The state Senate is expected to debate and vote today on a bill that would create up to 20 independent but publicly-funded charter schools in Maine.

Charter schools are specially created public schools that receive state and federal money but are freed from many state regulations. The schools are run by private or public groups and are open to all students, regardless of where they live.

Maine has no charter schools. The bill would create a charter school pilot program over the next 10 years, allowing up to 20 schools in that time. Educators or parents would start the schools, while local schools boards or branches of the University of Maine would monitor performance.

The bill divided the Legislature’s education committee when members considered it a few weeks ago. Seven voted “ought not to pass.” Five voted for it to pass.