An Act to Address Teacher Shortages Through Financial Assistance and Career Advancement Opportunities
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1608
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: PIERCE, MILLETT, INGWERSEN, ROTUNDO, TIPPING, BRENNAN, DODGE, MURPHY, WHITE, ZAGER
Amends: 20-A MRSA §12504, 20-A MRSA §15689-A

Legislative Document
No. 1608
S.P. 640
In Senate, April 11, 2023
An Act to Address Teacher Shortages Through Financial Assistance 
and Career Advancement Opportunities
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Representative MILLETT of Cape Elizabeth and
Senators: INGWERSEN of York, ROTUNDO of Androscoggin, TIPPING of Penobscot, 
Representatives: BRENNAN of Portland, DODGE of Belfast, MURPHY of Scarborough, 
WHITE of Waterville, ZAGER of Portland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §12504, as amended by PL 2019, c. 303, §6, is further amended 
to read:
§12504.  Allocation of funds
The authority shall establish by rule the allocation of funds available under this chapter.
Loans in an amount to be determined annually by the authority based on available 
funds, but in no event less than $3,000 or more than $8,000 per academic year for eligible 
undergraduate students and no less than $2,000 or more than $8,000 per academic year for 
eligible students pursuing postbaccalaureate certification, may be made.  Selected full-time 
undergraduate students may receive loans for a period not to exceed 8 semesters at the 
institution they attend.  Selected full-time and part-time students pursuing 
postbaccalaureate certifications may receive loans for a period not to exceed 4 semesters 
or the equivalent thereof at the institution they attend.  An individual who has received an 
Educators for Maine loan as an undergraduate may also receive a loan for students pursuing 
postbaccalaureate certification.  Loans are for one academic year and are renewable if the 
recipient maintains a grade point average of at least 2.5 based on a 4.0 grade point system 
or the equivalent and submits a complete renewal application by the deadline annually.
Sec. 2.  20-A MRSA §15689-A, sub-§29 is enacted to read:
29.  Teacher residency.  The commissioner may expend and disburse funds for the 
hiring of education students who participate in a teacher residency program administered 
by the University of Southern Maine that seeks to address teacher shortages in the State by 
connecting postsecondary education students with teaching positions while the students 
continue to take classes to fulfill the students' degree or certification requirements.
Sec. 3. Maine Education Policy Research Institute to study career ladders 
for educators.  The Maine Education Policy Research Institute shall study the 
development of career ladders for educators.  The study must include:
1.  A review of career ladders for educators developed in other states, including 
Maryland;
2.  An analysis of the options for developing a teacher residency certificate and 
advanced teacher certificates, such as distinguished teacher certificates and lead teacher 
certificates;
3.  Ways to diversify the educator workforce; and
4.  Educator recruitment and retention best practices.
By December 6, 2023, the institute shall submit a report that includes its findings and 
recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Education and Cultural Affairs.  The committee may report out a bill related to the report 
to the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.
Sec. 4.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made.
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
General Purpose Aid for Local Schools 0308
Initiative: Provides ongoing funds to support the Maine Teacher Residency Program at the 
University of Southern Maine.
GENERAL FUND
2023-24
2024-25
All Other
$0
$1,000,000
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$0
$1,000,000
SUMMARY
This bill does the following.
1.  It provides ongoing funds of $1,000,000 beginning in fiscal year 2024-25 to the 
Department of Education, General Purpose Aid for Local Schools program to support the 
Maine Teacher Residency Program at the University of Southern Maine and authorizes the 
Commissioner of Education to expend and disburse funds for that purpose.
2.  It provides that the maximum loan per academic year under the Educators for Maine 
Program is $8,000 for undergraduate students and students pursuing postbaccalaureate 
certification.
3.  It requires the Maine Education Policy Research Institute to study the development 
of career ladders for educators.