An Act To Provide Free School Lunches To Special Purpose Private Schools That Receive Students From The Public School System

LD 776 would require special purpose private schools in Maine that receive publicly funded students (i.e., students whose education is paid for by public school systems) and enroll at least 60% publicly funded students (based on the previous year's average enrollment) to provide free school lunches to all students. These schools must also participate in the federal National School Lunch Program. The state would cover the cost difference between federal reimbursement for free meals and the actual meal cost for every student, ensuring no student pays for lunch at qualifying schools. This applies only to private schools meeting the enrollment and program participation criteria.