Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA c. 428, as amended, is further amended by repealing the chapter headnote and enacting the following in its place:

CHAPTER 428

EDUCATORS FOR MAINE PROGRAM

Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §12501, sub-§2-A is enacted to read:

2-A.__Educator shortage area.__"Educator shortage area" means a geographic region of the State for which there is an insufficient supply of teachers or speech pathologists, as determined by the chief executive officer in consultation with the commissioner.

Sec. 3. 20-A MRSA §12501, sub-§6-A, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 553, §2, is amended to read:

6-A. Students pursuing postbaccalaureate certification. "Students pursuing postbaccalaureate teacher certification" means students who have earned a Bachelor of Arts degree or its equivalent and are pursuing a program of studies leading to certification as a teacher or speech pathologist.

Sec. 4. 20-A MRSA §12501, sub-§6-B, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 117, Pt. E, §3 and affected by §13, is repealed.

Sec. 5. 20-A MRSA §12501, sub-§7, as amended by PL 1995, c. 117, Pt. E, §4 and affected by §13, is further amended to read:

7. Underserved subject areas. "Underserved subject areas" means those subjects or programs, required or authorized to be taught in the public schools for which there is an insufficient supply of teachers or speech pathologists, as determined by the chief executive officer in consultation with the Commissioner of Education commissioner.

Sec. 6. 20-A MRSA §12502, as amended by PL 1995, c. 117, Pt. E, §5 and affected by §13, is further amended to read:

§12502. Educators for Maine Program

There is established the Teachers Educators for Maine Program to provide financial assistance to college students, graduating high school seniors and students pursuing postbaccalaureate teacher certification who demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career in teaching or speech pathology in this State for postsecondary education and to teachers and speech