MaineMaine allows an optional state online school meal application
Maine education officials may provide an online school meal application, with related state funding reduced by $250,000 for fiscal year 2026–27.
What it does
Maine education officials may provide an online school meal application. Public schools must also give students paper forms and accept submissions through an online application covered by the law.
Public schools where at least 50% of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch the previous year must serve breakfast after school starts and before lunch, unless a separate exception applies.
The law provides a $250,000 cut in state education funding for fiscal year 2026–27, tied to making the state online school meal application optional.
Argument forThe $250,000 funding reduction could lower state spending on online meal applications while schools continue to give families paper forms.
Argument againstAn optional state online application and lower funding could leave families with fewer consistent ways to apply for school meals.
More detail
The Maine Department of Education may arrange for an online school meal application and make it available on a public website. The application covers free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program at public schools. Any application developed under this section must use a clear, consistent format and, as far as practical, a language parents or guardians understand. Schools must give all students paper forms and accept data submitted through an online application covered by this section. Schools process their own online applications. Data must go directly to the school or agency deciding eligibility and must not be visible to the Department of Education.
School districts covered by the breakfast rule must serve breakfast after the school day starts and before any lunch period begins. The rule covers public schools where at least 50% of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch during the preceding school year. Separate exceptions under section 6602(1)(G) apply.
The law provides a $250,000 reduction in state General Fund support for School Finance and Operations. The funding adjustment applies to the Maine Department of Education's School Finance and Operations budget. The reduction applies to fiscal year 2026–27. The table shows no funding adjustment for fiscal year 2025–26.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 15Signed by Governor Janet MillsLatest
- Apr 13Subsequently, PASSED TO BE ENACTED in concurrence.Passed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 13On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table.
- Mar 18On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence.
- Mar 17Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Mar 17PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Became Law
- Mar 12Ordered sent down forthwith.
- Mar 12READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-829), in concurrence.Minor
- Mar 12COMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.
- Mar 10ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.
- Mar 10Committee Amendment "A" (H-829) READ and ADOPTED.Minor
- Mar 10Bill READ ONCE.Minor
- Mar 10On motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED.
- Mar 10Reports READ.
- Mar 5Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Vote recorded ACC OTP-AM BY CA "A". Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 5The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-829).Minor
- Mar 5Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.
- Mar 5Committee Amendment "A" (H-829) was READ and ADOPTED.Minor
- Mar 5The Bill was READ ONCE.Minor
- Mar 5(Yeas 74 - Nays 68 - Absent 7 - Excused 1 - Vacant 1)
- Mar 5ROLL CALL NO. 636
- Mar 5On motion of Representative MURPHY of Scarborough, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.
- Mar 5Reports READ.
- Mar 4Reported Out - OTP-AM/ONTP
- Jan 28Voted - Divided Report
- Jan 28Work Session Held
- 2025
- Dec 3The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.Minor
- Dec 3Received by the Clerk of the House on December 3, 2025.Introduced
EducationTaxes & Budget