An Act To Increase Access to Postsecondary Education for Maine's Children
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 1407
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: HAYES, CRAVEN, FARNSWORTH, JONES, KUMIEGA, MALABY, NUTTING, VOLK, MASON
Amends: 22 MRSA §264

Legislative Document 
No. 1407 
H.P. 1003 
House of Representatives, April 12, 2013 
An Act To Increase Access to Postsecondary Education for Maine's 
Children 
(AFTER DEADLINE) 
(EMERGENCY) 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205. 
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative HAYES of Buckfield. 
Cosponsored by Senator CRAVEN of Androscoggin and 
Representatives: FARNSWORTH of Portland, JONES of Freedom, KUMIEGA of Deer Isle, 
MALABY of Hancock, NUTTING of Oakland, VOLK of Scarborough, Senator: MASON of 
Androscoggin. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the availability of financial support for higher education increases the 
likelihood of students seeking education beyond high school; and 
Whereas, the opportunity exists to assist parents of newborn children to obtain 
grants to establish college savings funds to provide support in funding higher education 
for their children; and 
Whereas, this opportunity may be missed if parents do not enroll their children 
within one year of birth; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  22 MRSA §264 is enacted to read: 
§264.  Increasing access to higher education 
The department shall require a parent of an infant under one year of age who applies 
for family assistance administered by the department to apply on behalf of the infant for a 
Harold Alfond College Challenge grant administered by the Finance Authority of Maine, 
or sign a statement indicating that the infant is not eligible for a grant or the reason why 
the parent chooses not to apply for a grant.  The department shall provide information to 
the parent about the grant program and the method of applying for a grant and provide 
assistance in applying for a grant if requested by the parent.  For the purposes of this 
section, "family assistance" includes the MaineCare program, a food supplement program 
under section 3104 or 3107 and any assistance provided under subtitle 3, part 3. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to require a parent 
of an infant under one year of age seeking family assistance from the department to apply 
on behalf of the infant for a Harold Alfond College Challenge grant or sign a statement 
indicating why the parent chooses not to apply.  The bill also requires the department to 
provide information to parents about the grants and assist parents in applying if requested.