summary
Introduced
05/07/2025
05/07/2025
In Committee
05/07/2025
05/07/2025
Crossed Over
06/12/2025
06/12/2025
Passed
06/25/2025
06/25/2025
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
This bill does the following. 1. It replaces the early childhood educator workforce salary supplement system with the Salary Sustainability Program for Child Care Professionals. It establishes requirements for the program, requires 5-year assessments and provides funding for the program. 2. It enacts the child care staff scholarship program established as a pilot program in Public Law 2023, chapter 643, Part TT as a permanent program in the Maine Revised Statutes known as the Maine Child Care Affordability Program Child Care Award. 3. It establishes a program of child care provider scholarships for early childhood education or related fields to eligible individuals pursuing associate, bachelor's or graduate degrees or certificates in those fields. 4. It establishes a program of apprenticeships for individuals employed or seeking employment at a licensed child care facility or licensed family child care provider. 5. It requires the State Board of Education to update its plan for career and technical education centers to include opportunities for early childhood education and child care education at career and technical education centers around the State. 6. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a long-term plan for financial sustainability of the Maine Child Care Affordability Program and submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services no later than January 2, 2026. 7. It requires an appropriation of $3,800,000 to the Maine Child Care Affordability Program and a yearly appropriation of $500,000 for wage supplement awards and $1,000,000 to support child care needs.
AI Summary
This bill establishes several key initiatives to support child care affordability and early childhood educators in Maine. It creates the Maine Child Care Affordability Program Child Care Award, which provides funding to help child care providers and early childhood educators access child care services for their own children, with specific licensing and quality requirements. The bill introduces the Salary Sustainability Program for Child Care Professionals, which offers salary supplements to child care workers based on their education and experience, with a tiered system that increases compensation as workers gain more qualifications. Additionally, the bill establishes a scholarship and apprenticeship program for child care providers and early childhood educators, offering financial aid for degree programs and professional development opportunities. The State Board of Education is required to develop child care and early childhood education programs within career and technical education centers across the state, ensuring educational opportunities in all regions. The Department of Health and Human Services must also create a long-term financial sustainability plan for the Child Care Affordability Program, with a report due by January 2026. To support these initiatives, the bill allocates $5.3 million in the first year and $1.5 million in the following year, including funds for wage supplements, child care needs, and program implementation.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (10)
Mattie Daughtry (D)*,
Pinny Beebe-Center (D),
Rick Bennett (I),
Lucien Daigle (R),
Flavia DeBrito (D),
Ryan Fecteau (D),
Tavis Hasenfus (D),
Henry Ingwersen (D),
Michele Meyer (D),
Marianne Moore (R),
Last Action
On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence. (on 03/12/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1955&snum=132 |
| Senate: C-B (S-515) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0763&item=8&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: C-B (S-515) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN195508.pdf |
| Senate: S-A to C-A (S-483) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0763&item=4&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: S-A to C-A (S-483) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN195504.pdf |
| Senate: C-A (S-355) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0763&item=2&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: C-A (S-355) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN195502.pdf |
| Fiscal Note: Text | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN195501.pdf |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0763&item=1&snum=132 |
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