ME LD384

Establishes the Student Homelessness Prevention Program within the Maine Department of Education to identify elementary and secondary students at risk of homelessness and provide financial assistance to maintain stable housing

Provides up to $750 per academic year per student to families for rental assistance, utilities, critical home repairs, and other housing-related needs through local educational agency liaisons designated under the federal McKinney-Vento Act

Creates the Student Homelessness Prevention Fund as a nonlapsing fund that may receive state, federal, or private funding sources

Financial assistance received under the program is exempt from state income tax and does not count as income or assets for public assistance eligibility determinations

Appropriates $125,000 in General Fund money for each of fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to implement the program