An Act to Create the Child Care Provider Student Loan Repayment Fund
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 0890
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: BALDACCI, CURRY, DAUGHTRY, JACKSON, MOORE, GRAHAM, MADIGAN, MEYER, SHAGOURY

Legislative Document
No. 890
S.P. 382
In Senate, February 28, 2023
An Act to Create the Child Care Provider Student Loan Repayment 
Fund
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator BALDACCI of Penobscot.
Cosponsored by Senators: CURRY of Waldo, DAUGHTRY of Cumberland, President 
JACKSON of Aroostook, MOORE of Washington, Representatives: GRAHAM of North 
Yarmouth, MADIGAN of Waterville, MEYER of Eliot, SHAGOURY of Hallowell.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  22 MRSA c. 1083 is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 1083
CHILD CARE PROVIDER STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT FUND
§4100-A.  Child Care Provider Student Loan Repayment Fund
1.  Fund established.  The Child Care Provider Student Loan Repayment Fund, 
referred to in this chapter as "the fund," is established as a dedicated, nonlapsing account 
within the department to support child care workers in underserved areas of the State with 
the repayment of student loans.
2.  Sources of fund.  The fund consists of funds appropriated or allocated by the State.
3.  Use of fund.  The department shall make distributions from the fund on a first-
come, first-served basis to provide up to $6,000 annually to a child care provider that meets 
the criteria under subsection 4 for the repayment of student loans.
4.  Award criteria.  In order to be eligible for a distribution under this chapter, a child 
care provider must:
A. Work in an underserved area of the State;
B. Work at least 30 hours per week for a child care facility licensed under section 
8301-A, subsection 2 or a family child care provider licensed under section 8301-A, 
subsection 3;
C. Have worked for a child care facility licensed under section 8301-A, subsection 2 
or a family child care provider licensed under section 8301-A, subsection 3 for at least 
days prior to requesting a distribution under this chapter;
D. Have incurred student loans in order to attend an institution of higher education as 
defined in Title 20-A, section 11413, subsection 11, whether or not the child care 
provider is currently attending the institution; and
E. Demonstrate that the child care provider made student loan payments in the amount 
of the requested distribution.
5.  Rules.  The department shall adopt rules to implement this section, including, every 
years, defining the phrase "underserved area of the State."  Rules adopted pursuant to this 
subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 2.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Child Care Provider Student Loan Repayment Fund N425
Initiative: Provides funding to establish the Child Care Provider Student Loan Repayment 
Fund to support child care workers in underserved areas of the State with the repayment of 
student loans.
GENERAL FUND
2023-24
2024-25
All Other
$6,000,000
$6,000,000
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$6,000,000
$6,000,000
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the Child Care Provider Student Loan Repayment Fund to support 
child care workers in underserved areas of the State with the repayment of student loans.