Bill > LD1280

This bill establishes two pilot programs aimed at addressing child care and early childhood education challenges in rural Maine. The first program, developed by the Department of Education by July 1, 2026, will provide tuition assistance to students pursuing degrees in early childhood education or related fields. To be eligible, students must reside in a county with fewer than 100,000 residents, be ineligible for free community college, and apply for federal financial aid. The second program, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, will offer grants to licensed child care providers in counties with populations under 100,000 to help them open or expand child care programs. Both pilot programs are funded with one-time allocations of $300,000 each in the 2025-26 fiscal year, with up to $30,000 per department designated for program administration. The goal of these initiatives is to support rural communities by addressing workforce development in early childhood education and increasing access to child care services in less populated areas of Maine.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1280&snum=132