Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, § 6691: Student Homelessness Prevention Program, 2025

The Student Homelessness Prevention Program, referred to in this section as "the program," is established within the department in the office of the department responsible for school and student supports. [PL 2025, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] 1. Purpose. The purpose of the program is to help elementary students and secondary students avoid homelessness by identifying students and families of students who are at risk of homelessness and providing direct financial assistance to help them maintain stable permanent housing. [PL 2025, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] 2. Fund established. The Student Homelessness Prevention Fund is established as a nonlapsing fund within the department for the purposes of supporting the program. The fund may receive money from any available state, federal or private source. [PL 2025, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] 3. Program requirements. The department shall provide a local educational agency liaison for students experiencing homelessness designated pursuant to the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001, 42 United States Code, Section 11431 et seq. The liaison shall: A. Identify students who are at risk of homelessness but not yet homeless; and [PL 2025, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] B. In addition to any federal assistance available, provide up to $750 per academic year to the family or guardian of a student at risk of homelessness for services authorized under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001, in addition to other housing-related needs such as rental assistance, utilities, critical home repairs and other assistance that will help the student avoid homelessness. [PL 2025, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] 4. Assistance not income or asset. Financial assistance received under the program is not income for purposes of the State's income tax laws and is not income or an asset for the purposes of determining eligibility for or the benefit amount to be paid from any public assistance program administered by the State or by a municipality pursuant to Title 22, chapter 1161. [PL 2025, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] 5. Rules. The department may adopt rules to implement the program. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A. [PL 2025, c. 453, §1 (NEW).]