Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA c. 428-A is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 428-A

TEACHERS FOR CRITICAL AND QUALIFYING

AREAS PROGRAM

§12521.__Teachers for Critical and Qualifying Areas Program

established

There is established the Teachers for Critical and Qualifying Areas Program, referred to in this chapter as the "program," to provide financial incentives through the repayment of education loans to teachers in critical or qualifying schools to address the shortage of teachers in underserved subject areas in those schools as determined pursuant to this chapter.__The commissioner shall administer the program.

§12522.__Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

1.__Critical area school.__"Critical area school" means a school that demonstrates to the commissioner that the school has:

A.__A critical shortage of qualified teachers in an underserved subject area; and

B.__Made a significant effort to fill that critical shortage.

2.__Education loan.__"Education loan" means a loan given by a financial institution authorized to do business in the State to a postsecondary student for the payment of an undergraduate, postbaccalaureate or continuing education course of study.

3.__Eligible person.__"Eligible person" means a teacher who meets the requirements of section 12525.

4.__Original amount of education loans.__"Original amount of education loans" means the total amount of education loans outstanding at the time the eligible person is hired by the critical area school or qualifying area school and any interest that accrures over the life of the education loans.

5.__Qualifying area school.__"Qualifying area school" means a school that demonstrates to the commissioner that the school has: