ME LD1627

Beginning January 1, 2027, all Maine high school students must complete an internship, apprenticeship, or cooperative education experience before graduating

Department of Education must develop career exploration modules for middle and high school students, require schools to track post-graduation outcomes, and remove incentives that steer students disproportionately toward 4-year colleges

Creates four new employer tax credits: student loan assistance (50% of contributions, capped at $2,500/employee), child care support (30% of costs, capped at $10,000/facility or $2,000/employee), cultural/recreational investment (25% of contributions, capped at $25,000), and "stay and grow" credits for workers in high-demand fields who remain in Maine 5+ years

Establishes competitive grants for employer-school partnerships and pilot programs like mobile training units, with required employer matching funds; redirects infrastructure funds to upgrade career and technical education facilities

Department of Education must submit progress report with suggested legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by December 3, 2025