Proposed Rules & Rule Changes

As a state agency, the Department of Education is charged with adopting rules to implement laws passed by the Maine Legislature. This page lists the rule chapters to which the Department is proposing changes and the rule chapters the Department is proposing for the first time.

The Department adopts all rules in accordance with Maine's Administrative Procedure Act, which requires public and legislative notice of rulemaking and the submission of all major substantive rules to the Legislature for review and approval.

Note: A provisionally adopted rule is the version of the rule the Department of Education sends to the Legislature for final adoption. A provisionally adopted rule has gone through a process that offers the public an opportunity to comment.

Chapter 33

• Rule Description: Rule Governing Physical Restraint and Seclusion
• Action Proposed: Rule Revision
• Notice: Administrative Letter 70, Nov. 9, 2011
• Comment Deadline: Dec. 16, 2011
  • Comments and Responses
• Rule Language: Provisionally Adopted (PDF, 147KB)
• Note: The proposed revision to Chapter 33 follows a consensus-based rule development process. See the work of the Chapter 33 Consensus-Based Rule Development Group. See MRSA Title 5 §8051-B for information about the consensus-based rule development process.

Chapter 61

• Rule Description: Rules for Major Capital School Construction Projects
• Action Proposed: Rule Change
• Notice: Administrative Letter 62, Oct. 26, 2011
• Rule Status: Finally Adopted, Effective May 25, 2012
• Rule Language: View the Secretary of State's Rule Chapters page.

Chapter 64

• Rule Description: Maine School Facilities Program and School Revolving Renovation Fund
• Action Proposed: Rule Change
• Notice: Administrative Letter 59, Oct. 19, 2011
• Rule Status: Finally Adopted, Effective May 9, 2012
• Rule Language: View the Secretary of State's Rule Chapters page.

Please note the Department has proposed two separate rule changes to Chapter 101.

Chapter 101

• Rule Description: Maine Unified Special Education Regulation Birth to Age 20
• Action Proposed: Rule Change, Proposed to Reflect State Statutory Changes
• Notice: Administrative Letter 60, Oct. 19, 2011
• Comment Deadline: Nov. 11, 2011
  • Comments and Responses
• Rule Status: Finally Adopted, Effective May 10, 2012
• Rule Language: View the Secretary of State's Rule Chapters page.

Chapter 101

• Rule Description: Maine Unified Special Education Regulation Birth to Age 20
• Action Proposed: Rule Change, Proposed to Reflect Federal Part C (Birth-to-2) Regulations
• Notice: Administrative Letter 64, Oct. 31, 2011
• Comment Deadline: Dec. 30, 2011
  • Comments and Responses
• Rule Status: Finally Adopted, Effective May 10, 2012
• Rule Language: View the Secretary of State's Rule Chapters page.

Chapter 114

• Rule Description: Purpose, Standards and Procedures for the Review and Approval of Educational Personnel Preparation Programs
• Action Proposed: Rule Change
• Notice: Informational meeting scheduled April 23, 2012
• Rule Language: Proposed Changes (PDF, 983KB)
• More Information: Rule Change Background and Process

Chapter 115

• Rule Description: Certification, Authorization and Approval of Education Personnel
• Action Proposed: Rule Change
• Notice: Administrative Letter 68, Nov. 2, 2011
• Rule Status: Finally Adopted, Effective May 23, 2012
• Rule Language: View the Secretary of State's Rule Chapters page.

Chapter 122

• Rule Description: Fund for Efficient Delivery of Educational Services
• Action Proposed: Rule Adoption
• Notice: Administrative Letter 65, Nov. 2, 2011
• Rule Status: Finally Adopted, Effective April 25, 2012
• Rule Language: View the Secretary of State's Rule Chapters page.

Chapter 140

• Rule Description: Public Charter Schools
• Action Proposed: Rule Adoption
• Notice: Administrative Letter 69, Nov. 2, 2011
• Comment Deadline: Dec. 2, 2011
  • Comments and Responses
• Revised Rule Proposal: Provisionally Adopted (PDF, 128KB)

View all Maine Department of Education rule chapters on the Secretary of State's website.

Updated 05/02/2012