129th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 577		LR 1570(02)
	An Act To Increase Access to Nutritious Foods in Schools by Implementing an After-school Food Program for At-risk Students
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Potential current biennium cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill requires school administrative units (SAU's) that have at least one public school in which at least 50% of students qualified for a free or reduced-price lunch during the preceding school year to participate in the federal child and adult care food program to serve at-risk students who attend after-school programming.  The SAU may choose not to participate if it determines by a vote of the governing body of the SAU that operating the program would be financially or logistically impracticable.
	This legislation requires the Department of Education to assist SAU's in developing a plan to participate in the program and to obtain federal, state and private funding to pay for the program.  The department indicates it has sufficient staff and resources within its current budget to accommodate a 25% increase in the number of SAU's participating in the federal child and adult care food program.  The department may require additional staff if the increase in the number of new participants in the program exceeds 25%.