An Act Pertaining to the Quality Child Care Education Scholarship Fund

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  pursuant to Public Law 1999, chapter 401, Part OOO, section 5 and Public Law 1999, chapter 783, section 1, the Quality Child Care Education Scholarship Fund was established, and the Finance Authority of Maine was authorized to adopt rules for determining amounts of scholarships, among other things; and

Whereas,  the Finance Authority of Maine has adopted a rule that currently sets scholarship amounts at $500 per eligible course for an annual maximum disbursement of $2,000 per student; and

Whereas,  Public Law 2007, chapter 683, Part B, section 3 directed the Finance Authority of Maine to amend its rule to increase the annual maximum scholarship disbursement from $2,000 to $3,000 without providing additional funding; and

Whereas,  increasing the annual maximum disbursement will result in fewer students receiving scholarships and is not in the best interests of the scholarship program or Maine students; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. PL 2007, c. 683, Pt. B, §3  is repealed.

Sec. 3. Public education; simplification of application. The Finance Authority of Maine shall undertake a public education campaign to increase the level of awareness of loans available for improvements to the physical site of child care facilities granted under the Regional Economic Development Revolving Loan Program and shall simplify the application to be submitted by those seeking loans under this program. By January 15, 2009, the Finance Authority of Maine shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters outlining the campaign and the simplification of the application.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill repeals Public Law 2007, chapter 683, Part B, section 3, which sought to increase the annual maximum disbursement amount of quality child care education scholarships as set forth in Chapter 613 of the rules of the Finance Authority of Maine without additional funding.