An Act Regarding Workforce Development, Education Reform and
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1627
Sponsors: WHITE
Amends: 20-A MRSA §4722

Legislative Document
No. 1627
H.P. 1081
House of Representatives, April 15, 2025
An Act Regarding Workforce Development, Education Reform and 
Talent Retention
Received by the Clerk of the House on April 11, 2025.  Referred to the Committee on 
Education and Cultural Affairs pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to 
Joint Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative WHITE of Ellsworth.
Cosponsored by Representatives: BISHOP of Bucksport, FREDERICKS of Sanford, 
MCINTYRE of Lowell, MINGO of Calais, RUDNICKI of Fairfield, SIMMONS of 
Waldoboro.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §4722, sub-§2-C is enacted to read:
2-C.  Internship.  Beginning January 1, 2027, before graduating from high school a 
student must complete an internship, apprenticeship or cooperative education experience 
that allows the student to attain workforce skills.
Sec. 2.  Department of Education to develop career pathway awareness 
initiative.  The Department of Education shall develop and implement a career exploration 
module for middle school and high school students that emphasizes the State's 
high-demand fields as identified by the department.  The initiative must include digital and 
classroom-based resources and provide opportunities for students to engage with private 
sector employers.  The department shall develop a means to fund this initiative by 
repurposing existing underperforming career readiness programs.
Sec. 3.  Department of Education to require accountability for post-
graduation outcomes.  The Department of Education shall require school administrative 
units to track and report post-graduation data and outcomes, including employment of 
Maine graduates in high-demand fields; enrollment in apprenticeships, technical schools 
or certification programs; and retention rates for students attending 4-year postsecondary 
education institutions.  The department shall examine metrics that incentivize school 
administrative units to guide students toward 4-year degree programs and develop 
measures that incentivize placement in stable employment aligned with workforce needs 
and enrollment in programs with high completion rates and career outcomes.  The 
department shall develop a method for school administrative units to submit to the 
department annually a report detailing the percentage of graduates entering postsecondary 
education institutions, technical schools or the workforce and retention rates for graduates 
in postsecondary education institutions.
Sec. 4.  Department of Education to provide training on career counseling 
standards.  The Department of Education shall provide professional development for 
school counselors regarding career pathways in high-demand fields and workforce trends 
and local employment opportunities.
Sec. 5.  Department of Education to remove incentives for school 
administrative units.  The Department of Education shall remove incentives for school 
administrative units that disproportionately steer students toward 4-year postsecondary 
education institutions.
Sec. 6.  Department of Education to mandate information on post-
graduation options.  The Department of Education shall mandate that all high school 
students receive information on a variety of post-graduation options, including 
apprenticeships, certification programs and local employment opportunities in high 
demand.
Sec. 7.  Department of Education to redirect infrastructure funds.  The 
Department of Education shall redirect infrastructure funds to upgrade career and technical 
education facilities and equipment to meet industry standards.
Sec. 8.  Department of Education to strengthen and expand extended 
learning opportunity programs.  The Department of Education shall expand access to 
extended learning opportunity program coordinators and prioritize underserved and rural 
areas.  The department shall provide support for extended learning opportunity program 
coordinators to recruit local employers with tools and recognition programs for business 
participation.  The department shall align extended learning opportunity program activities 
with the State's high-demand fields and workforce needs.
Sec. 9.  Department of Education to establish grant programs.  The 
department shall establish a competitive grant program for employers to partner with 
schools, career and technical education centers and the Maine Community College System 
to create new training opportunities to address workforce gaps.  The grant program must 
require employers to co-invest through matching funds or in-kind contributions.  The 
department shall fund innovative pilot programs such as mobile training units or so-called 
earn while you learn models for high school students that focus on measurable outcomes.
Sec. 10.  Department of Education to coordinate with Department of 
Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue Services to develop 
employer tax incentives for workforce investments.  The Department of Education 
shall coordinate with the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of 
Revenue Services to develop employer tax incentives for workforce investments.  The 
Department of Education and the bureau shall develop the following tax incentives:
1. A student loan assistance tax credit through which employers offering student loan 
repayment assistance to Maine-based employees receive a state income tax credit equal to 
50% of contributions capped at $2,500 per employee annually.  The assistance must reduce 
employees' principal or interest on student loans and be conditioned upon a 2-year retention 
agreement; 
2. A child care support tax credit through which employers that provide on-site child 
care or subsidies for employees receive a state income tax credit equal to 30% of child care 
program costs, capped at $10,000 per facility or $2,000 per employee annually, whichever 
is less;
3. A cultural and recreational investment tax credit through which employers that 
contribute to local amenities, such as parks, community centers and recreational facilities, 
receive a credit equal to 25% of direct contributions made by the employer, capped at 
$25,000 annually.  The contributions must benefit the broader community and align with 
regional workforce needs; and
4. A "stay and grow" tax credit that provides a graduated income tax credit for a person 
employed in a high-demand field and who remains in the State for at least 5 years.  The 
credit must increase over time to reward longer commitments and must prioritize 
employment in designated industries or in rural areas facing workforce shortages.
Sec. 11.  Department of Education and Department of Labor to coordinate 
and offer stipends for employees in underserved regions.  The Department of 
Education and the Department of Labor shall coordinate and address labor shortages in 
underserved regions of the State by offering temporary housing and commuting or 
relocation stipends for workers who take jobs in the State's rural areas.  The benefits and 
stipends must last for a period of up to 3 years and taper off gradually.  The Department of 
Education and the Department of Labor shall fund the grants by reallocating rural 
development grants.
Sec. 12.  Department of Education to conduct efficiency and oversight of 
workforce education.  The Department of Education shall conduct audits of workforce 
education to identify inefficient programs.  Upon the discovery of inefficient programs, the 
department shall reallocate the savings to initiatives with measurable outcomes.  The 
department shall coordinate funding and incentives used by the department to metrics such 
as job placements, retention rates and workforce satisfaction.  The department shall 
establish a committee to evaluate program effectiveness and recommend annual 
adjustments.
Sec. 13.  Report.  The Department of Education shall submit a report to the Joint 
Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs detailing its progress on this 
legislation no later than December 3, 2025.  The report must include suggested legislation 
to implement the initiatives under this legislation.  The Joint Standing Committee on 
Education and Cultural Affairs may report out legislation related to the report to the Second 
Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.
SUMMARY
This bill requires that students complete an internship prior to graduating from high 
school beginning January 1, 2027.  The bill also requires the Department of Education to:
1. Develop and implement a career exploration module for middle school and high 
school students;
2. Require school administrative units to track and report post-graduation outcomes 
and examine metrics that incentivize school administrative units to guide students toward 
4-year degree programs; 
3. Provide training on career counseling standards, including professional development 
for school counselors regarding career pathways in high-demand fields; 
4. Mandate that all high school students receive information on a variety of 
post-graduation options, including apprenticeships, certification programs and local 
employment opportunities in high demand;
5. Redirect infrastructure funds to upgrade career and technical education facilities and 
equipment to meet industry standards; 
6. Expand access to extended learning opportunity program coordinators, prioritizing 
underserved and rural areas;
7. Establish a competitive grant program for employers to partner with schools, career 
and technical education centers and the Maine Community College System to create new 
training opportunities to address workforce gaps;
8. Fund innovative pilot programs, such as mobile training units; 
9. Develop, in consultation with the Department of Administrative and Financial 
Services, Bureau of Revenue Services, employer tax incentives for workforce investments; 
10. Coordinate with the Department of Labor to address labor shortages in underserved 
regions by offering temporary housing and commuting or relocation stipends; 
11. Conduct audits of workforce education to identify inefficient programs and, upon 
discovery, reallocate the funds to initiatives with measurable outcomes; and
12. Submit a report no later than December 3, 2025 to the Joint Standing Committee 
on Education and Cultural Affairs with suggested legislation.