ME LD1956

Establishes the Community Workforce Connections Program by January 1, 2026 to provide peer workforce navigation services through community-based organizations for unemployed and underemployed workers facing barriers to employment, including immigrants, formerly incarcerated individuals, persons with disabilities, and low-income individuals.

Expands Competitive Skills Scholarship Program eligibility to include cohort-based education/training programs and individuals receiving assistance from SNAP, MaineCare, TANF, refugee assistance programs, SSI, or fuel assistance, with income threshold set at less than 275% of federal poverty level.

Requires the Department of Labor to issue written decisions on scholarship applications within 30 days and provide retroactive services (tuition, books, fees, stipends, child care, transportation) to the date of application for eligible individuals.

Creates a formal appeals process for scholarship program decisions, including initial reconsideration by a program manager within 15 days and subsequent appeal to an impartial hearing officer within 30 days.

Allocates at least 12% of the annual Competitive Skills Scholarship Fund planned yield to fund the Community Workforce Connections Program, with a financial report due to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor by November 1, 2026.