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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 1398
H.P. 920 House of Representatives, April 1, 2025
An Act Regarding Behavioral Health Support for Students in Public
Schools
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative CRAFTS of Newcastle.
Cosponsored by Representatives: DODGE of Belfast, MURPHY of Scarborough, SARGENT
of York.
Page 1 - 132LR1829(01)
1Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
2Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §15672, sub-§1-E is enacted to read:
31-E. Clinical mental health provider. "Clinical mental health provider" means a
4 licensed clinical social worker, licensed clinical professional counselor, licensed alcohol
5 and drug counselor or licensed pastoral counselor.
6Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §15672, sub-§27-A is enacted to read:
727-A. School counselor. "School counselor" has the same meaning as in section 4008,
8 subsection 1, paragraph B.
9Sec. 3. 20-A MRSA §15679, sub-§2, ¶A, as amended by PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C,
10 §33, is further amended to read:
11 A. For the elementary school level and the middle school level:
12 (1) Beginning July 1, 2017, the student-to-education technician ratio is 114:1 for
13 the elementary school level and 312:1 for the middle school level;
14 (2) The student-to-guidance staff ratio is 350:1;
15 (3) The student-to-librarian ratio is 800:1;
16 (4) The student-to-media assistant ratio is 500:1;
17 (5) The student-to-health staff ratio is 800:1;
18 (6) The student-to-school administrative staff ratio is 305:1; and
19 (7) The student-to-clerical staff ratio is 200:1. ;
20 (8) Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the student-to-clinical mental health
21 provider ratio is 350:1 and beginning in the 2028-2029 school year, the
22 student-to-clinical mental health provider ratio is 250:1; and
23 (9) Beginning in the 2028-2029 school year, the student-to-school counselor ratio
24 is 250:1.
25Sec. 4. 20-A MRSA §15679, sub-§2, ¶B, as amended by PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C,
26 §33, is further amended to read:
27 B. For the high school level:
28 (1) Beginning July 1, 2017, the student-to-education technician ratio is 316:1;
29 (2) The student-to-guidance staff ratio is 250:1;
30 (3) The student-to-librarian ratio is 800:1;
31 (4) The student-to-media assistant ratio is 500:1;
32 (5) The student-to-health staff ratio is 800:1;
33 (6) The student-to-school administrative staff ratio is 315:1; and
34 (7) The student-to-clerical staff ratio is 200:1. ;
35 (8) Beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, the student-to-clinical mental health
36 provider ratio is 350:1 and beginning in the 2028-2029 school year, the
37 student-to-clinical mental health provider ratio is 250:1; and
Page 2 - 132LR1829(01)
1 (9) Beginning in the 2028-2029 school year, the student-to-school counselor ratio
2 is 250:1.
3SUMMARY
4 This bill sets student-to-clinical mental health provider and student-to-school counselor
5 ratios for the purpose of the calculation of salary and benefit costs in the essential programs
6 and services school funding formula.
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