A bill in the state legislature would require high schools to start classes no earlier than 8:30 am.

The bill from Democratic Senator Mattie Daughtry of Brunswick is aimed at aligning school start times with adolescent sleep patterns and is intended to improve students’ health, alertness, and academic outcomes by allowing teenagers more opportunity for adequate sleep.

The bill has nine Democratic co-sponsors and was heard Thursday in the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs.

Opponents of the bill say it would disrupt school bus schedules and limit opportunities for student internships and afterschool jobs. They also say it could interfere with child care schedules.

The 8:30 start time for high schoolers has been proposed several times in the Maine legislature, most recently in 2023.