The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is charged with adopting education rules to implement laws passed by the Maine Legislature. There are two types of rules – routine technical and major substantive. The Maine DOE sends all provisionally adopted rules to the Legislature for final adoption.
The Maine DOE’s rulemaking process infographic is available here.
The Maine DOE adopts all rules in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 MRSA chapter 375, subchapters 2 and 2-A. APA requires public and legislative notice of rulemaking and the submission of all major substantive rules to the Legislature for review and approval. All proposed Maine DOE and State Board of Education rule chapters are included below and have been filed with the Secretary of State’s Office.
For general questions, please email Maine DOE’s rulemaking liaison, Jaci Holmes at jaci.holmes@maine.gov. Specific Maine DOE staff members will be noted below for each proposed rule. Comments may be emailed with an electronic Word document attached.
Chapter 33
- Rule Title: Rule Governing Physical Restraint and Seclusion
- Filing Agency: This is a rule of the Maine Department of Education
- Action: Proposed Rulemaking
- Note: Targeted Rulemaking for only the Provisions on the Fact Sheet
- Notice: October 27, 2021
- Public Hearing: November 22, 2021
- Comment Deadline: December 3, 2021
- Proposed Language of Rule: Chapter 33
- To submit public comments regarding proposed Chapter 33 Rule change language, please use this form or, If you prefer to not use the webform, you may send your comments via email to: w.bear.shea@maine.gov.Please use the subject line: "Chapter 33 public comment"
Chapter 40
- Rule Title: Rule for Medication Administration in Maine Schools
- Filing Agency: This is a rule of the Maine Department of Education
- Action: Proposed Rulemaking
- Notice: October 27, 2021
- Public Hearing: November 22, 2021
- Comment Deadline: December 3, 2021
- Proposed Language of Rule: Provisional Adoption Chapter 40
Chapter 60
- Rule Title: New School Siting Approval
- Filing Agency: This is a rule of the State Board of Education
- Action: Proposed Rulemaking
- Note: Targeted Rulemaking for only the Provisions on the Fact Sheet
- Notice:
- Comment Deadline: October 19, 2021
- Proposed Language of Rule: Provisional Adoption Chapter 60
- Contact Person for Comments: jaci.holmes@maine.gov.
Chapter 61
- Rule Title: State Board of Education Rules for Major Capital School Construction Projects
- Filing Agency: This is a rule of the State Board of Education
- Action: Proposed Rulemaking
- Note: Targeted Rulemaking for only the Provisions on the Fact Sheet
- Notice:
- Comment Deadline: October 29, 2021
- Proposed Language of Rule: Provisional Adoption Chapter 61
- Contact Person for Comments: jaci.holmes@maine.gov.
Chapter 115
- Rule Title: The Credentialing of Education Personnel
- Filing Agency: This is a rule of the State Board of Education
- Action: Proposed Rulemaking
- Notice: Chapter 115 Notice posted July 29, 2021
- Public Hearing: August 16, 2021
- Comment Deadline: September 15, 2021
- Comment Period New for only Targeted Language Part II: October 27 - November 29. 2021. See Fact Sheet.
- Notice: October 27,2021
- Proposed Language of Rule: Chapter 115
- Contact Person for Comments: jaci.holmes@maine.gov.
Chapter 125
- Rule Title: Basic School Approval Standards: Public Schools and School Administrative Units
- Filing Agency: This is a joint rule of the Maine Department of Education and the State Board of Education
- Action: Proposed Rulemaking
- Note: Targeted Rulemaking for only the Provisions on the Fact Sheet
- Notice:
- Comment Deadline: October 29, 2021
- Proposed Language of Rule: Provisional Adoption Chapter 125
- Contact Person for Comments: jaci.holmes@maine.gov.
Chapter 126
- Rule Title: Immunization Requirements for School Children
- Filing Agency: This is a joint rule with the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services
- Action Proposed: Revision
- Notice: Chapter 126 / Chapter 261 Notice posted July 7, 2021
- Public Hearing: July 26, 2021
- Comment Deadline: August 5, 2021
- Effective Date of Rule: September 25, 2021
- Final Adoption of Rule Chapter 126 / Chapter 261 Language
- Summary of Comments and Responses (PDF format) Summary of Comments and Responses Chap 126 / Chap 261 9-14-21
Chapter 132
- Rule Title: Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction
- Filing Agency: This is a rule of the Maine Department of Education
- Action: Proposed Rulemaking
- Note: Only on sections for Health Education, Physical Education, World Languages, and Visual and Performing Arts
- Notice: October 27, 2021
- Public Hearing: November 22, 2021
- Comment Deadline: December 3, 2021
- Proposed Language of Rule: Provisional Adoption Chapter 132 Sections Health Education, Physical Education, World Languages, and Visual and Performing Arts
- Contact Person for Comments: beth.lambert@maine.gov
View all Maine DOE rule chapters on the Secretary of State's website.
Regulatory Agenda
The Regulatory Agenda describes all of the Maine Department of Education's possible rulemaking activity for the time period of July 2021 - August 2022. This listing of the Regulatory Agenda is prepared to comply with the Maine Administrative Procedures Act.
CONTACT
Chelsey Fortin-Trimble
Director of Policy and Government Affairs
207-816-0066
chelsey.a.fortin@maine.gov
Jaci Holmes
Federal and State Legislative Liaison
207-215-3003
207-831-3168
jaci.holmes@maine.gov