§ 215.3 Administration. ( a ) Within the Department, FNS shall act on behalf of the Department in the administration of the Program. Within FNS, CND shall be responsible for Program administration.
( b ) Within the States, to the extent practicable and permissible under State law, responsibility for the administration of the Program in schools and child care institutions shall be in the educational agency of the State: *Provided, however,* That another State agency, upon request by the Governor or other appropriate State executive or legislative authority, may be approved to administer the Program in schools as described in paragraph (3) of the definition of *School* in § 215.2 or in child care institutions.
( c ) FNSRO shall administer the Program in any *School* or any *Child care institution* as defined in § 215.2 wherein the State agency is not permitted by law to disburse Federal funds paid to it under the Program; *Provided, however,* That FNSRO shall also administer the Program in all other schools and child-care institutions which have been under continuous FNS administration since October 1, 1980 unless the administration of such schools and institutions is assumed by a State agency. References in this part to “FNSRO where applicable” are to FNSRO as the agency administering the Program to schools or child-care institutions within certain States.
( d ) Each State agency desiring to take part in the Program shall enter into a written agreement with the Department for the administration of the Program in the State in accordance with the provisions of this part, 7 CFR parts 235, 245, 15, 15a, 15b and, as applicable, 2 CFR part 200, subpart D and USDA implementing regulations 2 CFR part 400, subparts B and D and USDA implementing regulations 2 CFR part 400 and part 415, and FNS Instructions. Such agreement shall cover the operation of the Program during the period specified therein and may be extended at the option of the Department.
( e ) *Authority to waive statute and regulations.* ( 1 ) As authorized under section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, FNS may waive provisions of such Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended, and the provisions of this part with respect to a State agency or eligible service provider. The provisions of this part required by other statutes may not be waived under this authority. FNS may only approve requests for a waiver that are submitted by a State agency and comply with the requirements at section 12(l)(1) and the limitations at section 12(l)(4), including that FNS may not grant a waiver that increases Federal costs.
( 2 ) ( i ) A State agency may submit a request for a waiver under paragraph (e)(1) of this section in accordance with section 12(l)(2) and the provisions of this part.
( ii ) A State agency may submit a request to waive specific statutory or regulatory requirements on behalf of eligible service providers that operate in the State. Any waiver where the State concurs must be submitted to the appropriate FNSRO.
( 3 ) ( i ) An eligible service provider may submit a request for a waiver under paragraph (e)(1) of this section in accordance with section 12(l) and the provisions of this part. Any waiver request submitted by an eligible service provider must be submitted to the State agency for review. A State agency must act promptly on such a waiver request and must deny or concur with a request submitted by an eligible service provider.
( ii ) If a State agency concurs with a request from an eligible service provider, the State agency must promptly forward to the appropriate FNSRO the request and a rationale, consistent with section 12(l)(2), supporting the request. By forwarding the request to the FNSRO, the State agency affirms: ( A ) The request meets all requirements for waiver submissions; and,
( B ) The State agency will conduct all monitoring requirements related to regular Program operations and the implementation of the waiver.
( iii ) If the State agency denies the request, the State agency must notify the requesting eligible service provider and state the reason for denying the request in writing within 30 calendar days of the State agency's receipt of the request. The State agency response is final and may not be appealed to FNS.
(Secs. 804, 816 and 817, Pub. L. 97-35; 95 Stat. 521-535 (42 U.S.C. 1753, 1756, 1759, 1771 and 1785))
[Amdt. 14, 41 FR 31174, July 27, 1976, as amended by Amdt. 24, 47 FR 14133 Apr. 2, 1982; Amdt. 36, 54 FR 2989, Jan. 23, 1989; 71 FR 39516, July 13, 2006; 72 FR 63791, Nov. 13, 2007; 81 FR 66490, Sept. 28, 2016; 87 FR 57354, Sept. 19, 2022]