AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) A Maine lawmaker has proposed the creation of a new program designed to help more recent graduates remain in the state.

Maine has one of the oldest populations in the country, and state leaders have identified a need to retain younger residents. Democratic Rep. Morgan Rielly of Westbrook has proposed legislation to create a program called the “Maine Service Fellows Program” that would address that.

Rielly said the program would allow its fellows to work in rural communities. Rielly said the communities “have proposed recovery project plans to address local needs, including, but not limited to, projects focused on the economic fallout and ongoing issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The fellows would be payed a living wage and provided with partial student loan reimbursement once they complete their service, Rielly said.

The proposal would need the approval of the Maine Legislature.