An Act to Ensure Equitable Staffing Ratios Across the State for
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1764
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: FECTEAU, RAFFERTY
Amends: 20-A MRSA §8309

Legislative Document
No. 1764
H.P. 1183
House of Representatives, April 23, 2025
An Act to Ensure Equitable Staffing Ratios Across the State for 
Career and Technical Education Programs in Areas with Smaller 
Student Populations
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Speaker FECTEAU of Biddeford.
Cosponsored by Senator RAFFERTY of York and
Representatives: ALBERT of Madawaska, CLUCHEY of Bowdoinham, FARRIN of Jefferson, 
MCCABE of Lewiston, STROUT of Harrington, WEBB of Durham, WOODSOME of 
Waterboro.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §8309 is enacted to read:
§8309.  Staffing ratios; funding distribution
1. Staffing ratios. A center or region shall maintain a minimum staffing ratio as 
follows:
A. At least one full-time employee for every 8 students enrolled for a center or region 
with fewer than 1,000 students; and
B. At least one full-time employee for every 13 students enrolled for a center or region 
with 1,000 or more students.
Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraphs A and B, a center or region may adopt a 
staffing ratio appropriate to the industry standard applicable to the program offered by the 
center or region, subject to the approval of the commissioner.
2. Funding distribution. Beginning in 2025, a center or region shall submit to the 
department annually by September 30th a calculation of the difference between the funding 
needed for the center or region to meet the staffing ratio requirements under subsection 1 
and the funding received by the center or region for the previous fiscal year.
Beginning in 2025, the department shall distribute additional available funds to a center or 
region by November 30th annually to meet the staffing requirements under subsection 1 
based on the annual calculation submitted by that center or region, giving preference for 
funding distribution to a center or region with fewer than 1,000 students.
SUMMARY
This bill requires a career and technical education center or region to maintain a certain 
staffing ratio based on the number of students enrolled at the center or region. The bill 
allows a center or region to adopt a staffing ratio appropriate to the industry standard 
applicable to the program offered by the center or region, subject to the approval of the 
Commissioner of Education. The bill also requires a center or region to submit to the 
Department of Education an annual calculation of the difference between the funding 
needed to meet the staffing ratio requirements and the funding the center or region received 
for the previous fiscal year. The bill requires the department to distribute additional 
available funds to a center or region by November 30th annually to meet the staffing 
requirements based on the annual calculation submitted by that center or region, giving 
preference for funding distribution to a center or region with fewer than 1,000 students.