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An Act To Provide Additional Funds to Schools That Offer Residential Options
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §8202, sub-§2, ¶B, as amended by PL 2009, c. 486, §1, is further amended to read:
 
B. The State shall pay to the school at least $500 for each student to cover a portion of the cost of room and board for each student for the school year. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, effective July 1, 1996, the student or the student's parent or guardian shall pay to the school the costany additional costs of room and board for the school year. In the case of financial need, the State shall pay to the school the difference between the remaining cost of room and board and the student's or the student's family's ability to pay that cost. The board of trustees shall adopt rules governing the determination of financial need and the cost and schedule of payment of room and board under this paragraph. The determination of financial need must be based on a nationally recognized public or private school financial needs assessment system. A student may use scholarship funds in place of payment for all or part of the cost of room and board and any other fees or expenses incurred as a result of that student's enrollment at the school.
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §8232, sub-§2, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2015, c. 363, §4, is amended to read:
 
B. The State shall pay to the school at least $500 for each student to cover a portion of the cost of room and board for each student for the school year. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, effective July 1, 2018, the student or the student's parent or guardian shall pay to the school the costany additional costs of room and board for the school year. In the case of financial need, the State shall pay to the school the difference between the remaining cost of room and board and the student's or the student's family's ability to pay that cost. The board of trustees shall establish rules governing the determination of financial need and the cost and schedule of payment of room and board under this paragraph. The determination of financial need must be based on a nationally recognized public or private school financial needs assessment system. A student may use scholarship funds in place of payment for all or part of the cost of room and board and any other fees or expenses incurred as a result of that student's enrollment at the school.
Sec. 3.  20-A MRSA §15689, sub-§14  is enacted to read:
 
14.  Adjustment per pupil for residential schools.     A school administrative unit, including a public charter school, that provides residential services to students must receive at least $500 for each residential student to support the cost of room and board for that student. This adjustment must be in addition to all other state funds provided to the school administrative unit under this chapter.
 
SUMMARY
This bill requires that the State provide a minimum state subsidy of $500 per residential student to all school administrative units, including public charter schools, as well as to magnet schools, that provide residential services.