This bill establishes the Access to Justice Loan Program and Access to Justice Loan Program Revolving Fund under the Finance Authority of Maine for the purpose of awarding loans to and entering into loan repayment agreements with eligible Maine residents. Eligibility is limited to Maine residents who demonstrate an interest in or commitment to providing legal services in an underserved area of the State and who are enrolled or intend to enroll in an accredited law school and demonstrate financial need or have graduated from an accredited law school within the prior 5 years, are licensed or eligible to be licensed to practice law in the State and have outstanding law school loans. The maximum amount of a loan to or loan repayment agreement with a program participant is $25,000 per year for a period of up to 4 years. The bill also directs the University of Maine System, to the extent sufficient funding is available, to establish at the University of Maine School of Law a rural practice track to support the practice of law in underserved areas in the State. Among other things, the rural practice track must be designed to:
1. Provide, in each academic year, a housing stipend sufficient to cover the cost of dormitory housing at the University of Southern Maine for up to 6 first-year or 2nd-year law school students who reside in underserved areas in the State or who have demonstrated a commitment to and aptitude for practicing law in those areas upon graduation; and
2. Provide, in each semester of the academic year and over the summer, internship, externship or other professional opportunities with organizations and other entities that provide legal services to individuals in underserved areas in the State for up to 6 2nd-year or 3rd-year law school students who reside in underserved areas in the State or who have
44 demonstrated a commitment to and aptitude for practicing law in those areas upon
45 graduation. No later than January 1, 2026, the University of Maine System is required to submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs and to the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary outlining its plan for implementation of the rural practice track at the University of Maine School of Law, including any recommendations for legislative or other action. After reviewing the report, either committee may report out legislation related to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.