Maine Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence (Recognize MPOs): Maine Governor Signed Final Legislation

Demographic Data

State residents include:

1,862 active-duty service members
726 active-duty spouses
1,241 active-duty children
- 869 children in K-12
5,287 National Guard and reserve members
2,538 National Guard and reserve spouses
3,899 National Guard and reserve children
- 2,677 children in K-12

Data source: DMDC, Dec. 31, 2024.

Melissa Willette

New England Regional Liaison

New England Region

CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT

EMAIL

Ms. Willette became New England region liaison in 2023. Prior to joining the DLSO, she served as director of the Maine Veterans' Cemetery System, director of communications for the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services, and senior legislative aide in the Maine State Legislature. Ms. Willette currently serves in the Air National Guard.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

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Bill introduced
Priority advanced
Policy Passed
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Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts9/18 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

06/21/2023LD 717

06/26/2023

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Final Legislation

Maine joined the Audiology and Speech Language Pathology Compact on June 26, 2023 when Gov. Janet Mills signed the bill into law. Maine became the 29th state to join the compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Cosmetology Licensure Compact

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact

04/12/2024LD 2137

04/22/2024

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact Final Legislation

Governor Janet Mills signed LD 2137 into law on April 22, 2023 making Maine the 7th state to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Dietitian Licensure Compact

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact

Interstate Massage Therapy Compact

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact

03/22/2022LD 1920

03/09/2022LD 1920

03/31/2022

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact Final Legislation

Maine became the seventh state to enact the Interstate Counseling Compact after Governor Janet Mills signed Chapter 547 of the laws of 2022, sponsored by Representative Joyce “Jay” McCreight.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Nurse Licensure Compact

06/25/2017

Nurse Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Maine joins the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact

06/17/2021LD31

06/15/2021LD31

06/22/2021

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

In 2021, Maine joined the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

06/21/20231749

06/26/2023

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Gov. Janet Mills signed the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact into law on June 26, 2023. The compact facilitates interstate practice of physical therapy with the goal of improving public access to physical therapy services.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physician Associates Compact

04/10/2024LD 2043

04/09/2024LD 2043

04/23/2024

Physician Associates Compact Final Legislation

Governor Mills allowed the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact to become law without signature on April 23, 2024, making Maine the 9th state to enact the policy.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

06/17/2021LD863

06/16/2021LD863

06/22/2021

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Final Legislation

Maine became the twenty-fifth state to enact PsyPACT in 2021.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Social Work Licensure Compact

04/12/2024LD 2140

04/26/2024

Social Work Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Governor Mills signed the Social Work Licensure Compact on April 26, 2024; it became Chapter 624 of Public Law.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

Athletic Trainer Compact

Military Spouse Employment Preference0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Employment Preference - Private Sector

Employment Preference - Public Sector

Employment Preference - Procurement

Military Clause in State Family Leave Laws

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Solutions for Military Homeschoolers0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Streamline Requirements

Ensure Extracurricular Access

Clarify JROTC Eligibility

State Exemption for DOD Family Child Care Homes

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

05/13/2025LD 388

05/14/2025LD 388

05/23/2025

State Exemption for DOD Family Child Care Homes Final Legislation

Chapter 101 of Public Law 2025 explicitly exempts Family Child Care providers certified by the Defense Department from relicensing requirements in the State of Maine. DoD certified FCC providers who provide care for military-connected children are exempt from FCC statute.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

State Support of Military Families with Special Education Needs1/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Minimize Delays

08/25/2017

Minimize Delays Final Legislation

Pursuant to Chapter 101 of the Maine Unified Special Education Regulation Birth to Age 20 (MUSER) the State Educational Agency must ensure a 30-calendar-day resolution period is met, a final decision is reached in the hearing; and a copy of the decision is mailed to the parents.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Reduce Burdens

Education Policy Implementation and Information Enhancements0/4 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advance Enrollment

Military Student Identifier (MSI)

Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children

Purple Star Schools Program

Open Enrollment Flexibility

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

05/14/2025LD 31

05/06/2025LD 31

05/16/2025

Open Enrollment Flexibility Final Legislation

Chapter 78 of Public Law 2025 allows placement stability for military-connected students if their parent is transferred or pending transfer due to military orders.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

04/01/2024LD 2171

03/28/2024LD 2171

04/09/2024

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction Final Legislation

The jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court is concurrent with that of a federal court sitting in the State of Maine over proceedings involving an alleged violation of federal law committed by a juvenile on a military installation of the United States Department of Defense, so long as the violation of federal law is also a juvenile crime as defined in Maine State Law.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Enhance Information-Sharing

Allow Military Protective Orders as Evidence

Military Community Representation on State Defense Councils

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

01/01/2016

Military Community Representation on State Defense Councils Final Legislation

The Maine Military and Community Network is an organization comprised of regional leaders at the local, state, and federal levels to connect service members, families, and veterans to resources; as well as advocates for policy at the State House in Augusta and through Maine's Congressional Delegation.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2026

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2026

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