An Act to Establish the Maine Child Care Affordability Program
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1728
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: INGWERSEN, GRAHAM, DAUGHTRY
Amends: 5 MRSA §12004-I, 22 MRSA §3731-B, 22 MRSA §3731

Legislative Document
No. 1728
S.P. 674
In Senate, April 17, 2025
An Act to Establish the Maine Child Care Affordability Program 
Advisory Board
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator INGWERSEN of York.
Cosponsored by Representative GRAHAM of North Yarmouth and
Senators: President DAUGHTRY of Cumberland, NANGLE of Cumberland, RENY of 
Lincoln.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, there is a waiting list for the Maine Child Care Affordability Program that 
requires funding; and
Whereas, accessible and affordable high-quality child care services are a key 
component of the State's economic development strategy; and
Whereas, it is important to provide individuals on the waiting list with accessible and 
affordable high-quality child care services as soon as possible; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§36-G is enacted to read:
36-G.  
Human Services Maine Child Care 
Affordability Program 
Advisory Board
Not Authorized
MRSA §3731-B
Sec. 2.  22 MRSA §3731, sub-§5 is enacted to read:
5.  Board.  "Board" means the Maine Child Care Affordability Program Advisory 
Board established pursuant to Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 36-G.
Sec. 3.  22 MRSA §3731-B is enacted to read:
§3731-B.  Maine Child Care Affordability Program Advisory Board
The Maine Child Care Affordability Program Advisory Board is established to advise 
the Office of Child and Family Services on the operations of the Maine Child Care 
Affordability Program established in section 3731-A.
1.  Membership.  The board consists of 5 members appointed as follows:
A.   One member of the Legislature, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate 
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, for a 2-year term served concurrently 
with the legislative term;
B.  One member from the Office of Child and Family Services with expertise in the 
financial implications of changes to child care programs, appointed by the 
commissioner;
C.  One member of the public who represents child care providers, appointed by the 
commissioner; and
D.  Two members of the public with expertise in child care services, appointed by the 
commissioner.
2.  Terms.  With the exception of the member of the Legislature appointed to the board 
pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph A, the term of a member of the board is 3 years.  A 
member may be reappointed to serve on the board.
3.  Duties.  The board shall review and offer advice to the Office of Child and Family 
Services on the Maine Child Care Affordability Program established in section 3731-A, 
including any changes suggested by the board.
4.  Meetings; quorum.  The board shall meet at least quarterly and more frequently 
when necessary.  A simple majority of members constitutes a quorum.
5.  Compensation.  A board member is not eligible for compensation.
6.  Chair.  The board shall elect annually a chair from among its members to serve for 
years.  The chair may be reelected.  The board shall maintain the minutes of board 
meetings.  
7.  Report.  The board shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters, annually, no later 
than January 2nd with its activities and any recommendations for the Maine Child Care 
Affordability Program established in section 3731-A.  The joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters is authorized to 
report out legislation related to the report in the session in which the report is submitted.
Sec. 4.  Staggered terms.  Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, 
section 3731-B, subsection 2, one member of the public representing child care providers 
and one member of the public with expertise in child care services are appointed for initial 
terms of 2 years.
Sec. 5.  Maine Child Care Affordability Program rules.  The Department of 
Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services shall amend its rule 
Chapter 6: Child Care Affordability Program Rules, to add to the priority list of families 
with children who are on the waiting list for child care services, employees of child care 
facilities and family child care providers who are eligible for the Maine Child Care 
Affordability Program established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 3731-A.
Sec. 6.  Sustainability of Maine Child Care Affordability Program.  The 
Department of Health and Human Services, together with the Maine Child Care 
Affordability Program Advisory Board established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, 
section 12004-I, subsection 36-G, shall develop a long-term plan that ensures financial 
sustainability of the Maine Child Care Affordability Program established in Title 22, 
section 3731-A.  The plan must include the necessary level of funding that must be 
appropriated in order to serve all families who qualify for the Maine Child Care 
Affordability Program.  The department shall submit a report with the long-term plan to 
the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services no later than January 2, 2026.  
The Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services is authorized to report out 
legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.
Sec. 7.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Child Care Services 0563
Initiative: Provides one-time funding for the Maine Child Care Affordability Program.
GENERAL FUND
2025-26
2026-27
All Other
$3,800,000
$0
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$3,800,000
$0
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
The bill establishes the Maine Child Care Affordability Program Advisory Board to 
advise the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services 
on the Maine Child Care Affordability Program, including any program changes.  The 
board consists of 5 members, with the legislative member serving a 2-year term, and the 
remaining 4 members serving 3-year terms.  The board must meet at least quarterly and 
submit an annual report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over health and human services matters on its activities and with its 
recommendations.  The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
health and human services matters is authorized to report out legislation in the year in which 
the report is submitted.  
The bill requires the Office of Child and Family Services to amend its rule Chapter 6: 
Child Care Affordability Program Rules, to add child care employees who qualify for the 
program to be included in the families who are prioritized when there is a waiting list for 
the program.
The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services together with the 
Maine Child Care Affordability Program Advisory Board to develop a long-term plan for 
financial sustainability of the Maine Child Care Affordability Program and submit the 
report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services no later than January 
2, 2026.
The bill requires an appropriation of $3,800,000 to clear the current waiting list for the 
Maine Child Care Affordability Program.