122nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 405		LR 1123(01)
	Resolve, To Establish a Long-term Care Education Pilot Program for Registered Nurses
	Fiscal Note for Original Bill
	Sponsor: Sen. Martin of Aroostook
	Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Undetermined current biennium cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	Public Law 2001, Chapter 439, Part HHHH established the Health Care Training Fund and provided a one-time General Fund appropriation of $80,000 in fiscal year 2001-02 to support the Health Workforce Retraining Program within the Maine Community College System.  Public Law 2001, Chapter 559, Part B-3 deappropriated $1,600 from the Fund in FY2001-02 and expenditures totaled $78,400, leaving a zero balance in the Fund at the end of the 2001-02 fiscal year.  No additional appropriations have been made to the Fund to-date.
	The Health Care Training Fund within the Maine Community College System will require additional General Fund appropriations beginning in fiscal year 2005-06 to establish a pilot program for the education of registered nurses who are interested in working in long-term care.  The amount can not be determined at this time.  The total cost of the pilot program is estimated to be $340,000 per year based on 8 students per class at each of the four sites at approximately $10,000 per student plus $20,000 for curriculum development and on-going modification.
	This legislation provides that the cost of the pilot program is to be shared equally between the State and private sector.  If the Maine Community College System receives private donations for the pilot program equal to half of the $340,000 estimated annual cost, the General Fund appropriation required would be approximately $170,000 per year.  However, if private donations are less than $170,000 per year, additional General Fund appropriations may be required or the number of  participants in the pilot program may need to be reduced.