An Act to Allow
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 2204
Committee Amendment CA_A_S600 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "/4" to S.P. 897, L.D. 2204, "An Act to Allow
Schools to Expel Students for Committing Sexual Assault"
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following:
'Resolve, Directing the Department of Education to Develop Guidance for School
Leaders to Ensure Supportive Measures! for Young Students Involved in Challenging,
Disruptive or Unsafe Behaviors'
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and inserting the following:
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, young students in preschool through grade 5 are in critical stages of social,
emotional and behavioral development; and
Whereas, challenging, disruptive or unsafe student behaviors may arise from
developmental challenges, trauma, disability, unmet social-emotional needs or
environmental stressors; and
Whereas, schools must ensure that responses to such behaviors support both the
student exhibiting the behavior and the students affected by the behavior; and
Whereas, school administrators and educators benefit from clear guidance regarding
supportive, developmentally appropriate and evidence-based practices; and
Whereas, timely development of such guidance will assist school administrative units
in promoting safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments; aud
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
therefore, be it
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " A " to S.P. 897, L.D. 2204 f 5' k^°
Sec. 1. Department of Education to develop guidance. Resolved: That the
Department of Education, referred to in this resolve as "the department," shall develop and
disseminate guidance for school administrative units and school leaders regarding the
implementation of supportive measures for students up to 11 years of age who exhibit or
are affected in school settings by challenging, disruptive or unsafe student behaviors,
including aggressive or sexualized behaviors.
Sec. 2. Scope of guidance. Resolved: That the guidance developed pursuant to
section 1 must include, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Deveiopmentally appropriate responses to student behaviors for students in
preschool through grade 5;
2. Trauma-informed and restorative practices that emphasize prevention, de-escalation
and relationship building;
3. Supportive interventions designed to assist students exhibiting challenging,
disruptive or unsafe behaviors while maintaining the safety and well-being of other
students and school staff;
4, Strategies to support students affected by challenging, disruptive or unsafe
behaviors, including aggressive or sexualized behaviors, to ensure classroom supports and
communication with families;
5. Guidance on collaboration with school counselors, psychologists, social workers,
special education staff and community-based behavioral health providers;
6, Recommendations for professional development for educators and school
administrators related to early childhood behavioral development and positive behavioral
supports; and
7, Strategies to reduce exclusionary discipline for young students while maintaining
safe and orderly learning environments.
See. 3. Stakeholder consultation. Resolved; That, in developing guidance
pursuant to section 1, the department shall consult with stakeholders, including, but not
limited to, the following:
1. School administrators and educators from elementary schools;
2, School psychologists, counselors and social workers from elementary schools;
3, Experts in child development and behavioral health;
4, Parents and guardians of students up to 11 years of age;
5, Organizations representing educators and school personnel, including, but not
limited to, the Maine School Management Association and the Maine Education
Association; and
6, Representatives of child advocacy and mental health organizations.
Sec. 4. Dissemination and technical assistance. Resolved: That the
department shall disseminate the guidance developed pursuant to section 1 to school
administrative units no later than the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year. The
department shall make the guidance publicly available and provide technical assistance to
school administrative units to support implementation of the recommended practices.
Page2-132LR2978(02)
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "/L " to S.P, 897, L.D. 2204 ( ^>' [Q^
Sec. 5. Report. Resolved: That, no later than January 15, 2027, the department
shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction
over education matters summarizing the guidance developed pursuant to this resolve and
any recommendations for legislation or additional resources needed to support school
leaders in implementing supportive measures for young students. The joint standing
committee may report out a bill to the 133rd Legislature in 2027,
Sec. 6. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following
appropriations and allocations are made,
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
School and Student Supports Z270
Initiative: Provides one-time funding for the development and dissemiuation of guidance
related to supportive measures for young students who exhibit or are affected by
challenging, disruptive or unsafe behaviors and technical assistance to support
implementation of the recommended practices.
GENERAL FUND 2025-26 2026-27
All Other $15,000 $0
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $15,000 $0
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
takes effect when approved.'
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section
number to read consecutively.
SUMMARY
This amendment replaces the bill with a resolve. The amendment directs the
Department of Education to develop guidance related to supportive measures for young
students who exhibit or are affected by challenging, disruptive or unsafe behaviors in
school settings. The amendment provides that the guidance must include, but is not limited
to, developmentally appropriate behavioral responses for young students; trauma-infonned
and restorative practices; supportive interventions; strategies to support students aflfected
by challenging, dismptive or unsafe behaviors, including aggressive or sexualized
behaviors; guidance on collaboration with appropriate school personnel and mental health
professionals; recommendations for professional development; and strategies to reduce
exclusionary discipline for young students. The amendment requires the department to
develop this guidance in consultation with stakeholders. The department must disseminate
the guidance to schools no later than the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year and
provide technical assistance to support implementation of recommended practices. The
department must also submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature
having jurisdiction over education matters by January 15, 2027 summarizing the guidance.
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
^^ COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " ^" to S.P, 897, L,D. 2204 [^- (^(?0)
^
The joint standing committee is authorized to report out a bill to the 133rd Legislature in
2027.
The amendment also provides a one-time appropriation of $15,000 to the Department
of Education to develop and disseminate guidance as required by this amendment and
provide technical support to implement recommendations.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)
Page4-132LR2978(02)
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Approved; 03/25/26 t-KL
LD 2204 LR 2978(02)
An Act to Allow Schools to Expel Students for Committing Sexual Assault
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "/|" ( c ,
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Projections Projections
FY 2025-26 FY 2026-27 FY 2027-28 FY 2028-29
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $15,000 $0 $0 $0
.ppropriations/Allocations
General Fund $15,000 $0 $0 $0
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This resolve includes a one-time General Fund appropriation to the Department of Education of $15,000 in fiscal year
2025-26 to develop, in consultation with stakeholders, guidance related to supportive measures for young students
who exhibit or are affected by challenging, disruptive, or unsafe behaviors, disseminate the guidance to schools no
later than the beginning of the 2026-27 school year, and provide technical assistance to support implementation of
recommended practices.
LR2978(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1