15 This bill directs the Department of Education to develop, by July 1, 2026, a pilot
16 program to provide tuition assistance to students pursuing a degree in early childhood
17 education or a related field. In developing the program, the department must provide that
18 students awarded assistance must be ineligible for free community college enrollment,
19 must reside in a county with a population under 100,000 and must also apply for federal
20 financial aid. This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop, by July 1,
2026, a pilot program to provide grants to child care providers licensed under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 8301-A, subsection 2 and family child care providers licensed under Title 22, section 8301-A, subsection 3 and located in counties with populations under 100,000 to open or expand child care programs. This bill also includes a one-time appropriation of $600,000 to implement these pilot programs.