Resolve, to Establish a Pilot Program to Provide Grants to Expand Age Eligibility for Life Skills and Vocational Programs in Public Schools
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1565
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: MONTELL, PIERCE, ARFORD, BRIDGEO, COLLAMORE, DILL, DODGE, MURPHY, SARGENT, WORTH

Legislative Document
No. 1565
H.P. 1010
House of Representatives, April 11, 2023
Resolve, to Establish a Pilot Program to Provide Grants to Expand 
Age Eligibility for Life Skills and Vocational Programs in Public 
Schools
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative MONTELL of Gardiner.
Cosponsored by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland and
Representatives: ARFORD of Brunswick, BRIDGEO of Augusta, COLLAMORE of Pittsfield, 
DILL of Old Town, DODGE of Belfast, MURPHY of Scarborough, SARGENT of York, 
WORTH of Ellsworth.
Sec. 1. Commissioner of Education to establish pilot program to provide 
grants to expand age eligibility for life skills and vocational programs. 
Resolved: That the Commissioner of Education shall establish a pilot program to award 
grants to expand age eligibility for life skills and vocational programs in public schools for 
a period of 2 years. The Commissioner of Education may accept donations from outside 
sources and state and federal funding to accomplish the purposes of this resolve.
Sec. 2. Application. Resolved: That a local education agency may submit an 
application for grant funds under the pilot program pursuant to section 1. The 
Commissioner of Education shall give priority to applicants that do not have career and 
technical education in middle schools and provide grants to schools that demonstrate the 
following goals:
1. Exposing students to vocations so that students can identify a vocational interest 
earlier in the students' academic careers;
2. Providing students with valuable life skills; and
3. Lowering the truancy rate and number of disciplinary infractions by increasing 
student engagement.
Sec. 3. Use of funds. Resolved: That a local education agency that receives a grant 
award during the pilot program under section 1 may use the funds only for expanding age 
eligibility for life skills and vocational programs.
Sec. 4. Evaluation; annual submissions. Resolved: That each local education 
agency that receives a grant under the pilot program under section 1 shall engage in 
evaluation activities, including interviews or surveys on the process and effect and 
outcomes of the pilot program, and annually for the duration of the grant submit to the 
Department of Education a report or other product that showcases learning achieved 
through the pilot program. The Department of Education annually shall compile the 
submissions and make them publicly available.
Sec. 5. Fund established. Resolved: That the Life Skills and Vocational Program 
Grant Pilot Program Fund is established as a nonlapsing fund under the Department of 
Education for the purpose of receiving money from state, federal and other sources, 
including donations from private citizens, corporations and entities for the purposes of this 
resolve. The department shall distribute any available money in the fund to support the 
purposes described in this resolve. Upon distribution of all the money, the fund is dissolved.
Sec. 6. Report to Legislature. Resolved: That, no later than December 4, 2024, 
the Commissioner of Education shall submit a report regarding the pilot program pursuant 
to this resolve and make recommendations, including any suggested legislation, to the joint 
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education and cultural 
affairs. The joint standing committee may report out legislation on the subject matter of the 
report to the First Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.
Sec. 7.  Appropriations and allocations.  Resolved:  That the following 
appropriations and allocations are made.
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
Life Skills and Vocational Program Grant Pilot Program Fund N437
Initiative: Provides one-time funds to expand age eligibility for life skills and vocational 
programs in public schools.
GENERAL FUND
2023-24
2024-25
All Other
$100,000
$0
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$100,000
$0
Life Skills and Vocational Program Grant Pilot Program Fund N437
Initiative: Provides base allocations to authorize expenditures in the event funds to expand 
age eligibility for life skills and vocational programs in public schools are received through 
donations from public or private sources.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS
2023-24
2024-25
All Other
$500
$500
__________
__________
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL
$500
$500
Life Skills and Vocational Program Grant Pilot Program Fund N437
Initiative: Provides base allocations to authorize expenditures in the event funds to expand 
age eligibility for life skills and vocational programs in public schools are received from 
federal sources.
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND
2023-24
2024-25
All Other
$500
$500
__________
__________
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOTAL
$500
$500
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
DEPARTMENT TOTALS
2023-24
2024-25
GENERAL FUND
$100,000
$0
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND
$500
$500
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS
$500
$500
__________
__________
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS
$101,000
$1,000
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Commissioner of Education to create a pilot program to expand 
age eligibility for life skills and vocational programs in public schools.