An Act To Provide Additional Funds to Schools That Offer Residential Options
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0866
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: POULIOT, MILLETT, DAUGHTRY, FARNSWORTH, PIERCE, SAMPSON, STEWART
Amends: 20-A MRSA §8202, 20-A MRSA §8232, 20-A MRSA §15689

Legislative Document
No. 866
H.P. 615
House of Representatives, March 7, 2017
An Act To Provide Additional Funds to Schools That Offer 
Residential Options
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative POULIOT of Augusta.
Cosponsored by Senator MILLETT of Cumberland and
Representatives: DAUGHTRY of Brunswick, FARNSWORTH of Portland, PIERCE of 
Falmouth, SAMPSON of Alfred, STEWART of Presque Isle.
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 cost any 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 cost any 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.