The Maine Merit-Based Education & Workforce Reform Act (ME-MEWRA)

Maine state companion to MEWRA. Uses public charter schools (20-A MRSA Chapter 112) and dual-enrollment/Aspirations programs. Maine does not operate an ESA.

THE MAINE MERIT-BASED EDUCATION & WORKFORCE REFORM ACT (ME-MEWRA)

Vehicle: State passage. Maine Legislature, regular session. Primary referral to Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the “Maine Merit-Based Education & Workforce Reform Act (ME-MEWRA).”

SECTION 2. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT

The Legislature finds that Maine authorizes public charter schools under 20-A MRSA Chapter 112; that dual-enrollment is authorized through programs including Aspirations and early-college partnerships with Maine Community College System and University of Maine System; that the Department of Education publishes school performance data; that the State Workforce Board operates under 26 MRSA Chapter 25; and that Maine does not operate an ESA. This Act extends these frameworks consistent with Maine’s public-school framework.

TITLE I — DEFINITIONS & COORDINATION WITH MAINE LAW

Sec. 101. Definitions

1. (a) “Maine outcome-based school” means a public charter school authorized under Title II by the Maine Outcome-Based School Authorizer (“ME-OBSA”) under 20-A MRSA Chapter 112.
2. (b) “Workforce Board” means the State Workforce Board.
3. (c) “Dual-enrollment pathway” has the meaning given in 20-A MRSA.

Sec. 102. Coordination with Existing Maine Law

1. (a) Consistent with:

• 20-A MRSA Chapter 112 (public charter schools).
• 20-A MRSA (dual enrollment).
• 26 MRSA Chapter 25 (Workforce Board).

TITLE II — MAINE OUTCOME-BASED SCHOOL AUTHORIZER

Sec. 201. Establishment of ME-OBSA

1. (a) The Maine Charter School Commission, under 20-A MRSA Chapter 112, shall serve as the Maine Outcome-Based School Authorizer (“ME-OBSA”) for purposes of this Act.
2. (b) ME-OBSA shall authorize provisional public charter schools without requiring regional-accreditor accreditation.

Sec. 202. Outcome-Based Authorization Standard

1. (a) Authorization requires publication of outcome metrics under Sec. 401.
2. (b) Facilities, safety, and background-check standards applicable under 20-A MRSA.
3. (c) Four-year term, renewable on thresholds.

TITLE III — EDUCATION-FUND PORTABILITY (Charter & Dual-Enrollment Rewire)

Sec. 301. Charter and Dual-Enrollment Funding

1. (a) A Title II-authorized school operating as a public charter under 20-A MRSA Chapter 112 is entitled to the Essential Programs and Services per-pupil amount on the same terms as other public charters.
2. (b) ME-OBSA schools may participate in dual-enrollment pathways.

Sec. 302. Workforce Disbursements

1. (a) The State Workforce Board shall ensure that within 24 months, at least 50 percent of WIOA-aligned workforce-program disbursements flow to providers publishing outcome data in the ME-OBSA Registry or Federal NLMF.

TITLE IV — PUBLISHED OUTCOME METRICS

Sec. 401. Maine Outcome-Metrics Registry

1. (a) ME-OBSA shall publish completion rate; one- and three-year earnings medians; licensure/MERMC/FRAC attainment.
2. (b) Data sources: Department of Education and Maine Department of Labor wage records.

Sec. 402. Coordination with the Federal NLMF

1. (a) Crosswalked to the Federal NLMF.
2. (b) Nothing authorizes disclosure of PII except as permitted under the Freedom of Access Act (1 MRSA Chapter 13) and FERPA.

TITLE V — ENFORCEMENT & REMEDIES

Sec. 501. Non-Compliant Provider Remedies

1. (a) Suspension of ME-OBSA authorization; Registry suspension; administrative penalty up to $500,000 per willful violation.
2. (b) No private right of action.

TITLE VI — IMPLEMENTATION & GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 601. Severability

If any provision is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect the remainder.

Sec. 602. Effective Date

This Act shall take effect 90 days after adjournment sine die.

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Canonical federal version: MEWRA. Other Maine bills: ME-ACSA, ME-GT&P, ME-AI-Workforce.