ME LD1955

Establishes the Maine Child Care Affordability Program Child Care Award to provide funding for child care services for eligible child care providers and early childhood educators who need care for their own children

Creates the Salary Sustainability Program for Child Care Professionals with a tiered wage supplement system based on education and experience, where each tier must be at least 50% greater than the previous tier

Establishes a scholarship and apprenticeship program for child care providers pursuing degrees or certifications in early childhood education, requiring recipients to commit to working in Maine for a specified period

Requires the State Board of Education to update its career and technical education plan to include early childhood education programs at CTE centers statewide by January 2, 2026

Appropriates $5.3 million in FY2025-26 ($3.8 million one-time for Child Care Affordability Program, $500,000 for wage supplements, $1 million for child care awards) and $1.5 million in FY2026-27 for ongoing costs