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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST REGULAR SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 1118
H.P. 737 House of Representatives, March 18, 2025
An Act to Establish a Permanent Free Community College Program
for Maine
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative SARGENT of York.
Cosponsored by President DAUGHTRY of Cumberland and
Representatives: DODGE of Belfast, Speaker FECTEAU of Biddeford, GATTINE of
Westbrook, MITCHELL of Cumberland, MURPHY of Scarborough, Senators: CARNEY of
Cumberland, LAWRENCE of York, RAFFERTY of York.
Page 1 - 132LR1348(01)
1Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
2Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §12724 is enacted to read:
3§12724. Maine Free Community College Program
4 The Maine Free Community College Program, referred to in this section as "the
5 program," is established in accordance with this section.
61. Eligibility. The system shall issue a waiver for the payment of tuition and mandatory
7 fees for students eligible for the program pursuant to this subsection. To be eligible for the
8 program, a student must:
9 A. Enroll in an associate degree, diploma or certificate program at a college under
10 section 12714;
11 B. Live in the State for the duration of the enrollment in a college; and
12 C. Accept all available federal and state grants, scholarships and other sources of
13 funding offered to the student;
14 A waiver is valid for up to twice the stated completion time for an eligible student's program
15 of study.
162. Report. Beginning January 1, 2027 and annually thereafter, the system shall submit
17 a report to the Governor and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having
18 jurisdiction over education matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature
19 having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs on the status of the program.
20SUMMARY
21 This bill establishes the Maine Free Community College Program, which directs the
22 Maine Community College System to issue a waiver for the payment of tuition and
23 mandatory fees for students who are eligible for the program. The bill also establishes
24 eligibility criteria and directs the Maine Community College System to submit an annual
25 report to the Governor and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having
26 jurisdiction over education matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature
27 having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs.
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