Proposed Rules and the Rulemaking Process

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 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.

 

Proposed Rules and Rule Changes

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:  Major Substantive
  • DOE Notice: November 2, 2023
  • Public Hearing:  November 21, 2023
  • Comment Deadline: December 1, 2023 
  • Proposed Language of the Rule: Chapter 61 Proposed Language

Chapter 41

  • Rule Title: Offering Instruction Related to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and the Use of an Automated External Defibrillator in Maine Public Schools
  • Filing Agency: This is a rule of the Maine Department of Education
  • Action:  Proposed Rulemaking
  • Note:  Targeted Rulemaking
  • DOE Notice: October 19, 2023
  • Public Hearing:  November 17, 2023
  • Comment Deadline:  November 27, 2023
  • Proposed Language of the Rule: Chapter 41 Proposed Language

Chapter 64

  • Rule Title: Maine School Facilities Program and School Revolving Renovation Fund
  • Filing Agency: This is a joint rule of the Maine Department of Education and the Maine Municipal Bond Bank
  • Action:  Proposed Rulemaking
  • Note:  Targeted Rulemaking
  • DOE Notice: October 19, 2023
  • Public Hearing:  November 17, 2023
  • Comment Deadline:  November 27, 2023
  • Proposed Language of the Rule: Chapter 64 Proposed Language

Chapter 101

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 Social Studies and Science, Technology and Engineering Standards
  • DOE Notice: October 12, 2023
  • Public Hearing:  October 30, 2023
  • Comment Deadline:  November 14, 2023
  • Proposed Language of the Rule: Social Studies Standards; Science, Technology, and Engineering Standards

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
  • Notice:  October 27, 2021
  • Notice: February 4, 2022
  • Comment Period: Closed
  • Effective Date of Rule:  August 6, 2023
  • Final Adoption of Rule Chapter 33 (correction of word processing error): Chapter 33 Language

Chapter 101 - Emergency

Chapter 117

 

For general questions, please email Maine DOE’s rulemaking liaison, Laura Cyr at laura.cyr@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.

    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 2023 - August 2024.  This listing of the Regulatory Agenda is prepared to comply with the Maine Administrative Procedures Act.  

    How to Get Involved:

    As the Maine Department of Education weighs proposed rule changes, there are numerous points in the process where stakeholder and public comment are solicited. This graphic provides an overview of the Rulemaking Process and highlights points for public input.

    Infographic of Maine's Rulemaking Process

     

    A PDF of Maine DOE’s rulemaking process infographic is available here.

     

    Related Links

     

    CONTACT

    Courtney Belolan
    Director of Policy and Government Affairs
    Phone: 207-215-7396
    Emailcourtney.belolan@maine.gov


    Laura Cyr
    Federal and State Legislative Specialist
    Phone: 207-446-8791
    Emaillaura.cyr@maine.gov


    Jennifer Belanger
    Legislative and Constituent Services Specialist
    Phone:  207-620-4575
    Email: jennifer.belanger@maine.gov