LD1398

This bill establishes student-to-clinical mental health provider and student-to-school counselor ratios for Maine public schools.

This bill amends Maine Revised Statutes to set specific student-to-clinical mental health provider and student-to-school counselor ratios. It defines "clinical mental health provider" and "school counselor" and establishes a student-to-clinical mental health provider ratio of 350:1 starting in the 2027-2028 school year, reducing to 250:1 by the 2028-2029 school year. Additionally, it sets a student-to-school counselor ratio of 250:1 starting in the 2028-2029 school year. These ratios are intended to guide the calculation of salary and benefit costs in the essential programs paragraph B.