Public Law, Chapter 683, Part B, 123rd Legislature, Second Regular Session

Chapter 683 H.P. 1671 - L.D. 2311

PART B

Sec. B-1. 10 MRSA §1026-M, sub-§6, ¶C, as amended by PL 1999, c. 401, Pt. OOO, §2, is further amended to read:

C. The authority and each corporation shall establish interest rates, amortization schedules and repayment terms for each borrower, except that loans may not be for a term longer than 20 years and:

(1) Loans to a quality child care project may not must bear a rate of interest that, when added to the commitment fee and administrative and technical assistance cost, is less than 6% or exceeds the prime rate of interest equal to 3%, not including any administrative costs or fees; or

(2) Loans to any other eligible borrower may not bear a rate of interest greater than the prime rate of interest plus 7%.

Sec. B-2. 22 MRSA §262 is enacted to read:

§ 262. Home visiting

1. Voluntary universal home visiting program. The department, as permitted by the availability of funds, shall offer a voluntary universal home visiting program for new families with children from the prenatal stage of development through 5 years of age, regardless of family income level. The home visiting program must incorporate the following principles:

A. Healthy and strong parent-child attachment;

B. Physical and behavioral health of the family;

C. Reduced incidence of child abuse and neglect;

D. Positive and creative learning environments for the child;

E. Effective and positive parenting;

F. Parental competencies and self-confidence;

G. Reducing family isolation through community linkages;

H. School readiness; and

I. Family self-sufficiency.

Sec. B-3. Quality child care education and scholarship program. The Finance Authority of Maine shall amend rules governing the quality child care education and scholarship program as established by the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 11670 to increase the annual maximum disbursement from $2,000 to $3,000. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Sec. B-4. Review of unification of policies governing child care subsidies. The Department of Health and Human Services shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters by January 15, 2009 regarding the benefits, cost-effectiveness and effect on families of unifying the policies governing child care subsidies granted by Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and the Office of Child Care and Head Start. The report may include recommendations, and legislation if appropriate, that will encourage the use of high-quality child care providers by families receiving these subsidies.

Sec. B-5. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY DHS)

Maine Children's Growth Council N044

Initiative: Provides a base allocation in the event that funds are received to fund the work of the Maine Children's Growth Council.

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2007-08	2008-09
All Other	$0	$500

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$0	$500

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY DHS)
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2007-08	2008-09

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	$0	$500

DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$0	$500

LEGISLATURE

Legislature 0081

Initiative: Allocates funds for the per diem and expenses of legislative members of the Maine Children's Growth Council.

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	2007-08	2008-09
Personal Services	$0	$1,320
All Other	$0	$1,200

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL	$0	$2,520

LEGISLATURE
DEPARTMENT TOTALS	2007-08	2008-09

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	$0	$2,520

DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$0	$2,520

SECTION TOTALS	2007-08	2008-09

OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS	$0	$3,020

SECTION TOTAL - ALL FUNDS	$0	$3,020

Public Laws

123rd Legislature

Second Regular Session

Chapter 683

H.P. 1671 - L.D. 2311