. The committee shall provide a comprehensive report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over business and economic development matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters by March 1st of each year. [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).]

4. Freedom of access; confidential information. Meetings of the committee are public meetings and records and papers of the committee are public records for the purposes of the freedom of access laws in Title 1, chapter 13, subchapter 1 , except that information obtained about account holders and their families that is confidential under state or federal law, rule or regulation is confidential and may not be disclosed. [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).]

5. Staffing. The university shall provide staffing to the committee and may, within existing resources, obtain technical assistance from appropriate sources with expertise in asset development for low-income households. [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).]

6. Voluntary service. Members of the committee serve without compensation or reimbursement for expenses, except that members representing account holders may be reimbursed for expenses. [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 11404 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 417 / Section 11404
20-A §11404. Additions to Student Loan Insurance Fund
Status: in_force

1. Request of authority. The authority may, in writing, request the Governor to provide additional funds to add to the Student Loan Insurance Fund to meet its obligations. [PL 1989, c. 698, §13 (RPR); PL 1989, c. 698, §76 (AFF).]

2. Transfer of funds. The Governor shall transfer to the fund sufficient money for the requested purpose from the State Contingent Account or from the proceeds of bonds issued as provided in this section. [PL 1989, c. 698, §13 (RPR); PL 1989, c. 698, §76 (AFF).]

3. Bonds. Bonds must be issued as follows. A. The Governor shall order the Treasurer of State to issue bonds in the amount requested, but not exceeding in the aggregate outstanding at any one time the amount set forth in the Constitution of Maine, Article VIII, Part First, Section 2. [PL 1989, c. 698, §13 (RPR); PL 1989, c. 698, §76 (AFF).] B. Bonds mature serially or run for such periods as the Governor may determine, but not for a term of more than 20 years. [PL 1989, c. 698, §13 (RPR); PL 1989, c. 698, §76 (AFF).] C. The Governor shall determine the rates of interest and the terms and conditions of the bonds. [PL 1989, c. 698, §13 (RPR); PL 1989, c. 698, §76 (AFF).] D. The bonds are deemed to be a pledge of the full faith and credit of the State. [PL 1989, c. 698, §13 (RPR); PL 1989, c. 698, §76 (AFF).] [PL 1989, c. 698, §13 (RPR); PL 1989, c. 698, §76 (AFF).]
20-A M.R.S. § 12991 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 445 / Section 12991
20-A §12991. Memoranda of understanding
Status: in_force

1. Requirement. No later than July 1, 2023, an institution of higher education shall enter into and maintain a memorandum of understanding with a sexual assault support center and domestic violence resource center that is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services to: A. Provide an off-campus option for students and employees of the institution to receive free and confidential sexual assault crisis services, including access to a sexual assault nurse examiner, if available, or free and confidential domestic violence crisis services; [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).] B. Ensure that a student or employee of the institution may access free and confidential advocacy services either on campus or off campus related to sexual violence, intimate partner violence or stalking; [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).] C. Ensure cooperation and training between the institution and the sexual assault support center or domestic violence resource center regarding the roles that the institution, sexual assault support center and domestic violence resource center should play in responding to reports and disclosures of sexual violence, intimate partner violence and stalking against students and employees of the institution and the institution's protocols for providing support and services to such students and employees; [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).] D. Ensure that a student or employee of the institution has access to mental health services, either on campus or off campus, relating to sexual violence, intimate partner violence or stalking; and [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).] E. Make referrals for civil legal representation to assist with civil protections, including but not limited to those related to protections under Title IX of the federal Education Amendments of 1972, Public Law 92-318, as amended, or protection from abuse orders. [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).]

2. Confidential victim services; fees. A memorandum of understanding may include an agreement, including a fee structure, between the sexual assault support center or domestic violence resource center under subsection 1 and the institution of higher education to provide confidential victim services. Confidential victim services may include case consultation and training fees for confidential resource advisors, consultation fees for the development and implementation of sexual violence, intimate partner violence and stalking education and prevention programs for students, the development of trauma-informed response staff training and prevention curricula and private on-site office space for an advocate from the sexual assault support center and domestic violence resource center to meet with students or employees. [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 8603-A — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 4 / Chapter 315 / Section 8603-A
20-A §8603-A. Warrant to raise, appropriate, receive and expend money
Status: in_force

1. Warrant language. In order to fund adult education and educational activities and tuition costs under section 8603 , a school administrative unit must use the following warrant language at a duly called special or regular meeting or city election: "Article .......: To see if (the school administrative unit) will appropriate $............ for adult education and raise $............ as the local share; with authorization to expend any additional, incidental or miscellaneous receipts in the interest and for the well-being of the adult education program." [PL 2007, c. 599, §2 (AMD).]

2. Approval. Approval of the warrant must be by majority vote of those voting in the school administrative unit's legislative body budget meeting or election. [PL 2007, c. 599, §2 (AMD).]

3. Effect on multiple school administrative units. If more than one school administrative unit is participating in the adult education program, the appropriation line must be the total adult education budget for all the units participating and the amount to be raised must be that specific school administrative unit's share of the total amount to be raised by local taxation. [PL 2007, c. 599, §2 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 12728 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 431-A / Section 12728
20-A §12728. Coordination with education providers
Status: in_force

If an education or training requirement can not be delivered directly by a community college, staff of the centers shall work with other education and training providers to develop and deliver the program. [PL 1993, c. 707, Pt. CC, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 20, Pt. OO, §2 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 20, Pt. OO, §4 (AFF).]
20-A M.R.S. § 3806 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 123 / Section 3806
20-A §3806. Direct state funding of an education service center
Status: in_force

An education service center receives direct state funds for start‑up costs in accordance with section 15689, subsection 9 . An education service center that provides to members at least 2 different services covering a total of at least 2 different categories as specified in section 15683‑C, subsection 2 must receive annual state support for: [PL 2019, c. 219, §4 (NEW).]

1. Salary and benefits. Fifty-five percent of the executive director's salary and benefits or contracted leadership services, not to exceed 55% of the statewide average superintendent's salary and benefits using the most recent data available. For purposes of this subsection, "benefits" means the amounts paid by an employer to or on behalf of an employee that are not included in salary but augment salary as part of a full compensation package and are subject to federal income tax withholding; [PL 2019, c. 219, §4 (NEW).]

2. Accounting system. An accounting and payroll system or financial software to assist with the fiscal management for the education service center; and [PL 2019, c. 219, §4 (NEW).]

3. Student information system. A student information system. [PL 2019, c. 219, §4 (NEW).]

The school administrative units that are members of an education service center must receive state funds in accordance with section 15683‑C . [PL 2019, c. 219, §4 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1255 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 103 / Section 1255
20-A §1255. Reapportionment
Status: in_force

The commissioner shall determine the necessity for reapportionment. [PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §53 (AMD).]

1. Duties of commissioner. The commissioner shall determine if a district is apportioned in accordance with the principles of one person, one vote, if: A. The commissioner receives a request by the board of directors; [PL 2003, c. 354, §1 (AMD).] B. The commissioner receives a petition signed by district voters equal to at least 10% of the voters who voted in the last gubernatorial election in the district; or [PL 2003, c. 354, §1 (AMD).] C. The commissioner determines a district is not apportioned according to the principles of one person, one vote. [PL 2003, c. 354, §1 (AMD).] The commissioner shall make a determination under paragraph A or B within 30 days of receiving the request or the petition. [PL 2003, c. 354, §1 (AMD).]

2. Awaiting census results. If the commissioner receives a request within 12 months before a Federal Decennial Census or Federal Estimated Census, the commissioner may wait until after the new census figures are available to make a determination. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §1 (COR).]

3. Findings and order. If the commissioner finds the district's representation is not apportioned in accordance with the principle of one person, one vote, the commissioner shall, within 7 days of that decision, notify the superintendent of the finding and shall order the superintendent to notify the municipal officers in each municipality in the district and the school board to create a reapportionment committee. The superintendent's notification must include the commissioner's notification, the information provided pursuant to subsection 6 and the time and place for the first meeting of the committee, which must be held not later than 20 days after the notification. [PL 2003, c. 354, §1 (AMD).]

4. Reapportionment committee membership. The reapportionment committee shall consist of one municipal officer and one citizen at large from each member municipality, chosen by the municipal officers, and one director from each municipality, chosen by the board of directors. The appointments shall be made prior to the first meeting of the committee. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

5. Quorum. A majority of the committee shall be a quorum. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

6. Duties of commissioner. The commissioner shall provide the superintendent with the most recent Federal Decennial Census or Federal Estimated Census figures for each municipality in the district and at least one recommended apportionment plan. [PL 2003, c. 354, §2 (AMD).]

7. Duties of the reapportionment committee. The committee shall: A. Elect a chairman and secretary and may adopt suitable rules of procedure; [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] B. Consider and by majority vote adopt a plan including the method of representation, total number of directors and number of directors representing each municipality or subdistrict; and [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] C. Within 90 days of the first meeting, send a report of their plan to the state board for approval. It may, within the 90-day limit, submit alternative plans for apportionment. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

8. Commissioner approval. The commissioner shall approve or disapprove the committee plan within 30 days of receiving it. [PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §54 (AMD).]

9. Failure to gain commissioner approval. If a plan has not been adopted by the committee or approved by the commissioner within the time limits, the commissioner shall prepare a suitable plan. [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. B, §2 (COR).]

10. Putting the approved plan into effect. On approval of a plan, the commissioner shall send a certified copy to the municipal officers and school directors. The original plan shall be retained in the department files. A. The approved plan shall be effective immediately. The committee shall determine the terms of the directors who shall be elected at the next annual municipal elections so as to comply with section 1253 . [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] B. If the approved plan requires a reduction of the number of directors to be elected in a municipality, the reduction must be achieved in accordance with this paragraph. (1) If possible, the reduction must be achieved by the voluntary resignation of one or more of the directors. (2) If the reduction can not be achieved in accordance with subparagraph (1) and the plan is approved and filed less than 30 days prior to the annual municipal election, the number of open positions to be filled by the election process must be reduced to the number required by the approved plan. (3) If the reduction can not be achieved in accordance with subparagraph (1) or (2), or a combination of the 2, all of the remaining existing directors representing the municipality shall choose by lot which directors' terms must terminate. [PL 2003, c. 57, §1 (RPR).] C. If the approved plan requires that additional directors be elected in a municipality, the municipal officers shall fill the vacancies by appointment. A new director shall serve until a successor is elected and qualified at the next annual municipal election. [PL 1983, c. 806, §17 (AMD).] D. [PL 1993, c. 435, §3 (RP).] E. The reapportionment committee shall thereupon be dissolved. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] [PL 2003, c. 57, §1 (AMD).]

11. Duties of present directors during reapportionment. The board of directors, during the reapportionment of its membership, shall serve as legal representatives of the district until the reapportionment is completed. The board shall carry out all business of the district, including the borrowing of necessary funds which may be required during the period of reapportionment. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

12. State board review of commissioner's decisions. A school administrative district or interested parties may request that the state board reconsider decisions made by the commissioner in this section. The state board shall have the authority to overturn a decision made by the commissioner. In exercising this power, the state board is limited by this section. [PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §56 (NEW).]

13. Rules. The state board may adopt rules to carry out this section. [PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §56 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 11484 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 417-E / Section 11484
20-A §11484. Advisory Committee on Education Savings
Status: in_force

The Advisory Committee on Education Savings, referred to in this chapter as the "advisory committee," is created to provide advice to the authority on the operation of the program and investment of the program fund. [PL 2017, c. 474, Pt. F, §7 (AMD).]

1. Membership. The advisory committee consists of 8 members as follows: A. [PL 2017, c. 200, §1 (RP).] B. [PL 2001, c. 417, §18 (RP).] B-1. [PL 2011, c. 420, Pt. G, §1 (RP); PL 2011, c. 420, Pt. G, §9 (AFF).] B-2. One member appointed by the Governor from the public; [PL 2017, c. 200, §1 (AMD).] C. Four members appointed by the Governor with experience in and knowledge of institutional investment of funds; and [PL 2017, c. 200, §1 (AMD).] D. [PL 2011, c. 420, Pt. G, §4 (RP); PL 2011, c. 420, Pt. G, §9 (AFF).] E. [PL 2017, c. 200, §1 (RP).] F. Three members appointed by the chair of the board who are members of the board. [PL 2017, c. 200, §1 (AMD).] The chair of the advisory committee must be appointed annually by the chair of the board. [PL 2011, c. 420, Pt. G, §§1-5 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 420, Pt. G, §9 (AFF); PL 2017, c. 200, §1 (AMD).]

2. Terms. Members appointed by the Governor must be appointed for terms of 4 years. Members appointed by the chair of the board are appointed for terms of one year. Members may be removed for cause. A. [PL 2001, c. 417, §20 (RP).] B. [PL 2001, c. 417, §20 (RP).] [PL 2017, c. 200, §2 (AMD).]

3. Compensation. Members of the advisory committee are compensated in accordance with Title 5, chapter 379 . [PL 1997, c. 732, §4 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 11495 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 417-F / Section 11495
20-A §11495. Bonds
Status: in_force

1. Issuance; purpose; payment; authorization; interim receipts or certificates. The authority may issue bonds for the purposes of this chapter, including financing eligible loans, which may include originating eligible loans, including consolidation loans, financing loans to eligible lenders to fund the origination of eligible loans and acquiring existing portfolios of eligible loans from eligible lenders. The bonds of each issue must be authorized by the authority and be payable only from such sources specified in the agreement with bondholders, which may include, without limitation, payments on or with respect to eligible loans from any source, including sale proceeds; reserves established by the authority for the bonds; payments pursuant to agreements with financial institutions, credit unions, educational institutions or any governmental entity; payments pursuant to interest rate exchange agreements; investment earnings from funds or accounts maintained pursuant to a trust agreement or other document; proceeds of refunding bonds; and other fees, charges or revenues of the authority. Bonds issued by the authority for the purposes of this chapter, the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or any trust agreement securing such bonds may include such provisions, which may be part of the contract with the holders of the bonds of such issue and with any 3rd-party credit or liquidity provider or counterparties to interest rate exchange agreements, as the authority considers necessary or convenient to the security or issuance of the bonds, including without limitation: A. Specifying the terms of bonds, including the basis upon which interest accrues on those bonds, which may be fixed, variable, auction-based or adjustable; the date from which interest begins to accrue; the time and manner of principal payment upon scheduled maturity or redemption; the denominations and form, which may include coupon, registered, coupon and registered or book entry; and such privileges as to conversion and for the replacement of mutilated, lost or destroyed bonds as the authority may establish; [PL 2003, c. 455, §2 (NEW).] B. Providing that bonds be payable in lawful money of the United States at a designated place or be payable in another form of currency if the authority so designates and be considered to be negotiable instruments issued under the laws of the State within the meaning and for all purposes of Title 11, Article 3‑A , whether or not of the form or character to so qualify under the terms of Title 11, Article 3‑A , subject only to the applicable provisions of any trust agreement; [PL 2003, c. 455, §2 (NEW).] C. Providing that bonds be executed by the manual or facsimile signatures of the officers or designees of the authority; [PL 2003, c. 455, §2 (NEW).] D. Providing that bonds be sold in the manner and upon the terms determined by the authority at public or private sale, with or without public bidding; [PL 2003, c. 455, §2 (NEW).] E. Pledging or assigning revenues, contractual rights and other assets to secure the bonds; [PL 2003, c. 455, §2 (NEW).] F. Establishing loan funding deposits, debt service reserves, capitalized interest accounts, cost of issuance accounts and sinking funds and other accounts and their regulation, investment and disposition; [PL 2003, c. 455, §2 (NEW).] G. Providing for the issuance of additional bonds and refunding bonds; [PL 2003, c. 455, §2 (NEW).] H. Defining the acts or omissions that constitute a default in the duties of the authority or its obligations to bondholders and providing the rights or remedies of such bondholders in the event of a default; [PL 2003, c. 455, §2 (NEW).] I. Providing for guarantees, letters of credit, lines of credit, insurance policies, surety bonds, purchase agreements or similar instruments or other security for the benefit of the bondholders; [PL 2003, c. 455, §2 (NEW).] J. Providing for interest rate or exchange agreements; and [PL 2003, c. 455, §2 (NEW).] K. Any other matter relating to the bonds that the authority determines appropriate. [PL 2003, c. 455, §2 (NEW).] [PL 2007, c. 520, §6 (AMD).]

2. Credit not pledged. Bonds issued under this chapter do not constitute or create any debt or liability on behalf of the State, of any political subdivision of the State or the authority, a loan of the credit of the State or a pledge of the faith and credit of the State, of any political subdivision of the State or the authority, but are payable solely from the funds provided for the payment of those bonds. All the bonds issued under this chapter must contain a statement to the effect that the State, any political subdivision of the State or the authority is not obligated to pay the bonds or the interest on the bonds, except from funds provided for the payment of those bonds pursuant to one or more agreements, and that neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the State or of any political subdivision of the State is pledged to the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or the interest on such bonds. The issuance of bonds under this chapter does not directly or indirectly or contingently obligate the State or any political subdivision of the State to levy or to pledge any form of taxation whatever or to make any appropriation for the bonds' payment. [PL 2003, c. 455, §2 (NEW).]

3. Liability of members. A member or employee of the authority or any person executing the bonds may not be held liable personally on the bonds or subject to any personal liability by reason of the issuance of the bonds. [PL 2003, c. 455, §2 (NEW).]

4. Interest rate exchange agreements. In connection with, or incidental to, the issuance or carrying of bonds issued under this chapter or carrying of any investment, the authority may enter into agreements with financial institutions or credit unions that the authority determines to be necessary or appropriate to place the obligation or investment of the authority, in whole or in part, on the interest rate, cash flow or other basis as determined by the authority. [PL 2003, c. 455, §2 (NEW).]

5. Purchasing, refunding or refinancing by authority. The authority may purchase its bonds out of any available funds and may hold, pledge, cancel or resell the bonds subject to and in accordance with agreements with bondholders. The authority may refund or refinance any of its bonds. [PL 2003, c. 455, §2 (NEW).]

6. Conclusive authorization. All bonds of the authority are conclusively presumed to be fully authorized and issued under the laws of the State, and any person or governmental unit is estopped from questioning their authorization, sale, issuance, execution or delivery by the authority. [PL 2003, c. 455, §2 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1703 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 105 / Section 1703
20-A §1703. Community school district assessments
Status: in_force

1. Community school district warrant. In accordance with the budget approved by the voters at the annual budget meeting and in substantially the same form as the warrant of the Treasurer of State for taxes, the district school committee shall issue its warrants to the assessors of each member municipality requiring them to assess upon the taxable estates within each municipality an amount that is that municipality's share of the community school district's costs. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

2. Municipality tax collector. The assessors of each member municipality shall commit the assessment to the constable or collector. The constable or collector shall have all the authority and powers to collect the community school district's taxes as are vested in the office by law to collect state, county and municipal taxes. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

3. Monthly installments. The district school committee shall notify the member municipalities of the monthly installments that will become payable during the fiscal year. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

4. Payment. Each municipal treasurer shall pay the amount of the tax assessed to the treasurer of the district. The payments shall be paid in monthly installments and shall be made on or before the 20th of each month. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

5. Gifts. A member municipality may use the proceeds from gifts or trust funds allocated for educational purposes to pay its share of the assessment. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

6. Enforcement. If a municipal treasurer fails to pay the installment due, or any part, on the dates required, to initiate collection procedures, the treasurer of the community school district may notify the municipal treasurer of the failure to pay. Interest accrues on each unpaid installment at the rate established under Title 36, section 186 beginning on the 60th day after the date the installment is due under subsection 4 . If payment of an installment is not made within 60 days after the due date, the treasurer of the district may initiate an action in Superior Court to compel payment of the delinquent installment. The court shall determine the amount owed by the municipality to the district and shall order the municipal treasurer to pay all delinquent installments, accrued interest and any court costs and reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the district. To ensure prompt payment of the delinquent installments, the court may require that amounts due to the municipality from the State under Title 30‑A, section 5681 and Title 36, sections 578 and 685 be paid to the district until the amount determined by the court is satisfied. The court shall promptly notify the disbursing state agency of the determination and direct the agency to make the required change in payee and the amounts to be paid. If additional funds are needed to satisfy the amount determined by the court to be paid to the district, the court may order the attachment or trustee process and sale of real or personal property owned by the municipality or the attachment of the municipality's bank accounts or require property tax payments to the municipality to be turned over to the court and may pay the amount owed the district from the proceeds and return any excess to the municipality. [PL 2003, c. 212, §2 (RPR).]

7. Delinquent payments to the Maine School Building Authority. If a community school district, which has financed school construction through the Maine School Building Authority, is delinquent in its payment to the authority, the department shall make payment to the authority on behalf of the community school district. Payments may be made from any amounts properly payable to the district not exceeding the amount then presently due to the authority or from the department to the community school district. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 953 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 1 / Chapter 13 / Section 953
20-A §953. Restrictions on operator's use of student data
Status: in_force

1. Prohibitions. An operator may not knowingly engage in any of the following activities with respect to the operator's website, service or application without explicit written or electronic consent from a student's parent or an eligible student: A. Use student data to engage in targeted advertising on the operator's website, service or application or targeted advertising on any other website, service or application when the targeting of the advertising is based upon any student data and state-assigned student identifiers or other persistent unique identifiers that the operator has acquired because of the use of the operator's website, service or application; [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).] B. Use student data, including state-assigned student identifiers or other persistent unique identifiers, created or gathered by the operator to amass a profile of a student except for kindergarten to grade 12 school purposes. For purposes of this paragraph, "amass a profile" does not include collection and retention of account information that remains under the control of a student, parent or school administrative unit; [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).] C. Sell student data. This prohibition does not apply to the purchase, merger or other type of acquisition of an operator by another entity as long as the operator or successor entity continues to be subject to the provisions of this section with respect to previously acquired student data subject to this chapter. [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).] D. Except as provided in subsection 3 , disclose student personally identifiable information, unless the disclosure is made: (1) To advance the kindergarten to grade 12 school purposes of the website, service or application, as long as the recipient of the student data disclosed: (a) May not further disclose the student data except to allow or improve operability and functionality of the website, service or application within that student's classroom or school; and (b) Is legally required to comply with the requirements of this chapter; (2) To ensure legal or regulatory compliance or protect against liability; (3) To respond to or participate in judicial process; (4) To protect the security or integrity of the operator's website, service or application; (5) To protect the safety of users or others; or (6) To a service provider, as long as the operator contractually: (a) Prohibits the service provider from using any student data for any purpose other than providing the contracted service to, or on behalf of, the operator; (b) Requires the service provider to impose the restrictions of this subsection on its own service providers; and (c) Requires the service provider to implement and maintain reasonable security procedures and practices as provided in subsection 2 . [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).]

2. Security procedures and practices. An operator shall: A. Implement and maintain reasonable security procedures and practices appropriate to the nature of the student data to protect that data from unauthorized access, destruction, use, modification and disclosure; and [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).] B. Delete student data within 45 days of a school's or school administrative unit's request. [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).]

3. Permitted disclosures. The following provisions apply to disclosure of student data by an operator. A. Notwithstanding subsection 1, paragraph D , and in accordance with subsection 1, paragraphs A , B and C , an operator may disclose student data under the following circumstances: (1) If another provision of federal or state law requires the operator to disclose the student data and the operator complies with applicable requirements of federal and state law in protecting and disclosing that information; (2) For legitimate research purposes: (a) As required by state or federal law and subject to the restrictions under applicable state and federal law; or (b) As allowed by state or federal law and under the direction of a school, a school administrative unit or the department; or (3) To a state agency, school administrative unit or school for kindergarten to grade 12 purposes, as permitted by state or federal law. [PL 2017, c. 288, Pt. A, §28 (AMD).] B. Nothing in this section prohibits an operator from using student data, including student personally identifiable information, as follows: (1) For maintaining, delivering, developing, supporting, evaluating, improving or diagnosing the operator's website, service or application; (2) Within other websites, services or applications owned by the operator and intended for school or student use, to evaluate and improve educational products or services intended for school or student use; (3) For adaptive learning or customized student learning purposes; (4) For recommendation engines to recommend additional content or services for educational, other learning or job opportunities to students within the operator's website, service or application without the response being determined in whole or in part by payment or other consideration from a 3rd party; or (5) To ensure legal or regulatory compliance or to retain student data for these purposes. [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).] C. Nothing in this section prohibits an operator from using or sharing aggregate student data or data from which personally identifying information has been removed as follows: (1) For the development and improvement of the operator's website, service or application or other educational websites, services or applications; or (2) To demonstrate or market the effectiveness of the operator's products or services. [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2017, c. 288, Pt. A, §28 (AMD).]

4. Construction. The following provisions govern the application and construction of this chapter. A. This chapter may not be construed to limit the authority of a law enforcement agency to obtain any content or student data from an operator as authorized by law or pursuant to an order of a court of competent jurisdiction. [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).] B. This chapter does not apply to general audience Internet websites, general audience online services, general audience online applications or general audience mobile applications even if login credentials created for an operator's site, service or application may be used to access those general audience sites, services or applications. [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).] C. This chapter may not be construed to restrict Internet service providers from providing Internet connectivity to schools or students and their families. [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).] D. This chapter may not be construed to prohibit an operator from marketing educational products directly to parents so long as the marketing does not result from the use of student data obtained without parental consent by the operator through the provision of services covered under this section. [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).] E. This chapter may not be construed to impose a duty upon a provider of an electronic store, gateway, marketplace or other means of purchasing or downloading software or applications to review or enforce compliance of this section on those applications or software. [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).] F. This chapter may not be construed to impose a duty upon a provider of an interactive computer service, as defined in 47 United States Code, Section 230, to review or enforce compliance with this section by 3rd-party content providers. [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).] G. This chapter may not be construed to impede the ability of a student or a student's parent to download, transfer or otherwise save or maintain student data or documents belonging to the student. [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).] H. Nothing in this chapter prevents this State or a school administrative unit or employee of this State or a school administrative unit from recommending, directly or via a product or service, any educational materials, online content, services or other products to any student or the student's family if this State or a school administrative unit determines that such products will benefit the student and the State or school administrative unit does not receive compensation for developing, enabling or communicating such recommendations. [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).] I. Nothing in this chapter authorizes the dissemination of information in violation of section 6001 . [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2015, c. 256, §1 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 7405-B — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 4 / Chapter 304 / Section 7405-B
20-A §7405-B. Early intervention services
Status: in_force

1. Provision of early intervention services. The State's intermediate educational unit is responsible for the provision of early intervention services for children from birth to under 3 years of age who are deaf or hard of hearing. [PL 2021, c. 646, §6 (NEW).]

2. Responsibility for early intervention services. The center is responsible for the following early intervention services for children from birth to under 3 years of age who are deaf or hard of hearing in collaboration with the State's intermediate educational unit through a memorandum of understanding with the department: A. Statewide coordination of early intervention specialists, including but not limited to teachers of deaf students, speech-language pathologists, special education providers and occupational therapists specializing in deafness; [PL 2021, c. 646, §6 (NEW).] B. Special instruction through primary service delivery; [PL 2021, c. 646, §6 (NEW).] C. Consultations; and [PL 2021, c. 646, §6 (NEW).] D. Family training in American Sign Language and cued language. [PL 2021, c. 646, §6 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 646, §6 (NEW).]

3. Supports. The center is responsible for providing the following support to the State's intermediate educational unit: A. Statewide coordination of hearing assistive technology; [PL 2021, c. 646, §6 (NEW).] B. Statewide coordination of American Sign Language interpreting services and cued speech transliteration services; and [PL 2021, c. 646, §6 (NEW).] C. Assistance with the coordination of referrals, pursuant to Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Public Law 91-230, to the State's intermediate educational unit for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. [PL 2021, c. 646, §6 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 646, §6 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 5021-A — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 211 / Section 5021-A
20-A §5021-A. Standards for participation in public schools by students enrolled in equivalent instruction programs in private schools
Status: in_force

A school administrative unit shall conform to the following standards in making public school resources and services available to a student enrolled in an equivalent instruction program. For the purposes of this section, "student enrolled in an equivalent instruction program" means a student otherwise eligible to attend school in that school administrative unit, including a student who resides in the unorganized territory, when the student is enrolled in an equivalent instruction program in a private school that is recognized as an equivalent instruction alternative under section 5001‑A, subsection 3, paragraph A , subparagraph (1), division (b). [PL 2013, c. 428, §1 (AMD).]

1. Participation in cocurricular activities. A student enrolled in an equivalent instruction program is eligible to participate in cocurricular activities sponsored by the local school unit as long as the following requirements are met. A. The student or the student's parent or guardian, on behalf of the student, applies in writing to and receives written approval from the principal of the school or the principal's designee. The principal or the principal's designee may withhold approval only if the school does not have the capacity to provide the student with the opportunity to participate in the cocurricular activity. If approval is withheld, the principal or the principal's designee must provide a written explanation to the student or the student's parent or guardian stating the reason or reasons for the decision to withhold approval. [PL 2013, c. 428, §2 (AMD).] B. The student agrees to meet established behavioral, disciplinary, attendance and other rules applicable to all students. [PL 2011, c. 456, §1 (NEW).] C. The private school the student attends does not provide the same cocurricular activity. [PL 2013, c. 428, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2013, c. 428, §§2, 3 (AMD).]

2. Participation in extracurricular and interscholastic activities. A student enrolled in an equivalent instruction program is eligible to try out for extracurricular and interscholastic activities sponsored by the local school unit as long as the following requirements are satisfied. A. The student applies for and receives written approval from the principal of the school or the principal's designee, who may withhold such approval only if the school does not have the capacity to provide the student with the opportunity to participate in the extracurricular or interscholastic activity. If approval is withheld, the principal or the principal's designee must provide a written explanation to the student or the student's parent or guardian stating the reason or reasons for the decision to withhold approval. [PL 2013, c. 428, §4 (AMD).] B. The student agrees to abide by rules of participation equivalent to those applicable to regularly enrolled students participating in the activity and provides evidence that the rules of participation are being met. [PL 2011, c. 456, §1 (NEW).] C. The student complies with the same physical examination, immunization, insurance, age and semester eligibility requirements as regularly enrolled students participating in the activity. All required documentation must be made available upon request by the local school unit. [PL 2011, c. 456, §1 (NEW).] D. The student meets academic standards equivalent to those established for regularly enrolled students participating in the activity and provides evidence that the academic standards are being met. [PL 2011, c. 456, §1 (NEW).] E. The student abides by the same transportation policy as regularly enrolled students participating in the activity. [PL 2011, c. 456, §1 (NEW).] F. The private school the student attends does not provide the same extracurricular or interscholastic activity. [PL 2013, c. 428, §5 (NEW).] [PL 2013, c. 428, §§4, 5 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 7005 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 4 / Chapter 301 / Section 7005
20-A §7005. Special education (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 20-A, SECTION 7004)
Status: in_force

(REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 20-A, SECTION 7004)

1. Rulemaking. The commissioner is authorized to adopt rules necessary for the administration of this chapter and chapters 303 and 305 . These rules are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . The department shall identify in its regulatory agenda, when feasible, a proposed rule or provision of a proposed rule that is anticipated to be more stringent than the federal statute or regulation, if an applicable federal statute or regulation exists. During the consideration of any proposed rule, when feasible, and using information available to it, the department shall identify provisions of the proposed rule that the department believes would impose a regulatory burden more stringent than the burden imposed by the corresponding federal statute or regulation, if such a federal statute or regulation exists, and explain in a separate section of the basis statement the justification for the difference between the agency rule and the federal statute or regulation. [PL 2005, c. 662, Pt. A, §19 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 2303 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 111 / Section 2303
20-A §2303. Additional school committee members
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding section 2302 , a municipality may vote at its annual meeting to have up to 7 members on the school committee. [PL 2007, c. 668, §27 (AMD).]

1. Vote. The municipality may vote to expand its school committee at: A. Its annual meeting; or [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).] B. A special town meeting held at least 30 days before the annual meeting, if a municipality has accepted Title 30-A, section 2528 , relative to secret ballot. [PL 2007, c. 668, §27 (AMD).] [PL 2007, c. 668, §27 (AMD).]

2. Election of additional members. The municipality may, at its annual meeting, elect by ballot additional school committee members to serve with the members whose terms have not expired. [PL 2007, c. 668, §27 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 15692 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 7 / Chapter 606-B / Section 15692
20-A §15692. Special school districts
Status: in_force

1. School administrative unit. For the purposes of section 15695 , a special school district is deemed to be a school administrative unit. [PL 2019, c. 398, §37 (AMD).]

2. Debt service. Debt service on bonds or notes issued by a special school district must be included in the school budget of the school administrative unit that operates the schools constructed by that district. The school board for the school administrative unit that operates the special district's schools shall pay to the special school district all sums necessary to meet the payments of principal and interest on bonds or notes when due and to cover maintenance or other costs for which the special school district is responsible. [PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §62 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1478 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 103-A / Section 1478
20-A §1478. Local school committees
Status: reserved

1. Formation. A reorganization plan under section 1461 or a regional school unit board may authorize the formation of a local school committee for a member municipality established in accordance with chapter 111, subchapter 1 . [PL 2007, c. 668, §10 (NEW).]

2. Delegation of functions. A reorganization plan that has been approved in accordance with subchapter 2 or a regional school unit board may delegate a local school committee to perform any duties, functions and services other than those reserved to the regional school unit under subchapter 1 . The core functions provided by a regional school unit pursuant to section 1452 may be supplemented at the expense of any member municipality. [PL 2007, c. 668, §10 (NEW).]

3. Budget responsibility. A reorganization plan that has been approved in accordance with subchapter 2 or a regional school unit board may authorize a local school committee to present to the board a proposed budget for the local school in a form that is consistent with section 1485 . The proposed local school budget must be submitted in time to be included in the budget for the regional school unit. Proposed expenditures that are not included in the regional school unit budget may be separately appropriated by the municipality to be expended by the regional school unit in accordance with the appropriation. Supplemental municipal appropriations for education are not subject to section 1486 . [PL 2007, c. 668, §10 (NEW).]

4. Title to property. School property overseen by a local school committee may be owned either by the municipality or by the regional school unit as long as there is a clear allocation of responsibilities for management of all of the school property in the regional school unit. [PL 2007, c. 668, §10 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 15680 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 7 / Chapter 606-B / Section 15680
20-A §15680. Per-pupil amounts not related to staffing
Status: in_force

1. Additional cost components. The commissioner shall calculate one set of per-pupil amounts for each of the following cost categories to be applied to the elementary school level and middle school level and shall calculate another set of per-pupil amounts for each of the following cost categories to be applied to the high school level: A. [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §34 (RP).] B. Operation and maintenance of plant. The per-pupil amount for "operation and maintenance of plant" is the actual operation and maintenance of plant expenditures, as defined in the State's accounting handbook for local school systems, for the most recent year available excluding expenditures for leases and the purchase of land and buildings, divided by the average October and April enrollment counts for that fiscal year and then inflated to an estimated allocation year level by a 10-year average increase in the Consumer Price Index or other comparable index. For school year 2008-2009, the resulting per-pupil amount must be reduced by 5%; [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §26 (AMD).] C. Supplies and equipment; [PL 2003, c. 504, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] D. Cocurricular and extracurricular activities; [PL 2003, c. 504, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] E. Professional development; and [PL 2003, c. 504, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] F. Instructional leadership support. [PL 2003, c. 504, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §34 (AMD).]

2. Fiscal year 2005-06. [PL 2021, c. 571, §28 (RP).]

3. Fiscal year 2006-07 and beyond. For fiscal year 2006-07 and for each subsequent year, the commissioner shall recalculate the per-pupil amounts for additional cost components under subsection 1 using the amounts approved by the state board for the previous year as a base and including appropriate trends in the Consumer Price Index or other comparable index. [PL 2021, c. 571, §29 (AMD).]

4. Review; approval. [PL 2005, c. 519, Pt. AAAA, §6 (RP).]
20-A M.R.S. § 3657 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 121 / Section 3657
20-A §3657. General school laws
Status: in_force

With respect to the operation and maintenance of any school of the district located in Maine, the provisions of Maine law shall apply except as otherwise provided in this compact and except that the powers and duties of the school board shall be exercised and discharged by the interstate board and the powers and duties of the superintendent shall be exercised and discharged by the interstate district superintendent. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 10964 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 412 / Section 10964
20-A §10964. Actions against university
Status: in_force

Neither any trustee of the university nor any officer, employee or agent of the university, while acting within the scope of the authority of this chapter, may be subject to any personal liability resulting from the exercise or carrying out of any of the university's purposes or powers. [PL 1987, c. 735, §14 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 10003 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 401 / Section 10003
20-A §10003. Fees for degrees
Status: in_force

An officer of a post-secondary institution may not receive as prerequisite a fee for a degree granted by the institute. Fees of this type shall be paid into the institution treasury. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 12923 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 439 / Section 12923
20-A §12923. Maine Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Loan Fund
Status: in_force

1. Fund established. The Maine Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Loan Fund is created as a nonlapsing, interest-earning, revolving fund to carry out the purposes of this chapter. [PL 2015, c. 435, §1 (NEW).]

2. Funds. The authority may receive, invest and expend on behalf of the fund money from gifts, grants, bequests and donations, in addition to money appropriated or allocated by the Legislature to the fund and any federal funds received by the State for the benefit of students in this State who have outstanding education loans. Money received by the authority on behalf of the fund must be used for the purposes of this chapter. Interest income may be used for the designated purpose or to pay administrative costs incurred by the authority as determined appropriate by the authority. Any unexpended balance in the fund carries forward for continued use under this chapter. [PL 2015, c. 435, §1 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 6691 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 223 / Section 6691
20-A §6691. Student Homelessness Prevention Program
Status: in_force

The Student Homelessness Prevention Program, referred to in this section as "the program," is established within the department in the office of the department responsible for school and student supports. [PL 2025, c. 453, §1 (NEW).]

1. Purpose. The purpose of the program is to help elementary students and secondary students avoid homelessness by identifying students and families of students who are at risk of homelessness and providing direct financial assistance to help them maintain stable permanent housing. [PL 2025, c. 453, §1 (NEW).]

2. Fund established. The Student Homelessness Prevention Fund is established as a nonlapsing fund within the department for the purposes of supporting the program. The fund may receive money from any available state, federal or private source. [PL 2025, c. 453, §1 (NEW).]

3. Program requirements. The department shall provide a local educational agency liaison for students experiencing homelessness designated pursuant to the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001, 42 United States Code, Section 11431 et seq. The liaison shall: A. Identify students who are at risk of homelessness but not yet homeless; and [PL 2025, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] B. In addition to any federal assistance available, provide up to $750 per academic year to the family or guardian of a student at risk of homelessness for services authorized under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001, in addition to other housing-related needs such as rental assistance, utilities, critical home repairs and other assistance that will help the student avoid homelessness. [PL 2025, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 453, §1 (NEW).]

4. Assistance not income or asset. Financial assistance received under the program is not income for purposes of the State's income tax laws and is not income or an asset for the purposes of determining eligibility for or the benefit amount to be paid from any public assistance program administered by the State or by a municipality pursuant to Title 22, chapter 1161. [PL 2025, c. 453, §1 (NEW).]

5. Rules. The department may adopt rules to implement the program. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2025, c. 453, §1 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 6905 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 226 / Section 6905
20-A §6905. Adoption of bylaws
Status: in_force

The corporation shall adopt bylaws consistent with this chapter for the governance of its affairs and has the general powers accorded corporations under Title 13‑C, section 302 . The corporation shall do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the lawful purposes of the corporation under this chapter. [RR 2001, c. 2, Pt. B, §38 (COR); RR 2001, c. 2, Pt. B, §58 (AFF).]
20-A M.R.S. § 8467 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 4 / Chapter 313 / Section 8467
20-A §8467. Sale of career and technical education region capital assets
Status: in_force

1. Sale of capital assets. A region may sell any of its buildings, equipment or other capital assets if the sale is in compliance with the conditions of any indebtedness issued to finance such assets and if the sale is approved by the state board. [PL 1991, c. 518, §31 (AMD).]

2. Use of proceeds of sale. The proceeds of a sale authorized by subsection 1 must be used as follows: A. The proceeds of the sale must first be used to pay or assure payment of outstanding indebtedness on the capital asset; [PL 1991, c. 518, §31 (AMD).] B. Any remaining proceeds must then be used to meet outstanding obligations of the region; and [PL 1991, c. 518, §31 (AMD).] C. Any remaining proceeds must then be paid to the department. [PL 1991, c. 518, §31 (AMD).] [PL 1991, c. 518, §31 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 9706 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 4 / Chapter 327 / Section 9706
20-A §9706. Rule-making authority
Status: in_force

The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this chapter and the funding scheme under the Essential Programs and Services Funding Act. [PL 2005, c. 683, Pt. A, §28 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 4703 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 207-A / Section 4703
20-A §4703. Instruction for individual students
Status: in_force

Elementary and secondary schools shall provide students with opportunities for learning in multiple pathways that may include the following: [PL 2009, c. 313, §7 (AMD).]

1. Career and technical education. Career and technical education; [PL 2009, c. 313, §7 (NEW).]

2. Alternative education programs. Alternative education programs; [PL 2009, c. 313, §7 (NEW).]

3. Apprenticeships. Apprenticeships; [PL 2009, c. 313, §7 (NEW).]

4. Career academies. Career academies; [PL 2009, c. 313, §7 (NEW).]

5. Advanced placements. Advanced placements; [PL 2009, c. 313, §7 (NEW).]

6. Online courses. Online courses; [PL 2009, c. 313, §7 (NEW).]

7. Adult education. Adult education; [PL 2009, c. 313, §7 (NEW).]

8. Dual enrollment. Dual enrollment; [PL 2023, c. 566, §2 (AMD).]

9. Gifted and talented programs. Gifted and talented programs; and [PL 2023, c. 566, §3 (AMD).]

10. Extended learning opportunities. Extended learning opportunities. [PL 2023, c. 566, §4 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 255 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 1 / Chapter 3 / Section 255
20-A §255. School administrative unit; reports, records, information
Status: in_force

1. Pamphlet of laws. The commissioner shall: A. Compile the amended school laws of the State in pamphlet form and distribute them to municipal and school officers; and [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] B. Prepare and issue biennially, with such content as the commissioner deems appropriate, circulars of information and advice to school officers relating to new school laws. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

2. Record books. The commissioner shall furnish to the school officers of each school administrative unit proper blank books in which they shall keep complete and itemized records of all matters relating to moneys appropriated, received and expended for schools. These books shall remain the property of the State. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

3. Forms. The commissioner shall: A. Prepare and print forms for all returns required by law or deemed necessary by the commissioner; [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] B. On March 1st, forward to each superintendent forms for the annual school return as provided in section 6004 ; and [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] C. On May 1st, forward to each superintendent forms for the returns required by sections 6051 and 6052 . [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

4. Maintaining records. The commissioner shall preserve all school reports of this State and of other states which the commissioner may receive, the returns from the various municipalities and institutions of learning and books, apparatus, maps, charts, works on education, plans for school buildings, models and other articles of interest to school officers and teachers as may be obtained without expense to the State. [PL 1983, c. 862, §51 (AMD).]

5. Information. The commissioner shall: A. Obtain information on school systems in this State and other states and other countries and the condition and progress of public education throughout the world; [RR 2009, c. 2, §41 (COR).] B. Disseminate this information, with practical hints upon the conduct of schools, improved systems of instruction and the true theory of education by public addresses, circulars and articles prepared for the press; [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] C. Disseminate this information by outlines, suggestions and directions concerning the management, discipline and methods employed in teaching to teachers and school officers of the State; and [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] D. Do all in the commissioner's power to awaken and sustain an interest in education among the people and to stimulate school officers, teachers and other educational personnel to well directed efforts in their work. [PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. B, §§2, 4 (AMD).] [RR 2009, c. 2, §41 (COR).]

6. Parental involvement initiatives; post. Beginning with the 2013-2014 school year, a school administrative unit that adopts a parental involvement initiative may submit a copy of that initiative to the department, and the commissioner shall post that initiative on the department's publicly accessible website. The commissioner also shall post on the department's publicly accessible website links to the publicly accessible websites of those school administrative units that have chosen to adopt districtwide parental involvement initiatives as school board policy and that have submitted those initiatives to the department. [PL 2011, c. 571, §2 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 13112 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 6 / Chapter 502-C / Section 13112
20-A §13112. Establishment
Status: in_force

Beginning July 1, 2020, a regional school leadership academy may be established under a collaborative agreement. [PL 2019, c. 70, §5 (NEW).]

1. Regional school leadership academy mission. The mission of an academy is to enhance the quality of the preservice and in‑service staff training programs for school principalship and other school leadership positions, to improve the distribution, supply and quality of school leadership personnel in underserved school administrative units in the State and to develop appropriate professional development pathways at participating schools in the academy. To fulfill its mission, the academy shall work in coordination with educational leadership mentors and coaches and with high‑performing educational leaders employed within the collaborative partnership. [PL 2019, c. 70, §5 (NEW).]

2. Development of collaborative agreements; establishment of collaborative board. School administrative units may work in cooperation with educator preparation programs and statewide education associations to design a plan for a collaborative agreement that achieves efficiencies and reduces costs in the delivery of programs and support services for preservice and in‑service staff training for teachers, principals and other school leaders. School administrative units that work in cooperation with educator preparation programs and statewide education associations to design a plan for a collaborative agreement shall establish a collaborative board. A collaborative board is the governing body of a regional school leadership academy. The plan for the collaborative agreement must be consistent with the following goals: A. Improving student learning and development by providing preparation, training and support for teachers, principals and other school leaders that enable students in their schools to graduate ready for college and careers; [PL 2019, c. 70, §5 (NEW).] B. Identifying and recruiting prospective candidates for school principalship and other school leadership positions; [PL 2019, c. 70, §5 (NEW).] C. Improving recruitment strategies, including contracting with a marketing or branding firm to build recruitment strategies that coach school administrators how to make effective proposals to prospective candidates that would entice them to consider becoming a principal or school leader; [PL 2019, c. 70, §5 (NEW).] D. Establishing and maintaining long-term partnerships with school administrative units in the region that create and maintain a skilled and adaptable school principalship and school leadership preparation program; [PL 2019, c. 70, §5 (NEW).] E. Enhancing the recruitment, preservice training, education and preparation opportunities for teachers, principals and other school leaders in this State to allow them to prepare for future school principalship and other school leadership positions in schools in the State; [PL 2019, c. 70, §5 (NEW).] F. Providing teachers, principals and other school leaders in this State who seek to upgrade their education, skills and credentials in order to facilitate their career advancement and enhance their job security; [PL 2019, c. 70, §5 (NEW).] G. Establishing, at a minimum, 2 years of programming to support the implementation of school leadership induction and mentoring programs that promote excellence in school leadership, improve classroom instruction, enhance student achievement, build a supportive environment within school administrative units, increase the retention of promising school leaders and promote the personal and professional well‑being of school leaders; [PL 2019, c. 70, §5 (NEW).] H. Creating and promoting a selection process for mentors that enhances the support for newly hired principals and other school leaders; and [PL 2019, c. 70, §5 (NEW).] I. Creating a budget to provide resources for the academy's programs, collaborative organizational structures and program evaluation and a plan for the academy's sustainability. [PL 2019, c. 70, §5 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 70, §5 (NEW).]

3. Approval. The collaborative agreement plan under subsection 2 must be approved by the collaborative board before the collaborative agreement becomes effective. [PL 2019, c. 70, §5 (NEW).]

4. State assistance. The department and the state board may provide the following services and resources to assist school administrative units that form a regional school leadership academy: A. Guidance to help school administrative units create the supports and conditions to promote professional development of their own leadership; [PL 2019, c. 70, §5 (NEW).] B. Facilitation of partnerships between state education policy officials from the department and the state board and education leadership professionals, educator preparation programs and statewide education associations to enhance the promotion of collaborative partnerships; and [PL 2019, c. 70, §5 (NEW).] C. Assistance and resources to regional school leadership academies to encourage teachers to become candidates for school leadership positions; to provide pathways for aspiring candidates to explore, study, practice and take on leadership roles in their schools; and to employ mentors and coaches to provide training for newly hired school principals and school leaders that improves their awareness of standards‑based instruction and learning and develops their leadership skills. Beginning in fiscal year 2020-21, the department shall consider providing the following resources: (1) Awarding state grant funds from the Fund for the Efficient Delivery of Educational Services pursuant to chapter 114‑A for academies that apply and qualify for such grants; and (2) Allocating state funding pursuant to section 15688‑A, subsection 9 to school administrative units that form a regional school leadership academy. [PL 2019, c. 70, §5 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 70, §5 (NEW).]

5. Gifts, grants and donations. School administrative units that enter into a collaborative agreement to form a regional school leadership academy may seek and accept public and private gifts, grants and donations to offset the costs of developing and implementing the collaborative agreement plan under subsection 2 for the regional school leadership academy. A gift, grant or donation received pursuant to this subsection must be approved prior to the receipt of the gift, grant or donation by the school boards for the school administrative units that enter into the collaborative agreement. [PL 2019, c. 70, §5 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 10981 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 412-B / Section 10981
20-A §10981. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).]

1. Account holder. "Account holder" means an eligible person who owns a family development account. [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).]

2. Community development organization. "Community development organization" means a charitable organization, a community action agency or a nonprofit organization under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, Section 501(c)(3) approved by the university to administer family development accounts. [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).]

3. Eligible person. "Eligible person" means an individual whose family income is below 200% of the nonfarm income official poverty line as defined by the federal Office of Management and Budget and revised annually in accordance with the United States Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, Section 673, subsection 2. [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).]

4. Family development account; account. "Family development account" or "account" means a financial instrument established pursuant to this chapter. [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).]

5. Family development account reserve fund. "Family development account reserve fund" means the fund created by a community development organization for the purposes of funding the administrative costs of the program and providing matching funds for deposit in family development accounts. [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).]

6. Financial institution. "Financial institution" means a credit union or financial institution authorized to do business in this State under Title 9‑B and that meets standards established by the university. [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).]

7. Program. "Program" means the family development account program administered by the university under this chapter. [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).]

8. University. "University" means the University of Maine System. [PL 2019, c. 239, §4 (NEW).]