131st MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 2180 LR 3032(01)
Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 101:  Maine Unified Special Education Regulation Birth to Age Twenty-Two, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Education
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
Sponsor: Rep. Brennan of Portland
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
Current biennium cost increase - General Purpose Aid for Local Schools
Current biennium cost increase - Local school administrative units
Fiscal Detail and Notes
Prior to an emergency rule to Chapter 101: Maine Unified Special Education Regulation Birth to Age Twenty-two, implemented by the Department of Education on July 7, 2023, school administrative units (SAUs) were required to pay special purpose private schools (SPPS) a daily rate for program participation on days when students actually attended their programming.  The emergency rule changed this provision to require SAUs to pay the daily rate to SPPS regardless of whether the student is actually in attendance on a given school day.  The department estimates the additional costs to SAUs to be approximately $90 - $135 per student per program day.  The total cost to SAU's can not be determined at this time.  According to the Department of Education, SAUs that report additional funds spent in the current school year, specifically on High Cost Out-of-District placements in SPPS, above what was allocated to the SAU in the essential programs and services funding model receive a subsidy adjustment in the spring of the same school year to cover the additional costs.