An Act To Expand Educational Opportunities for Maine Students
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1854
Committee Amendment CA_A-HA_B_H901 (House)
Amends: 20-A MRSA §5205

HOUSE AMENDMENT" B" to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 1372, 
L.D. 1854, Bill, "An Act To Expand Educational Opportunities for Maine Students" 
Amend the amendment by striking out all of the first indented paragraph and all of 
the substitute title (page 1, lines 11 to 14 in amendment) 
Amend the amendment by striking out all of sections 1 to 3 and inserting the 
following: 
'Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §5205, sub-§6-A is enacted to read: 
6-A. Interdistrict enrollment policies. The school boards of 2 or more school 
administrative units may adopt mutual policies allowing the transfer of students, with 
parental approval, among the participating units. The policies must set forth procedures 
and standards governing the transfers, including but not limited to the school year or 
years in which the policy applies, application procedures and standards of responsibility 
for transportation and special education. Each school board adopting a policy under this 
subsection shall file a copy of the policy with the department prior to the effective date of 
that policy and shall provide timely notice of the policy to residents of the school 
administrative unit governed by that school board. For the purposes of chapter 606-B, a 
student transferred under this subsection is considered a resident of the school 
administrative unit to which the student transferred. 
Sec. 2. Department of Education to convene a stakeholder group to 
develop a public school choice model. 
The Commissioner of Education, or a 
designee of the commissioner, shall convene a stakeholder group and shall invite the 
participation of a representative from the Maine School Board Association, the Maine 
Principals' Association, the Maine Education Association and the Maine Administrators 
of Services for Children with Disabilities; a superintendent from a rural part of the State 
and a superintendent from an urban part of the State, named by the Maine School 
Superintendents Association; and 6 other members, including parents and others with an 
interest in education issues, appointed by the Governor. The stakeholder group shall 
develop a publicly funded school choice model that addresses the difficulties inherent in 
transportation, funding, educating disadvantaged children and educating and transporting 
children receiving special education services. 
HOUSE AMENDMENT 
HOUSE AMENDMENT ~ 
"to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. l372, L.D. 1854 
The Commissioner of Education shall report the stakeholder group's findings, 
including a proposed public school choice model, to the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters by January 14, 2013. 
The 
committee is authorized to introduce a bill related to the report to the First Regular 
Session of the 126th Legislature. 
Sec. 3. 
Superintendents' agreements revisited. 
The Commissioner of 
Education shall communicate with superintendents and school boards of school 
administrative units and clarify the law with regard to superintendents' agreements 
regarding placement of students and interdistrict enrollment policies pursuant to the 
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 5205, subsection 6-A.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment allows the school boards of 2 or more school administrative units to 
adopt a policy to allow the transfer of students, with parental approval, among 
participating school administrative units. 
This amendment requires the Commissioner of Education to convene a stakeholder 
group to develop a publicly funded school choice model. The amendment retains the 
reporting requirement specified in Committee Amendment "A" and the requirement that 
the commissioner communicate with the superintendents and school boards of school 
administrative units to clarify the law with regard to superintendents' agreements 
regarding student placement. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See, attached) 
SPONSORED BY: -"'b=-O-<A----'-:=.~_£~~'----"~~k.m~L___ 
(Representative RICHARDSON, D.) 
TOWN: Carmel 
HOUSE AMENDMENT 
• 
Approved: 04/03/12 
~ac 
LD 1854 
LR 2775(07) 
Resolve, To Require the Department of Education to Convene a Stakeholders Group To Recommend 
Changes to the Department of Education's Proposed School Choice Model 
Fiscal Note for House Amendment ':.8" to Committee Amendment" A" 
Sponsor: Rep. Richardson of Carmel 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
No State fiscal impact 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Allowing school boards of 2 or more school administrative units to adopt mutual policies allowing for the transfer of 
students among the participating units will not impact the total cost ofK-12 public education or the State's share of 
that cost. 
LR2775(07) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1