An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the Maine State Grant Program

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

Whereas,  the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 11616 imposes limitations on the duration of Maine State Grant Program funding for students in order to encourage degree completion and conserve scarce public resources; and

Whereas,  during the First Regular Session of the 129th Legislature, the Legislature appropriated additional funds to the Maine State Grant Program in order to facilitate the return to education and completion of degrees by adult learners in order to contribute to their personal well-being and the state workforce; and

Whereas,  a provision in the laws governing the program prevents an adult learner from receiving a grant for more than 10 semesters or the equivalent thereof at the institution the adult learner attends; and

Whereas,  this legislation increases the semester limit from 10 to 12 semesters for adult learners and needs to take effect for fiscal year 2019-20; 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. 20-A MRSA §11616, sub-§2,  as amended by PL 2011, c. 642, §6, is further amended to read:

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

summary

This bill allows an adult learner benefiting from a grant under the Maine State Grant Program to receive up to 12 semesters' worth of grant funding.