An Act To Modernize the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0701
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: BELLOWS, KORNFIELD, BREEN, MILLETT, MOORE, ROSEN, DODGE, HICKMAN, MORALES, PERRY
Amends: 20-A MRSA §6601-A

Legislative Document
No. 701
S.P. 214
In Senate, February 11, 2019
An Act To Modernize the National School Lunch Program and the 
School Breakfast Program
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator BELLOWS of Kennebec.
Cosponsored by Representative KORNFIELD of Bangor and
Senators: BREEN of Cumberland, MILLETT of Cumberland, MOORE of Washington, 
ROSEN of Hancock, Representatives: DODGE of Belfast, HICKMAN of Winthrop, 
MORALES of South Portland, PERRY of Calais.
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, this legislation requires the Department of Education to develop an 
Internet-based application for free or reduced-price school meals and to make that 
application available for use by August 1, 2019; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §6601-A, as enacted by PL 2017, c. 238, §1, is amended to 
read:
§6601-A.  Free or reduced-price school meals; Internet-based school meal 
applications
The department shall develop and make information available to public schools 
regarding an Internet-based applications for eligible students application for free or 
reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program under 7 Code of Federal 
Regulations, Part 210 and the School Breakfast Program under 7 Code of Federal 
Regulations, Part 220.  A public school may make an the Internet-based application 
developed by the department available for school meal applications.  If a public school 
implements an the Internet-based application process under this section, the public school 
shall make available a continue to distribute paper application applications for school 
meals to any student, parent or legal guardian who requests one all students.
Sec. 2.  Internet-based application development.  The Department of 
Education shall make the Internet-based application for free or reduced-price school 
meals under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 6601-A available by August 
1, 2019.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
Current law requires the Department of Education to make information available to 
public schools regarding Internet-based applications for free or reduced-price meals under 
the National School Lunch Program.  This bill requires the department to develop and 
make available to public schools a specific Internet-based application for the National 
School Lunch Program as well as for the School Breakfast Program.  A public school that 
implements the Internet-based application process is required to continue to distribute 
paper applications for school meals to all students.