23 This bill does the following.
1. It replaces the early childhood educator workforce salary supplement system with the Salary Sustainability Program for Child Care Professionals. It establishes requirements for the program, requires 5-year assessments and provides funding for the program.
2. It enacts the child care staff scholarship program established as a pilot program in Public Law 2023, chapter 643, Part TT as a permanent program in the Maine Revised Statutes known as the Maine Child Care Affordability Program Child Care Award.
3. It establishes a program of child care provider scholarships for early childhood education or related fields to eligible individuals pursuing associate, bachelor's or graduate degrees or certificates in those fields.
4. It establishes a program of apprenticeships for individuals employed or seeking employment at a licensed child care facility or licensed family child care provider.
5. It requires the State Board of Education to update its plan for career and technical education centers to include opportunities for early childhood education and child care education at career and technical education centers around the State.
6. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a long-term plan for financial sustainability of the Maine Child Care Affordability Program and submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services no later than January 2, 2026.
7. It requires an appropriation of $3,800,000 to the Maine Child Care Affordability Program and a yearly appropriation of $500,000 for wage supplement awards and $1,000,000 to support child care needs.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 1955, SP 763: 22.3737