An Act To Amend the Compulsory School Attendance Laws
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 1231
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: POULIOT, CAIN, DAUGHTRY, JOHNSON, MAKER, CUSHING
Amends: 20-A MRSA §5001-A

Legislative Document 
No. 1231 
H.P. 871 
House of Representatives, March 26, 2013 
An Act To Amend the Compulsory School Attendance Laws 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative POULIOT of Augusta. 
Cosponsored by Senator CAIN of Penobscot and 
Representatives: DAUGHTRY of Brunswick, JOHNSON of Greenville, MAKER of Calais, 
McCLELLAN of Raymond, Senator: CUSHING of Penobscot. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §5001-A, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 806, §49, is 
amended to read: 
1.  Requirement.  Persons 7 years of age or older and under 17 18 years shall attend 
a public day school during the time it is in regular session.  A person who enrolls in a 
school administrative unit in accordance with section 5201, subsection 2, paragraph B 
before the person is 7 years of age is required to remain in attendance at a public day 
school or at an alternative to attendance at a public day school in accordance with 
subsection 3.  
Sec. 2.  Commissioner of Education guidance to school officials on the 
enforcement of compulsory school attendance laws.  The Commissioner of 
Education shall communicate with school boards of school administrative units, 
superintendents, principals and other school officials to clarify the law regarding their 
legal obligations to enforce the compulsory school attendance laws that require children 
to be enrolled from 7 years of age to 18 years of age in a public school or an equivalent 
instruction alternative pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, chapter 211, 
subchapter 1 and related education statutes.  The enforcement guidance provided under 
this section must clarify that once a child who is under 7 years of age enrolls in school in 
accordance with Title 20-A, section 5201, subsection 2, paragraph B, the child is required 
to remain in attendance at a public day school or at an alternative to attendance at a public 
day school in accordance with Title 20-A, section 5001-A. 
Sec. 3.  Commissioner of Education guidance to school officials on the 
enforcement of laws related to student eligibility for certain federal and state 
welfare programs.  The Commissioner of Education shall communicate with school 
boards of school administrative units, superintendents, principals and other school 
officials to clarify the law with regard to their obligations to document and maintain 
student enrollment, attendance and graduation information related to student eligibility 
for certain federal and state welfare benefits and student eligibility for supplemental 
security income for children with disabilities.  The Commissioner of Education shall 
distribute a letter to the school officials listed above that provides nonregulatory guidance 
that clarifies the federal and state requirements for certifying school enrollment, 
attendance and graduation information provided by students who are seeking certain 
federal and state welfare benefits, including benefits under supplemental security income 
for children who are students. 
SUMMARY 
This bill amends the laws related to compulsory school attendance in order to 
improve the enforcement of federal and state requirements pertaining to compulsory 
school attendance in the State. The bill: 
1. Changes the law regarding compulsory school age by:  
A.  Providing that a child who enrolls in a public day school before the child is 7 
years of age is required to remain in attendance at a public day school or at an 
equivalent instruction alternative to attendance at a public day school in accordance 
with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 5001-A, subsection 3; and 
B.  Changing the age when a child may stop attending school from 17 to 18 years of 
age; 
2.  Directs the Commissioner of Education to provide guidance to school boards, 
superintendents, principals and other school officials pertaining to the enforcement of the 
compulsory school attendance laws that require children to be enrolled from 7 years of 
age to 18 years of age in a public school or an equivalent instruction alternative.  The 
enforcement guidance provided must clarify that a child who enrolls in a school 
administrative unit before the child is 7 years of age as allowed under Title 20-A, section 
5201, subsection 2, paragraph B is required to remain in attendance at a public school or 
at an equivalent instruction alternative in accordance with Title 20-A, section 5001-A; 
and 
3.  Directs the Commissioner of Education to provide guidance to school boards, 
superintendents, principals and other school officials regarding enforcement of federal 
and state laws related to student eligibility for certain federal and state welfare benefits 
and supplemental security income for children with disabilities.