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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: Margaret Rotundo

Signed by Governor

JOB TRAININGJOB TRAINING - PROGRAMS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Dedicated funding for job navigation program

At least 12% of the Competitive Skills Scholarship Fund’s annual planned yield must support this program. The fund can be used only for the scholarship program, Community Workforce Connections, and fund administration. Contractors must return unspent money at year end, except for costs already incurred but not yet paid. The department may also seek other funding. These rules keep a steady stream of money for services.

Faster decisions, backdated help, and appeals

The department must send a written decision within 30 days. You can ask for a 15‑day extension to send information. If you are eligible, services are paid back to your application date or the date you showed need. The department must try to get needed third‑party records and pay required transcript or credential‑check costs if no other funds exist. You can ask for a hearing within 30 days (15 more for good cause). If you appeal a termination within 10 days, your supports stay in place while the appeal is decided.

Free community job navigation statewide by 2026

The law creates the Community Workforce Connections Program. It runs statewide by January 1, 2026. The Department of Labor hires trusted community groups to employ peer navigators. Services are free, confidential, and culturally and linguistically appropriate. Contracts can be multi‑year and must add to, not replace, existing career‑center services. The law ends the old Peer Workforce Navigator Pilot and replaces it with this permanent program.

Who qualifies for training and supports

You are eligible if your household income is under 275% of the federal poverty level for your family size. You also qualify if you or a dependent gets SNAP, MaineCare, TANF, refugee cash assistance, SSI, or state fuel assistance. People in a commissioner‑approved cohort program are also eligible for the same services; a cohort is a group that moves through the same program together. People who already have a marketable postsecondary degree they can use to get work in a qualifying industry are not eligible. A marketable degree includes industry credentials, certificates, licenses, associate, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees, but not if it can’t be used due to a disability, is not recognized by Maine licensing, or does not lead to work in a viable labor market.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Margaret Rotundo

    Affiliation unavailable

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. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 396

    6/20/2025

  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

  • Amendment C-A (S-304), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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