Maine has a new law to make child care more affordable after a bill signing on Monday by Governor Janet Mills.

Mills appeared at St. Louis Child Development Center in Biddeford, where she signed the measure, which ensures a family earning up to 85 percent of the median income will not pay more than 7 percent of its income as a copayment for child care.

Maine’s Child Care Affordability Program previously set the limit at 10 percent.

Copayments may be further reduced or waived for families earning up to 30% of the median family income, or for children who are in foster care or kinship care, families experiencing homelessness, and families with a child with a disability.

In addition, child care providers will be reimbursed based on enrollment rather than attendance. The provision is meant to protect providers from inconsistent funding when enrolled children are absent.

The bill is scheduled to become law after the legislative session ends on April 15th.