Resolve, to Establish a Hybrid Juris Doctor Program at the
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1162
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: FREDETTE

Legislative Document
No. 1162
H.P. 767
House of Representatives, March 20, 2025
Resolve, to Establish a Hybrid Juris Doctor Program at the 
University of Maine School of Law to Address Access to Justice in 
Rural Maine
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative FREDETTE of Newport.
Sec. 1.  Establishment of hybrid juris doctor program at University of 
Maine School of Law; report.  Resolved:  That, by the beginning of the 2027-2028 
academic year, the University of Maine System shall establish at the University of Maine 
School of Law a hybrid juris doctor program, referred to in this section as "the program," 
that allows a student enrolled in the program to fulfill the degree requirements for a juris 
doctor primarily through online course work with periodic in-person instruction.  The 
program must be designed to: 
1.  Prioritize the enrollment of students from rural areas of the State who demonstrate 
a commitment to practicing law in underserved communities in the State upon graduation;
2.  Offer academic and professional training and educational opportunities to enrolled 
students that are the same or substantially equivalent to such opportunities offered to 
students enrolled in the school’s traditional in-person juris doctor program;
3.  Implement technology for use in the program that delivers high-quality, accessible 
online instruction to enrolled students;
4.  Partner with law firms, businesses and community organizations to provide local 
mentoring, internship and employment opportunities for enrolled students; and
5.  Be funded through a self-sustaining model that combines tuition revenue, including 
tuition payments from students enrolled in the program, with funding partnerships with 
local law firms, businesses and community organizations and any grants, private donations 
or state or federal funding available to support the implementation and operation of the 
program.
No later than January 1, 2026, the University of Maine System shall submit a report to 
the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs outlining its plan for 
implementation of the program at the University of Maine School of Law by the beginning 
of the 2027-2028 academic year.  The report must include, but is not limited to, a 
description of the rules, policies and procedures necessary for program implementation; a 
detailed timeline for program implementation, including development, faculty recruitment 
and student enrollment; an estimated budget for the program and identified funding 
strategies for ensuring program sustainability; and recommendations for necessary 
legislative or other action, including proposed legislation.  After reviewing the report, the 
committee may report out legislation related to the report to the Second Regular Session of 
the 132nd Legislature.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the University of Maine System, by the beginning of the 2027-
2028 academic year, to establish at the University of Maine School of Law a hybrid juris 
doctor program that allows a student enrolled in the program to fulfill the degree 
requirements for a juris doctor primarily through online course work with periodic in-
person instruction.  
Among other things, the program must be designed to prioritize the enrollment of 
students from rural areas of the State who demonstrate a commitment to practicing law in 
underserved communities in the State upon graduation; offer academic and professional 
training and educational opportunities to enrolled students that are the same or substantially 
equivalent to such opportunities offered to students enrolled in the school’s traditional, in-
person juris doctor program; and implement technology for use in the program that delivers 
high-quality, accessible online instruction to enrolled students.
No later than January 1, 2026, the University of Maine System is required to submit a 
report to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs outlining its plan 
for implementation of the hybrid juris doctor program at the University of Maine School 
of Law by the beginning of the 2027-2028 academic year.  After reviewing the report, the 
committee may report out related legislation.