An Act To Address Staffing Shortages in Critical Public Safety Jobs through Economic Incentives
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1785
Committee: Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business
Sponsors: BALDACCI, SYLVESTER, CURRY, HICKMAN, MIRAMANT, RAFFERTY, CARDONE, DUNPHY, O'CONNELL

Legislative Document
No. 1785
S.P. 623
In Senate, December 9, 2021
An Act To Address Staffing Shortages in Critical Public Safety Jobs 
through Economic Incentives
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203.
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on December 7, 2021.  Referred to the Committee 
on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business pursuant to Joint Rule 
308.2 and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator BALDACCI of Penobscot.
Cosponsored by Representative SYLVESTER of Portland and
Senators: CURRY of Waldo, HICKMAN of Kennebec, MIRAMANT of Knox, RAFFERTY 
of York, Representatives: CARDONE of Bangor, DUNPHY of Old Town, O'CONNELL of 
Brewer.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA c. 419-E is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 419-E
FUND TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SERVICE STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS
§11681.  Fund To Provide Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
The Fund To Provide Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness is established as a 
nonlapsing fund under the jurisdiction and control of the Finance Authority of Maine.  All 
revenues credited to this fund must be distributed for the purpose of student loan 
forgiveness based on need for residents of the State who are local and county law 
enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services persons, dispatchers and 
public health workers. The Finance Authority of Maine shall award funds for the purpose 
of student loan forgiveness and adopt rules for determining eligibility, terms and conditions 
of student loan forgiveness. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical 
rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. Interest earned on amounts in the 
fund may be used for the costs of administering the distribution of funds for the purpose of 
student loan forgiveness.
Sec. 2.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made.
FINANCE AUTHORITY OF MAINE
Fund To Provide Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
Initiative:  Provides one-time funds to the Fund To Provide Public Service Student Loan 
Forgiveness.
GENERAL FUND
2021-22
2022-23
All Other
$0
$5,000,000
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$0
$5,000,000
Finance Authority of Maine 0582
Initiative:  Provides one-time funds to the Finance Authority of Maine to provide no-
interest home mortgages to local and county law enforcement officers, firefighters, 
emergency medical services persons, dispatchers and public health workers while they are 
serving in those positions.
GENERAL FUND
2021-22
2022-23
All Other
$0
$5,000,000
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$0
$5,000,000
FINANCE AUTHORITY OF MAINE
DEPARTMENT TOTALS
2021-22
2022-23
GENERAL FUND
$0
$10,000,000
__________
__________
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS
$0
$10,000,000
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the Fund To Provide Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness in 
the Finance Authority of Maine to provide funds for student loan forgiveness for local and 
county law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services persons, 
dispatchers and public health workers.  It appropriates $5,000,000 to the fund.  It also 
appropriates $5,000,000 to the Finance Authority of Maine to provide no-interest home 
mortgages to local and county law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical 
services persons, dispatchers and public health workers while they are serving in those 
positions.