APPROVED CHAPTER
JULY 27, 2023 464
BY GOVERNOR PUBLIC LAW
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-THREE
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S.P. 576 - L.D. 1458
An Act to Increase Funding for the Maine School of Science and
Mathematics
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §8202, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2009, c. 486, §1, is further
amended to read:
2. Tuition; room and board; funding. Students from this State may attend the school
free of tuition charges and free of the cost of room and board. Additional funding for
students from this State may be provided within amounts appropriated for that purpose as
follows.
A. The amount must be paid in 4 equal quarterly payments during the year of
attendance. The first payment must be made by July 31st. The amount of tuition and
other costs paid for all students is limited to the amount appropriated for this purpose.
To be eligible for state funding under this paragraph, a student must have resided in
Maine with a parent, other relative or guardian for at least 6 months immediately
preceding application to the school.
B. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, effective July 1, 1996 and to the
extent funds are not appropriated for this purpose, the student or the student's parent or
guardian shall pay to the school the cost of room and board for the school year. In the
case of financial need, the State shall pay to the school the difference between the cost
of room and board and the student's or the student's family's ability to pay that cost.
The board of trustees shall adopt rules governing the determination of financial need
and the cost and schedule of payment of room and board under this paragraph. The
determination of financial need must be based on a nationally recognized public or
private school financial needs assessment system. A student may use scholarship funds
in place of payment for all or part of the cost of room and board and any other fees or
expenses incurred as a result of that student's enrollment at the school.
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §8205, sub-§16-B is enacted to read:
16-B. Sustainability report. To submit to the joint standing committee of the
Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters a sustainability report by February
Page 1 - 131LR1174(08)
1st of each year beginning February 1, 2024 and annually thereafter. The report must
include a plan for and updates on student recruitment efforts, the rate of student attrition,
graduation rate, a budget for and explanation of mental health services available to students
and a discussion of the school's Limestone location;
Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and
allocations are made.
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
General Purpose Aid for Local Schools 0308
Initiative: Provides one-time funds to the Maine School of Science and Mathematics.
GENERAL FUND 2023-24 2024-25
All Other $0 $500,000
__________ __________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $0 $500,000
Page 2 - 131LR1174(08)


Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 1458, SP 576: 20-A.8202
Bill Text ACTPUB , Chapter 464: 20-A.8202