An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Task Force on Franco-Americans
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0422
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: FREDETTE, KATZ, AYOTTE, BEAULIEU, CASAVANT, DION, GILBERT, WILLETTE, LANGLEY
Amends: 20-A MRSA §10910

Legislative Document 
No. 422 
H.P. 294 
House of Representatives, February 14, 2013 
An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Task Force on 
Franco-Americans 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative FREDETTE of Newport. 
Cosponsored by Senator KATZ of Kennebec and 
Representatives: AYOTTE of Caswell, BEAULIEU of Auburn, CASAVANT of Biddeford, 
DION of Portland, GILBERT of Jay, McCLELLAN of Raymond, WILLETTE of Mapleton, 
Senator: LANGLEY of Hancock. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §10910 is enacted to read: 
§10910.  Report on status of first-generation students 
By January 15, 2014, and annually thereafter, the trustees shall submit to the joint 
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters a report 
summarizing activities over the previous year of institutions of higher education in the 
State intended to increase enrollment and graduation rates of first-generation college 
students as defined by the trustees.  The report must include data regarding enrollment of 
first-generation students and educational outcomes, including graduation rates for 
first-generation students compared to other students, and may make recommendations for 
legislative action to increase graduation rates for first-generation students.  The 
committee may submit legislation to implement any recommendations of the trustees. 
Sec. 2.  Working group to increase recruitment of first-generation college 
students from Maine.  The Board of Trustees of the University of Maine System shall 
convene a working group, including, but not limited to, representatives of the Maine 
Community College System and the Maine Maritime Academy to study and develop a 
long-term strategy to increase enrollment of first-generation college students who are 
residents of Maine and to increase the graduation rate of first-generation college students 
at Maine's postsecondary educational institutions.  The working group shall invite the 
participation of private postsecondary colleges and institutions when developing a 
recruitment strategy. 
SUMMARY 
This bill is in response to a recommendation of the Task Force on Franco-Americans.  
This bill requires the Board of Trustees of the University of Maine System to establish a 
working group including representatives of public and private institutions of higher 
education in the State to study and develop a strategy to increase enrollment and 
graduation rates for first-generation college students who are residents of the State.  The 
board is required to report annually to the joint standing committee of the Legislature 
having jurisdiction over education matters on activities over the previous year by 
institutions of higher education in the State to increase enrollment and graduation rates of 
first-generation college students.