MaineMaine schools would link meal support to federal funding choices
The proposed replacement would tie state meal support for qualifying schools to maximizing federal funding and following meal options shared by the Department of Education.
What it does
Schools with at least 60% publicly funded students must maximize federal meal funding to receive state support. If eligible, they must maximize participation in provisional meal programs.
The Department of Education must tell public and eligible private schools each year about meal program options that could help them maximize federal funding.
Schools may lose state meal support if they do not join the National School Lunch Program and, when eligible, a provisional program, or choose an option the department did not share.
The amendment lists state funding for meal reimbursement gaps: $1,800,387 for 2025–26 and $4,101,781 for 2026–27.
Argument forSchools that maximize federal meal funding could receive state support to help cover the cost of meals for publicly funded students.
Argument againstSchools could lose state meal support if they do not join required meal programs or choose a provisional option the department did not share.
More detail
A school receiving state meal support must maximize federal reimbursements and, if eligible, take part in a provisional meal program. This applies to public schools and private schools approved for tuition purposes that enroll at least 60% publicly funded students, based on the previous year's October and April average enrollment, and receive state meal support. The department decides whether a school is maximizing federal reimbursement. A school must maximize participation in a provisional program only if it is eligible for one.
The Department of Education must tell schools each year about meal program options that can help maximize federal funding. This applies to public schools and private schools approved for tuition purposes. The department may offer technical help and may hire a third party to provide it. The department must communicate the options annually.
A school may not receive state meal support if it does not participate in the National School Lunch Program and, when eligible, a provisional meal program, or chooses a provisional option the department did not share. This applies to public schools and private schools approved for tuition purposes that would otherwise qualify for state meal support. The restriction applies if a school does not participate in the National School Lunch Program and, if eligible, a provisional meal program, or chooses a provisional option the department did not share.
The amendment lists General Fund amounts for covering differences between federal free-meal reimbursements and full-price meal reimbursements. The listed amounts are $1,800,387 for 2025–26 and $4,101,781 for 2026–27. The funding is for public school students and publicly funded students at eligible private schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program. The listed amounts apply to the 2025–26 and 2026–27 fiscal years.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Became Law
- Died
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 29Died in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD)Died
- 2025
- Jun 25CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
- Jun 16On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence
- Jun 16Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Jun 16PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Became Law
- Jun 13In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Jun 13The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-380).Minor
- Jun 13Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.
- Jun 13Committee Amendment "A" (S-380) was READ and ADOPTED.Minor
- Jun 13The Bill was READ ONCE.Minor
- Jun 13On motion of Representative MURPHY of Scarborough, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.
- Jun 13Reports READ.
- Jun 13Sent down for concurrence
- Jun 13Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-380)Minor
- Jun 13Committee Amendment "A" (S-380) READ and ADOPTEDMinor
- Jun 13READ ONCEMinor
- Jun 13Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 524 Yeas 35 - Nays 0 - Excused 0 - Absent 0
- Jun 13On motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-380) Report ACCEPTED PREVAILED
- Jun 12Reported Out - OTP-AM/ONTP
- Vote recorded ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT. Result: pass.Upper
- May 15Voted - Divided Report
- May 15Work Session Held
- Mar 21CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.
- Feb 19Received by the Secretary of the Senate on February 19, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2Introduced
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