CHAPTER 639

H.P. 689 - L.D. 979

An Act To Fund Youth Mentoring Programs

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA c. 331 is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 331

MAINE MENTORING PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM

§9901.__Maine Mentoring Partnership Grant Program

1.__Establishment of program grants.__The department, through the Maine Mentoring Partnership or its successor organization, shall establish and administer the Maine Mentoring Partnership Grant Program, referred to in this chapter as "the program," to provide funding for grants to eligible mentoring programs.

2.__Eligible mentoring programs.__The department shall develop eligibility criteria for mentoring programs seeking grants under this chapter.__At a minimum, the mentoring program must provide guidance, support and encouragement to young persons through the establishment of structured mentoring relationships to help the young persons develop into confident, competent and contributing members of society.__The relationships may be through one-on-one, group, team or peer mentoring.__Eligible entities include school- based or independent programs, including a regional collaborative program created to provide mentoring services.