Maine is considering LD 2020, a bill that would end the Department of Education’s requirement to report unmet need for 3- to 5-year-old children who qualify for special education services. This reporting is the only statewide mechanism that shows how many preschool-aged children are not receiving timely services due to workforce shortages and capacity gaps. Maine has already been found out of compliance for failing to provide required services to young children. Eliminating reporting does not solve the problem - it simply removes transparency and makes it harder for families, providers, and policymakers to understand the scope of unmet need.

Transparent data is essential for accountability, planning, and ensuring that young children receive the early intervention and special education services they are legally entitled to. Autism Society of Maine urges the Legislature to maintain DOE’s reporting requirements and invest in the workforce and systems that support Maine’s youngest learners.