WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

LD 1955

An Act To Increase Child Care Affordability And Early Childhood Educator Stability

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rick Bennett and 7 co-sponsors

The bill would create a Maine Child Care Affordability Program and a Salary Sustainability Program to lower family care costs and boost early childhood educator pay and stability.

Died in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD)
#affordability #childcare #childrenandfamilies
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LD 1955

Summary — LD 1955: An Act To Increase Child Care Affordability And Early Childhood Educator Stability

Purpose

LD 1955 aims to improve access to affordable child care for families in Maine and to increase stability and compensation supports for early childhood educators by creating/expanding targeted programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Key provisions

  • Establishes a "Maine Child Care Affordability Program" to provide resources to reduce family child care costs (details of eligibility, benefit amounts, and delivery mechanisms would be set in program rules or companion language).
  • Establishes a "Salary Sustainability Program for Child Care Professionals" intended to support recruitment, retention, and compensation stability for early childhood educators.
  • Assigns implementation and expenditure authority to the Department of Health and Human Services. The State Board of Education may have minor administrative responsibilities; any costs to that board are expected to be absorbable within existing budgets.

Fiscal impact (as reported)

Two different fiscal scenarios are reflected in successive fiscal notes because the bill was amended in the Senate.

  • Committee-amended version (LR2206(02)):

    • FY 2025‑26: Net General Fund cost = $5,300,000
    • One-time General Fund appropriation: $3,800,000 for the Maine Child Care Affordability Program (FY25‑26)
    • Ongoing General Fund appropriations beginning FY25‑26: $1,000,000 for the Affordability Program and $500,000 for the Salary Sustainability Program (total ongoing = $1,500,000/year)
    • FY 2026‑27 and forward: Net General Fund cost = $1,500,000 per year (ongoing)

  • Senate amendment to the committee amendment (LR2206(04)):

    • Removes the General Fund appropriations described above (eliminating the $5.3M GF cost).
    • Provides an ongoing Other Special Revenue Funds allocation of $500 (to allow expenditures for the Salary Sustainability Program).
    • Fiscal note records this as a $5.3M General Fund savings with a $500 SRF allocation annually.

Who is affected

  • Families with young children (potentially lower child care costs under the Affordability Program).
  • Early childhood educators and child care centers (eligibility for salary/compensation support under the Salary Sustainability Program).
  • Department of Health and Human Services (program administration).
  • State Board of Education (minor administrative effects).

Procedural status & timeline

  • Introduced: May 7, 2025 (Committee on Health and Human Services).
  • Committee work: Reported out as OTP‑AM; work session and adoption of Committee Amendment "A" (S‑355).
  • Senate actions: Committee Amendment "A" was further amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S‑483) and adopted; bill passed both chambers as amended.
  • Passed to be enacted: June 25, 2025.
  • Current status: HELD BY THE GOVERNOR (as of July 8, 2025) — awaiting the Governor’s signature, veto, or further action.

Notes and implications

  • The bill’s substantive program design (eligibility, benefit amounts, distribution mechanisms) is summarized at a high level here; program rules and implementation details would determine the actual impact on families and providers.
  • The fiscal outcome depends on whether the enacted version contains the committee funding (significant GF investment) or the senate amendment that removes GF funding and leaves only a minimal SRF authorization. If the Governor signs the version with GF appropriations, DHHS would receive multi‑million dollar funding to operate the programs; if the Governor allows the Senate amendment version to take effect, state GF costs would be eliminated and program activity would be minimal or constrained by lack of funding.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.