Date posted:
Attachment(s):
This rule outlines how the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (the Department) pays a differential rate for child care services that meets or that makes substantial progress toward meeting nationally recognized quality standards, as required by 22 M.R.S.A § 3737.
This rulemaking is necessary to make permanent changes that became effective on 9/24/25 due to Public Law 2025 c. 247, which requires that child care providers accredited in Maine by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the American Montessori Society, the National Association for Family Child Care or the Council on Accreditation, or any of their successor organizations, or a Head Start program that meets national Head Start standards, receive the highest rating under the child care quality rating system.
The Department also proposes making additional minor changes to update the names of programs, remove criteria that is already required by 10-148 C.M.R. ch. 32, and, using the Department’s professional judgement, clarify language throughout the rule for more fluent implementation.
Proposed
Office: Child and Family Services
Routine technical
Email: rulemaking.ocfs@maine.gov
Public hearing: -
Meeting location:
A public hearing will be held on Monday November 3rd, 2025 at 1pm EST (U.S. and Canada) via Zoom.
Meeting link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/j/85990207917
Comment deadline:
On