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MaineLD 1956132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Amend the Law Governing the Competitive Skills Scholarship Program and Establish the Community Workforce Connections Program

Sponsored By: Peggy R. Rotundo (Democratic)

Became Law

JOB TRAININGJOB TRAINING - PROGRAMS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Faster decisions and stronger appeals

You can apply in writing for training and supports. The department must send a written decision within 30 days. You may ask for a 15‑day extension. If third‑party information is needed, the department must help get it and cannot deny you without trying available records. If information is missing, the department must contact you by day 20 using your preferred way and explain what is needed. You can appeal within 30 days. A manager must decide in 15 days. If you appeal a termination within 10 days, services stay in place until the decision. A hearing officer must decide within 30 days.

Retro help for tuition and child care

When you are found eligible, the program pays for tuition, books, fees, stipends, child care, and transportation back to your application date or when you needed the service, whichever is later. The department may also backdate other needed services so you can take part. If no other funding is available, the program pays required costs for transcripts or credential evaluations.

Statewide peer navigators for workers

The state creates a Community Workforce Connections Program to provide peer navigation through trusted community groups. The Commissioner must run it statewide no later than January 1, 2026. Navigators help people connect to training, apprenticeships, reemployment and unemployment compensation, and career centers. They give timely, flexible help with basics like transportation, utilities, and child care, and reach communities with low unemployment insurance use. At least 12% of the scholarship fund’s annual planned yield goes to this program; unspent contract funds return to the fund except for unpaid costs from that year.

Who qualifies for CSSP help

You qualify if your household income is under 275% of the federal poverty level, or if you or a dependent get SNAP, MaineCare, TANF, SSI, refugee cash help, or Maine fuel assistance. You must not already have a marketable degree that lets you work in a qualifying field, unless it no longer applies to you, is not recognized in Maine, or does not lead to jobs in your labor market. The department approves cohort programs that serve low‑income people and others facing barriers; a cohort is a group that moves through the same program together. If you are in an approved cohort, you get full CSSP services. Registered apprentices and people in certified pre‑apprenticeship plans also qualify if they meet the income/assistance rule or are in an approved cohort.

Community groups can run navigator services

To win a navigator contract, an organization must have trusted ties to priority communities and know program eligibility and application steps. It must follow privacy rules and provide services at no charge. The Commissioner may award multiple, multi‑year contracts, with priority for community leaders. Services must add to, not replace, department services, and be culturally and language appropriate for people with different digital skills.

Scholarship fund only for training programs

Money in the Competitive Skills Scholarship Fund may be used only for the scholarship program, the Community Workforce Connections Program, and fund administration. The law also repeals an older CSSP statute and moves authority under the updated program framework.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Peggy R. Rotundo

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Amy Roeder

    Democratic • House

  • Cameron D. Reny

    Democratic • Senate

  • Deqa Dhalac

    Democratic • House

  • Holly Stover

    Democratic • House

  • Jill C. Duson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Matthew Beck

    Democratic • House

  • Michael Brennan

    Democratic • House

  • Mike Tipping

    Democratic • Senate

  • Ryan Fecteau

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 79 • No: 66

House vote • 6/10/2025

Enactment

Yes: 79 • No: 66

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 396

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/11/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. ROLL CALL NO. 415(Yeas 79 - Nays 66 - Absent 4 - Excused 2)Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/10/2025House

  4. Reports READ.On motion of Representative ROEDER of Bangor, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-304) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-304). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/9/2025House

  5. Reports READ. On motion by Senator TIPPING of Penobscot The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED. Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (S-304) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-304) Sent down for concurrence

    6/9/2025Senate

  6. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on LABOR.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/7/2025House

  7. Committee on LABOR suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on LABOR Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    5/7/2025Senate

Bill Text

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