An Act Regarding Adult Education Funding and Oversight
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1705
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: SARGENT, LIBBY
Amends: 20-A MRSA §14, 20-A MRSA §8606-A, 20-A MRSA §8607-B

Legislative Document
No. 1705
H.P. 1140
House of Representatives, April 17, 2025
An Act Regarding Adult Education Funding and Oversight
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative SARGENT of York.
Cosponsored by Senator LIBBY of Cumberland and
Representatives: BRENNAN of Portland, DODGE of Belfast, FARRIN of Jefferson, 
GRAHAM of North Yarmouth, HEPLER of Woolwich, MITCHELL of Cumberland, 
MURPHY of Scarborough, SHAGOURY of Hallowell.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, adult education programs across the State provide essential services to 
thousands of residents, including those in workforce development programs, adult basic 
education programs such as English language acquisition programs, high school 
equivalency and diploma programs, college transitions programming, digital literacy 
programs and those in lifelong learning programs; and
Whereas, adult education has been chronically underfunded at the state level for over 
years, creating a significant strain on local communities and programs; and
Whereas, the working group convened pursuant to Public Law 2023, chapter 412, 
Part RRR, section 2 and tasked with studying adult education funding did not have time to 
fully address funding concerns or develop an improved funding solution; and
Whereas, fully funding adult education is essential to meeting the State's economic 
and workforce development goals, addressing the needs of growing immigrant and refugee 
populations in the State and providing equitable access to education for all residents of the 
State; and
Whereas, the career advancement and navigation pilot program established pursuant 
to Public Law 2021, chapter 483, Part LL has been very successful and is slated to end 
without additional funding; and
Whereas, career advancement and navigation pilot program staff provide students 
with academic support, transition support for students entering community college and 
referrals to resources on and off campus; and
Whereas, this legislation codifies the pilot program in order to prevent a lapse in 
services from the program; 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.  20-A MRSA §14 is enacted to read:
§14.  Career Advancement and Navigation Program
The Career Advancement and Navigation Program is established within the department 
as a continuation of the pilot program under Public Law 2021, chapter 483, Part LL in the 
Governor’s Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan dated May 4, 2021.  The department, in 
collaboration with the Maine Community College System, must employ one college and 
career success coordinator at each community college campus.  The coordinators shall 
work alongside existing community college staff to provide students with:
1.  Academic support.  Academic support, including, but not limited to, assistance 
with navigating learning platforms, setting of goals, creation of academic plans and 
development of time management strategies;
2.  Transition support.  Transition support for students entering community college;
3.  Advising services.  Advising services, including, but not limited to, success 
coaching, course collection, promoting self-sufficiency, career planning and graduation 
planning; and
4.  Referrals.  Referrals to resources on and off campus, including, but not limited to, 
tutoring services, financial aid, adult education programs, housing services, employment 
opportunities and other community support.
Sec. 2.  20-A MRSA §8606-A, sub-§8 is enacted to read:
8.  Annual assessment and reporting.  The department shall annually assess adult 
education needs in the State relative to funding appropriated by the Legislature.  By 
December 3, 2025 and annually thereafter, the department shall submit a report to the joint 
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters with the 
findings of the assessment.  The report must include:
A. Funding allocated to each adult education program in the State;
B. The impact of funding on adult education program outcomes; 
C. Additional funding needs; and
D. Recommendations on improvements to adult education.
Sec. 3.  20-A MRSA §8606-A, sub-§9 is enacted to read:
9.  Funds not disbursed; justification.  If funds appropriated for adult education are 
not disbursed in accordance with the reimbursement procedures and rates described in this 
section and in section 8607-A, the department shall submit to the Legislature a detailed 
written explanation describing the reason the funds were not disbursed and describing the 
purpose of the funds.
Sec. 4.  20-A MRSA §8607-B is enacted to read:
§8607-B.  Program oversight
1.  Guidelines.  The department shall adopt and maintain clear, transparent and 
consistent guidelines for the use of state funds for adult education programs to ensure fiscal 
responsibility and alignment with state goals.
2.  Stakeholder input.  Prior to finalizing its budget, the department shall biennially 
convene a stakeholder group to provide the department with input on statewide goals for 
adult education, funding priorities and statewide program improvements.  The stakeholder 
group must include, but is not limited to:
A. One or more members that serve as directors of adult education programs in the 
State;
B. One or more members representing a statewide adult education professional 
association;
C. One or more members that serve as adult education instructors in the State; and
D. One or more members representing adult education students.
Sec. 5.  Appropriation.  The Legislature shall appropriate to the Department of 
Education from the General Fund an amount equal to 100% of the state obligation for adult 
education funding in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 
8606-A, subsection 4.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the Career Advancement and Navigation Program within the 
Department of Education in collaboration with the Maine Community College System.  
The program requires the department to employ one college and career success coordinator 
at each community college campus to provide students with academic support, advisory 
services and referrals to community services.
The bill also requires the Department of Education to annually assess adult education 
needs in the State relative to funding appropriated by the Legislature and requires the 
department to annually submit a report to the Legislature detailing its assessment and 
recommendations.  The bill also requires the department to submit to the Legislature a 
detailed written explanation for any funding for adult education that is not disbursed in 
accordance with the reimbursement procedures described in the laws governing adult 
education.  The department is also required to adopt guidelines for the use of state funds 
for adult education programs and to convene a stakeholder group to provide input on 
statewide goals for adult education, funding priorities and statewide program 
improvements.  The bill requires the Legislature to appropriate from the General Fund an 
amount equal to 100% of the state obligation for adult education funding in accordance 
with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 8606-A, subsection 4.