WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

LD 21

An Act To Update The Provision Of Law Concerning Student Codes Of Conduct In Order To Reflect Best Practices Regarding Behavioral Threat Assessment And Response

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Joe Rafferty

Requires school boards and SAUs to amend student code of conduct to adopt standardized threat assessment and response practices for identifying, evaluating, and addressing threats.

Signed by Governor
#codesofconduct #discipline #schoolpolicies
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 21

Summary of LD 21: An Act To Update The Provision Of Law Concerning Student Codes Of Conduct In Order To Reflect Best Practices Regarding Behavioral Threat Assessment And Response

Overview

LD 21 seeks to modernize Maine’s laws governing student codes of conduct by aligning them with current best practices for behavioral threat assessment and response. The bill aims to strengthen school safety and the management of behavioral concerns by ensuring school codes reflect standardized, evidence-based procedures for identifying, assessing, and responding to potential threats.

  • Status: Signed by the Governor (May 29, 2025)
  • Introduced: January 8, 2025
  • Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
  • Subject: Codes of Conduct, discipline, school policies

What the bill does

  • Requires local school administrative units (SAUs) and school boards to amend the student code of conduct to reflect best practices regarding behavioral threat assessment and response.
  • Emphasizes adoption of procedures that align with contemporary threat assessment and response frameworks within student discipline policies.
  • Delegates the responsibility for updating codes to school boards, with the expectation that the revised codes implement standardized processes for identifying, evaluating, and responding to threats or concerning behaviors.

Note: The bill text itself would provide the precise procedural details, definitions, and timelines. The summary above captures the bill’s core objective as described in accompanying statements.

Key provisions and changes (as described in available documents)

  • Mandate: School boards must amend the student code of conduct to incorporate best practices on behavioral threat assessment and response.
  • Alignment: Updates are intended to reflect current guidance and standards for assessing and responding to potential behavioral threats in school settings.
  • Scope: Applies to local SAUs and their school codes of conduct, impacting how student behavior and safety-related actions are addressed at the district level.

Affected entities

  • Local school administrative units (SAUs)
  • School boards (within SAUs)
  • Students and families (through the student code of conduct)
  • School staff involved in safety, discipline, and threat assessment

Fiscal impact

  • Preliminary and final fiscal notes indicate a minor cost increase to SAUs associated with amending the student codes of conduct.
  • The fiscal impact is described as not expected to be significant, with costs borne by local school administrative units.

Legislative history and timeline

  • 2025-01-08: Bill introduced
  • 2025-03-21: Carried over to the next session per Joint Order SP 519 (as filed)
  • 2025-05-09 to 2025-05-22: Work sessions, committee reports, and multiple readings
  • 2025-05-21 to 2025-05-22: Bill advanced through readings and votes
  • 2025-05-27: Passed to be enacted; sent for concurrence
  • 2025-05-29: Signed by the Governor (becomes law)

Implementation considerations

  • Local adoption: SAUs will need to revise their student codes of conduct and may incur minor administrative costs to implement updated procedures.
  • Compliance and training: Districts may require staff training and integration with existing threat assessment processes.
  • Monitoring: Schools may establish or enhance coordination with district-level safety and behavioral health resources to ensure effective implementation.

This summary highlights the bill’s primary purpose, anticipated effects, and key timeline milestones based on the available fiscal notes and legislative actions.

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

Sign in to ask a question.