Bill would seed two $300,000 pilots for rural child‑care tuition aid and provider expansion grants

Representative Holly Eaton presented LD 12 80 proposing two pilot programs, each with a one‑time $300,000 appropriation, to address child‑care shortages in rural Maine.

The first pilot (administered by the Department of Education) would provide tuition assistance—up to $30,000 per student—to rural residents pursuing an early childhood education degree or related credential. Eaton said the program is aimed at adult learners who are not eligible for Maine's free community college initiative and who need flexible options (including online or out‑of‑state programs) to continue working while studying.

The second pilot (administered by the Department of Health and Human Services) would give grants—up to $30,000 each—to licensed rural child‑care providers who want to open new programs or expand capacity. Eaton and witnesses described how modest capital or renovation grants often unlock new slots or stabilize small centers.

Eaton argued the two pilots are complementary: tuition support helps build a local workforce while grants help create the physical capacity for more child‑care slots. Committee members asked how to ensure trainees remain in Maine and which counties would be eligible; Eaton said the pilots target counties with populations under 100,000 and that further work session details could clarify retention provisions and county lists. No organized opposition appeared during the public hearing.

Committee members asked staff to provide historical context about similar pandemic‑era grant programs and their uptake; the public hearing ended with requests for fiscal and eligibility clarifications for the work session.