An Act to Amend the Law Governing the Competitive Skills
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1956
Committee: Labor
Sponsors: ROTUNDO, FECTEAU
Amends: 26 MRSA §1166, 26 MRSA §2033, 26 MRSA §2065, 26 MRSA §2066

Legislative Document
No. 1956
S.P. 764
In Senate, May 7, 2025
An Act to Amend the Law Governing the Competitive Skills 
Scholarship Program and Establish the Community Workforce 
Connections Program
Reference to the Committee on Labor suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin.
Cosponsored by Speaker FECTEAU of Biddeford and
Senators: DUSON of Cumberland, RENY of Lincoln, TIPPING of Penobscot, Representatives: 
BECK of South Portland, BRENNAN of Portland, DHALAC of South Portland, ROEDER of 
Bangor, STOVER of Boothbay.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  26 MRSA §1166, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 352, Pt. A, §1, is 
amended by amending the first blocked paragraph to read:
The money in the fund must be administered by the commissioner exclusively for the 
purposes of chapter 25, subchapter 5 and section 2066 and for the costs of administering 
the fund.
Sec. 2.  26 MRSA §2033, sub-§1, ¶A-2 is enacted to read:
A-2.  "Cohort" means a group of students or participants who work through a 
curriculum or prescribed program together to achieve the same academic degree, 
certificate or similar credential together.
Sec. 3.  26 MRSA §2033, sub-§1, ¶B-1 is enacted to read:
B-1.  "Marketable postsecondary degree" means an industry-recognized credential, 
vocational certificate or license, associate degree, bachelor's degree or a graduate 
certificate or degree. A degree is not considered a marketable postsecondary degree if:
(1)  The applicant can show that the postsecondary degree prepared the applicant 
for a specific occupation that the applicant is no longer able to perform due to 
physical or mental health limitations;
(2)  The postsecondary degree is not recognized by or equivalent to that which is 
required by the appropriate professional licensing body in this State; or
(3)  The applicant can show that the postsecondary degree does not enable the 
applicant to obtain employment in a labor market that meets the requirements of 
subsection 4, paragraph A.
Sec. 4.  26 MRSA §2033, sub-§5, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 352, Pt. A, §3, is 
amended to read:
B.  Does not have a marketable postsecondary degree that the individual can use to 
obtain employment in an industry that meets the requirements established in subsection 
4;
Sec. 5.  26 MRSA §2033, sub-§5, ¶C, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 352, Pt. A, §3, is 
repealed and the following enacted in its place:
C.  Has income of less than 275% of the federal poverty level for the family size 
involved or, at the time of application, the individual or a dependent living in the 
individual's household is receiving assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition 
Assistance Program; the MaineCare program; the Temporary Assistance for Needy 
Families program; the Reception and Placement or Refugee Cash Assistance programs 
under 8 United States Code, Section 1522; the federal supplemental security income 
program; or the fuel assistance program under Title 30-A, section 4991;
Sec. 6.  26 MRSA §2033, sub-§5-B is enacted to read:
5-B.  Cohort-based programs, student eligibility.  The commissioner shall adopt 
rules in accordance with this section to provide for the approval of cohort-based education 
or training programs and eligibility for individuals participating in those programs. Such 
programs must be targeted to serve low-income individuals and individuals who may face 
barriers to education or successful workforce participation, including, but not limited to, 
first-generation college students, formerly incarcerated individuals, individuals enrolled in 
needs-based government assistance programs, unemployed and underemployed 
individuals, persons with disabilities, immigrants and individuals with underrepresented 
genders and racial identities, for the purposes of increasing these individuals' economic 
security.
Notwithstanding subsection 5, an individual in a cohort approved by the commissioner 
pursuant to this subsection is eligible for all program services under this section for which 
all other eligible individuals would be qualified to receive in accordance with rules adopted 
pursuant to subsection 9.
Sec. 7.  26 MRSA §2033, sub-§6, ¶A, as amended by PL 2023, c. 184, §5, is further 
amended by amending the 2nd blocked paragraph to read:
Registered apprentices and individuals participating in a plan that includes a certified 
preapprenticeship training program approved pursuant to subsection 4 are eligible for 
services under this subsection, including those necessary to participate in any on-the-
job learning component of the program, as long as the registered apprentices and 
individuals meet the requirement of subsection 5, paragraph C or are enrolled in a 
cohort approved by the commissioner pursuant to subsection 5-B.
Sec. 8.  26 MRSA §2033, sub-§7, as amended by PL 2023, c. 184, §6, is repealed 
and the following enacted in its place:
7.  Application and decision.  An individual must be given the opportunity to make a 
written application for education, training and support available from the program and be 
given a prompt written decision from the department, within 30 days from the date that the 
individual's application is received by the department, specifically indicating the type and 
amount of services approved or denied, except that, at the request of the individual, the 
department shall extend the deadline by an additional 15 days for the purpose of providing 
additional information necessary to establish eligibility. If information needed from a 3rd 
party necessary to determine eligibility is not available at the time of the deadline, this 
deadline may be extended until that information is available. The department shall provide 
guidance and assist the individual to the extent possible in promptly securing any 3rd-party 
information necessary to determine eligibility.
Services, including tuition, books, fees, stipends, child care and transportation, for which 
the applicant is determined eligible must be provided retroactively to the date of application 
or the date there is demonstrated need for services covered by the program and required for 
successful participation, whichever is later.  Other services may be provided retroactively 
as determined by the department when necessary for the successful participation of an 
eligible individual.
The department may not deny eligibility to any applicant for lack of information necessary 
to verify eligibility unless it has first sought to access that information from any electronic 
or other resource reasonably available to the department.  If needed information to complete 
the application is not available, the department shall contact the applicant at least 20 days 
following the applicant's date of application by the applicant's preferred method of 
communication to notify the applicant of any additional or missing information needed by 
the department and to provide additional guidance that the applicant can use to obtain 
information necessary to establish eligibility to the extent possible.
The costs for an educational transcript, credential evaluation or similar requirement needed 
to determine eligibility for the program must be paid for by the program for any applicant 
who is otherwise eligible for participation, as determined by the department, if funds are 
not reasonably available from another source for this purpose.
Sec. 9.  26 MRSA §2033, sub-§7-A is enacted to read:
7-A.  Appeal.  A written decision related to eligibility for, or the provision of, services 
under this section must provide notice that the decision may be appealed by an individual 
through a request for a hearing within 30 days of receipt of the decision in accordance with 
rules adopted by the department and consistent with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 4. The 
30-day appeal period may be extended up to 15 additional days if the individual can show 
good cause for failing to appeal within the initial 30-day period. If the individual files a 
written appeal within 10 days of a decision to terminate the participant from the program 
or terminate or reduce assistance being provided, the decision may not be implemented 
pending the outcome of the appeal process. If no appeal is filed, the decision becomes final.
The first step in the appeal process is reconsideration of the decision by a program manager. 
The program manager shall issue a written decision within 15 days of the filing of the 
appeal and may consider new evidence presented during the appeal process. The decision 
may reflect a resolution to the appeal or, if a resolution was not reached, it must reflect the 
program manager's decision.
If the program manager issues a written decision that is adverse to the individual, the 
department shall advise in that notice that the individual has a right to appeal the decision 
within 30 days of receiving the notice to an impartial hearing officer, who will make a new 
decision in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 4.  The appeal period may be 
extended up to an additional 15 days for good cause.
A hearing officer shall render a decision within 30 days of the hearing request and may 
affirm, set aside, modify or remand the program manager's decision. A hearing decision 
affirming, setting aside or modifying the program manager's decision pursuant to this 
subsection is final agency action and may be appealed to the Superior Court.  
Sec. 10.  26 MRSA c. 26-A, sub-c. 2, headnote is amended to read:
SUBCHAPTER 2
PEER WORKFORCE NAVIGATOR PILOT COMMUNITY WORKFORCE 
CONNECTIONS PROGRAM
Sec. 11.  26 MRSA §2065, as enacted by PL 2021, c. 456, §37, is repealed.
Sec. 12.  26 MRSA §2066 is enacted to read:
§2066.  Community Workforce Connections Program
1.  Community Workforce Connections Program established.  The Community 
Workforce Connections Program, referred to in this subchapter as "the program," is 
established. No later than October 1, 2025, the Commissioner of Labor, referred to in this 
subchapter as "the commissioner," shall implement the program statewide to offer 
meaningful peer support and workforce navigation to unemployed and underemployed 
workers via peer navigators employed by community-based organizations. The program 
must prioritize individuals from populations that may face significant barriers to 
employment as described in subsection 2, paragraph A and support successful access to 
Department of Labor resources and maintenance of sustainable employment to increase 
their economic security. The Department of Labor, referred to in this subchapter as "the 
department," shall issue a request for proposals in accordance with state procurement law 
to contract with qualified entities to operate the program under subsection 2.  The program 
shall: 
A.  Provide culturally appropriate, person-centered and relationship-focused peer 
workforce navigation services that are based on a strengths-based case management 
model and performed by individuals with shared lived experience. The program shall 
advocate for, and provide sustained and reliable support to, individuals in their 
transitions to improved economic security through employment, including by 
providing education about program rules and community resources to facilitate 
informed self-advocacy and life planning;
B.  Work with community organizations, known and trusted by individuals described 
in subsection 2, paragraph A, and through trusted peer navigators to proactively 
identify and engage with unemployed and underemployed individuals and provide 
them with the workforce navigation services under paragraph A and opportunities for 
education, training, employment and reemployment assistance; 
C.  Introduce and connect individuals to career centers operated by the department, its 
workforce partners and educational institutions and help the individuals, as needed, 
navigate employment services and education and training programs operated by these 
entities. The program shall help facilitate communication and trust building between 
the individuals and these entities, including providing help completing applications; 
assistance with complying with eligibility verification processes; and support for 
participant progress and persistence; 
D.  Provide timely, responsive, flexible and individualized support when necessary to 
help individuals meet basic needs so the individuals are more able to successfully 
engage with work-related support services and find and retain employment, which 
includes accessing support from both public and private sources, including support for 
transportation, utilities and child care;
E.  Promote trusted and successful relationships between individuals and government 
agencies by furthering understanding of employment, education and training programs, 
public assistance programs and associated rules, regulations, responsibilities and rights, 
and any socioeconomic barriers to accessing these programs;  
F.  Conduct outreach to communities with disproportionately low enrollment in 
unemployment insurance and reemployment assistance. The program shall provide 
individual assistance, education and referrals for individuals applying for and making 
ongoing claims for unemployment compensation, including offering assistance 
connecting with department staff and coaching on self-advocacy for claimants 
experiencing barriers to services. The program shall inform individuals about 
provisions of law that may assist low-income and frequently unemployed individuals 
disproportionately, including the dislocated worker benefits program under section 
1043, subsection 5, paragraph B and section 1191, subsection 4, paragraph A, partial 
unemployment benefits and reemployment services; and
G.  Identify systemic issues creating barriers to successful employment or 
reemployment for individuals seeking jobs, including improvements to employment 
and training programs under chapter 25 and the unemployment compensation system 
under chapter 13, and work to reduce those barriers. 
2.  Qualified entities.  To be eligible to receive a workforce navigation contract under 
this section, an entity must: 
A.  Demonstrate that it has existing, trusted relationships with individuals, groups and 
organizations from populations that may face significant barriers to employment, 
including immigrants; individuals with limited English proficiency; individuals 
without postsecondary training or college degrees; low-income and homeless 
individuals; individuals who have been out of the workforce for an extended period; 
individuals with low literacy, including digital literacy; individuals with substance use 
disorder; individuals facing gender-based discrimination; individuals with disabilities; 
indigenous and tribal populations; single-parent households; and low-income working 
families;
B.  Have the capability to carry out the duties of this section, including knowledge of 
eligibility requirements and application processes related to education and training 
services, including apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs, reemployment 
services, the unemployment compensation system under chapter 13 and other resources 
necessary to help populations that may face significant barriers to employment as 
described in paragraph A successfully participate in employment and increase their 
economic security;   
C.  Comply with existing confidentiality standards to ensure the privacy of all 
information collected from individuals receiving workforce navigation services; and   
D.  Provide services under this section without charge to the individuals receiving those 
services.   
3.  Commissioner's duties; award criteria; workforce navigation services.  The 
commissioner shall establish standards for the awarding of contracts to qualified entities in 
accordance with this subsection. 
A.  The commissioner may award multiple contracts to perform one or more of the 
services described in this section.   
B.  To support the maintenance of relationships between qualified entities and 
populations that may face significant barriers to employment as described in subsection 
2, paragraph A and to ensure a high quality of service, the commissioner shall award 
multi-year contracts to qualified entities as long as the qualified entities satisfy 
performance requirements set forth in the contracts. 
C.  The commissioner shall give priority for contracts to qualified entities that are a 
recognized source of support, expertise and community leadership for populations that 
may face significant barriers to employment as described in subsection 2, paragraph A, 
including racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with low literacy, individuals with 
disabilities and other low-income individuals with socioeconomic barriers to 
employment and education. 
D.  Workforce navigation services provided by qualified entities that receive workforce 
navigation contracts must be coordinated with and supplement, not supplant, services 
provided by the department.   
E.  All workforce navigation services provided under this subsection must be 
performed in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate to the population 
served, including individuals with limited English proficiency, individuals with low 
literacy and individuals with disabilities, recognizing the varying levels of digital 
literacy and access to technology among individuals in need of services.   
4.  Funding.  Of the Competitive Skills Scholarship Fund planned yield described in 
section 1166, at least 12% of the annual planned yield must be used for the program. Any 
funds not expended in the contract year by the contracted entity must be returned to the 
Competitive Skills Scholarship Fund, except that any funds for expenses that occurred in 
that contract year but were not yet paid in that year must remain available to the contracted 
entity. The department may also seek any available opportunities for funding as needed to 
support and enhance the workforce navigation services provided under this section.
SUMMARY
This bill eliminates the peer workforce navigator pilot program and establishes the 
Community Workforce Connections Program beginning October 1, 2025 to provide peer 
support and community-based workforce navigation services to unemployed and 
underemployed individuals facing barriers to employment to help them increase their 
economic security.  The bill provides that the program be funded by the Competitive Skills 
Scholarship Fund.
The bill amends the law governing the Competitive Skills Scholarship Program to 
authorize an added method of service delivery through an educational cohort model 
targeted to assist low-income individuals and individuals who may face barriers to 
education or successful workforce participation participating in a shared curriculum or 
program; increases the ways in which individuals can qualify for the program; and changes 
the application, decision and appeal process.