Students from a number of Maine’s colleges and universities are publicly calling on administrators to support legislation that would prevent schools from withholding transcripts from those who owe debts.

The bill, LD 1838, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli (D-Sagadahoc), passed the Senate last month and was approved by the House. The bill was set to face a final vote in the Senate before advancing to the desk of Gov. Janet Mills.

As amended, LD 1838 requires that upon request from a student, a postsecondary educational institution must provide a transcript or diploma without mandating a repayment plan by the student unless they owe $500 or more at a 2-year school or $2,500 or more at a 4-year school.

“Transcript withholding currently stops many students from transferring credits from one school to another, or holds graduates back from employment because they cannot access their diplomas. Enacting this bill would strengthen Mainers’ connection to higher education and alleviate barriers on the path to the workforce,” reads a petition authored by student leaders of Maine Student Action and delivered to administrators at University of Southern Maine, University of New England, Bates College, and the University of Maine Orono.

Read the full article about college transcripts by Lauren McCauley at The 74.