H.P. 1115 - L.D. 1574
An Act to Improve Access to Education for Parents as Scholars Program Participants
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3790, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 530, Pt. B, §1, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
3. Program requirements. An enrollee must participate in a combination of education, training, study or work-site experience for an average of 20 hours per week in the first 24 months of the program. Aid under this chapter may continue beyond 24 months if the enrollee remains in an educational program and agrees to participate in either of the following options:
A. Fifteen hours per week of work-site experience in addition to other education, training or study; or
B. A total of 40 hours of education, training, study or work-site experience.
The department shall present both options to enrollees and permit them to choose either option. For the purpose of this subsection, work-site experience includes, but is not limited to, paid employment, work study, practicums, internships, clinical placements, laboratory or field work directly related to the enrollee's employment goal or any other work activities that, as determined by the department, will enhance the enrollee's employability in the enrollee's field. In the last semester of the enrollee's educational program, work-site experience may also include resume preparation, employment research, interviews and other activities related to job placement.
The department shall make reasonable adjustments in the participation requirements in this subsection for good cause. For the purpose of this subsection, "good cause" means circumstances in which the required participation would cause the enrollee to seriously compromise academic performance. "Good cause" includes, but is not limited to, a verifiable need to take care of a family member with special needs, a physical or mental health problem, illness, accident, death or a serious personal or family problem that necessitates reduced participation or time off from education, training or work. An enrollee receiving aid under this chapter must make satisfactory progress in the enrollee's educational program. The department shall adopt rules defining satisfactory academic progress. The department may not disapprove an educational plan based solely on the length of the educational program.
Effective September 18, 1999, unless otherwise indicated.
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