Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §15603, sub-§26-A, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. F, §15, is amended to read:

B. "Actual local program costs" includes the following:

(1) Bus purchase costs as defined in subsection 7;

(2) Early childhood educational program costs as defined in subsection 10;

(3) Special education costs as defined in subsection 22;

(4) Transportation operating costs as defined in subsection 29; and

(5) Vocational education costs as defined in subsection 30.; and

(6) Transitional instruction program using bilingual techniques costs as defined in subsection 28-A.

Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §15603, sub-§28-A is enacted to read:

28-A.__Transitional instruction program using bilingual techniques.__"Transitional instruction program using bilingual techniques" means the costs of approved plans implemented under chapter 207-A, subchapter I, section 4701, subsection 2.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes that approved courses that teach English as a 2nd language are to be included as a subsidizable program cost under the School Finance Act of 1985. Under this bill, schools with approved courses that teach English as a 2nd language must be reimbursed by the State for the costs of these courses.