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Bill > LD482

ME LD482

An Act to Expand Educational Opportunities and Broaden Educational Services for Students Enrolled in Equivalent Instruction Programs

summary

Introduced
02/06/2025
In Committee
02/06/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/27/2025

Introduced Session

132nd Legislature

Bill Summary

This bill modifies the provisions of law governing standards for participation in public school by students who are enrolled in equivalent instruction programs. Equivalent instruction programs include home instruction programs, private schools or other alternative arrangements approved by the Commissioner of Education. Current law provides different standards for participation in public school for students enrolled in home instruction programs as opposed to students enrolled in certain recognized private schools. The bill amends the law to provide one set of standards to apply to all types of equivalent instruction programs. The bill makes changes related to the approval process that a student enrolled in an equivalent instruction program must follow to participate in regular classes in a public school. These changes include eliminating the requirement that a student receive written approval from the superintendent or the superintendent's designee to enroll in or audit a course and modifying the terms used to describe the academic achievement a student must demonstrate in order to participate. The bill allows an equivalent instruction program to use facilities on property owned or leased by a library, community service organization, museum, performing arts venue, theater, cinema or church facility if the property is being used solely for the purpose of operating a type of facility described in the bill, the facility is or was actively used for one of those purposes within 5 years of any executed agreement for the equivalent instruction program to use that facility and the facility follows the state and local health, safety and welfare laws, codes and rules applicable to that facility, including fire safety and building safety.

AI Summary

This bill modifies the legal standards for students enrolled in equivalent instruction programs (such as home schooling, private schools, or other alternative educational arrangements) to participate in public school activities. The bill creates a more uniform set of rules for these students, replacing previous language that specifically referred to home-schooled students. Key changes include eliminating the requirement for written superintendent approval to enroll in or audit courses, and modifying the language around academic achievement standards for participation. The bill now allows equivalent instruction programs to use facilities owned by libraries, community organizations, museums, performing arts venues, theaters, cinemas, or churches, provided these facilities have been actively used for their intended purpose within the past five years and comply with local health, safety, and welfare regulations. The legislation standardizes provisions for students in equivalent instruction programs regarding participation in regular classes, academic credit, special education services, cocurricular and extracurricular activities, use of school facilities and equipment, and textbook borrowing. Additionally, the bill ensures that school administrative units can receive state subsidies for students who participate in partial on-site academic courses, with reimbursement rates based on the amount of time students spend in public school academic services.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (10)

Last Action

Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) (on 05/27/2025)

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