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LD 967

An Act To Reinvigorate Maine'S Workforce And Ensure Student Job Readiness By Providing Funds For The Career Exploration Program

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rick Bennett and 8 co-sponsors

Permanently funds Maine's Career Exploration Program and adds a Public Service Coordinator I at DECD to sustain and expand student job readiness.

Died in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD)
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Bill Summary · LD 967

LD 967 — An Act to Reinvigorate Maine's Workforce and Ensure Student Job Readiness by Providing Funds for the Career Exploration Program

Overview

LD 967 proposes ongoing state funding to support Maine’s Career Exploration Program and to strengthen student job readiness as part of workforce development. The bill aims to reinvigorate the workforce by enabling coordinated career exploration efforts for students, with a new staffing position to sustain the program.

Purpose and Intent

  • Improve student preparation for the workforce through expanded career exploration activities.
  • Provide funding and organizational support to ensure the Career Exploration Program is continued and made permanent.
  • Leverage public service and workforce development to align student experiences with Maine employers.

Key Provisions

  • Creates ongoing General Fund appropriations to support the Career Exploration Program.
  • Establishes and funds one Public Service Coordinator I position within the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to administer and support the Career Exploration Program.
  • The program and position are intended to be ongoing, not one-time, starting in the fiscal year following enactment.

Fiscal Impact

  • FY 2025-26: Net cost $0; no General Fund appropriation in this year.
  • FY 2026-27: General Fund appropriation of $138,892 to continue and make permanent the Public Service Coordinator I position at DECD.
  • FY 2027-28: General Fund appropriation of $143,919.
  • FY 2028-29: General Fund appropriation of $149,142.
  • The fiscal notes indicate that the ongoing funding would begin in FY 2026-27, with modest growth in subsequent years. The net cost in 2025-26 is shown as zero.

Beneficiaries and Affected Agencies

  • Primary: Maine students participating in career exploration activities and job readiness programs.
  • Primary State Agency: Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), which would host and administer the Career Exploration Program and the Public Service Coordinator I.
  • Other potential beneficiaries include educational institutions and local employers connected to the Career Exploration Program.

Implementation and Timeline

  • Introduced: March 7, 2025.
  • Legislative actions in 2025 show the bill moving through standard committee and floor processes, including a committee amendment (H-84) and passage to be enacted in May 2025.
  • Status: CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800 (as of June 25, 2025). This means the bill has not yet been enacted and may be revisited in a future session.

Additional Notes

  • Sponsor: Rep. Eder of Waterboro.
  • Committee: Housing and Economic Development.
  • The proposals focus on funding and staffing to sustain the Career Exploration Program, signaling an emphasis on structured workforce preparedness and school-to-career pathways in Maine.

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

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