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LD 1285

An Act To Prohibit The Consideration Of Legacy Preferences Or Donor Preferences In Postsecondary Educational Institution Admissions

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Chip Curry and 7 co-sponsors

Prohibits Maine colleges and universities from using legacy or donor status in admissions, promoting fair, equity-focused enrollment; bill dead with no penalties outlined.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
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Bill Summary · LD 1285

Summary of LD 1285 (An Act To Prohibit The Consideration Of Legacy Preferences Or Donor Preferences In Postsecondary Educational Institution Admissions)

Overview

LD 1285 is a Maine bill titled “An Act To Prohibit The Consideration Of Legacy Preferences Or Donor Preferences In Postsecondary Educational Institution Admissions.” The bill’s purpose is to ban the consideration of legacy status (alumni family connections) and donor status (contributions) in admissions decisions for postsecondary educational institutions in Maine. The sponsor is Sen. Tipping (Penobscot). The measure was referred to the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee and is currently recorded as dead (DEAD) in the legislative files.

What the bill would do

  • Prohibit postsecondary educational institutions in Maine from considering legacy preferences or donor preferences in admissions decisions.
  • Impose a requirement that admissions policies not rely on whether an applicant is a child of an alumnus or donor.
  • Establish the framework for how admissions decisions must be made: free from legacy or donor influence, aligning with principles of equity in access to higher education.
  • The text provided does not include specific enforcement mechanisms or penalties; those details are not disclosed in the available material.

Key provisions (as inferred from the title and summary)

  • Prohibition on legacy considerations in admissions.
  • Prohibition on donor-based admissions preferences.
  • Applicability to postsecondary educational institutions (public and private) operating in Maine.
  • Expected alignment with admissions policy reform aimed at fairness and non-discrimination in the enrollment process.

Note: The available documents do not provide explicit definitions, exceptions, enforcement provisions, or reporting requirements. The summary focuses on the substantive policy aim indicated by the title.

Affected parties

  • Postsecondary educational institutions in Maine (both public universities/colleges and private colleges).
  • Prospective students seeking admission to Maine postsecondary institutions.
  • Admissions offices and policy-makers in Maine’s higher education system.

Fiscal impact

  • Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement: No fiscal impact.
  • Fiscal note approved: April 22, 2025.
  • Rationale: Implementing the prohibition is not expected to create additional state costs or savings beyond the status quo.

Procedural history and timeline

  • March 25, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs; printed and ordered sent forthwith.
  • March 25, 2025: In concurrence; reference to the committee.
  • April 28, 2025: Work session held; voted ONTP (Ought Not To Pass).
  • April 29, 2025: Reported Out - ONTP.
  • May 6, 2025: Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3, placed in Legislative Files (DEAD).
  • Status: Dead bill (not enacted into law) as of the latest actions.

Potential implications if enacted

  • Affects admissions policies by eliminating legacy and donor preferences, potentially standardizing admissions criteria.
  • Encourages equity-focused admission practices across Maine postsecondary institutions.
  • May lead to policy development or governance actions within institutions to document how admissions decisions are made, ensuring compliance.

Notes

  • LR reference: LR 1525(01).
  • Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs.
  • Sponsor: Sen. Tipping (Penobscot).
  • The bill’s current status reflects no path forward toward enactment, but it remains part of the legislative record for transparency and future reference.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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