Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA c. 318 is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 318

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

§8901.__After-school programs; standards; approval

The after-school program is established to encourage the facilitation of high-quality after-school programs in school administrative units throughout the State.__The commissioner shall administer the program within the department.__Standards and approval for after-school programs are as follows.

1.__Standards.__The state board and the commissioner shall jointly adopt rules to establish standards consistent with basic school approval requirements for after-school programs offered at elementary or secondary schools in the State.

2.__Approval.__An after-school program may be offered by any school administrative unit with the approval of the commissioner.__ The commissioner may inspect any after-school program, after which the commissioner may approve and grant a certificate to a school that maintains approval standards.__The expense of inspection must be paid by the department.

§8902.__Authority to raise, appropriate, receive and expend money

A school administrative unit may:

1.__Fund after-school programs.__Raise, appropriate, receive and expend money for after-school programs.__After-school programs are provided under the direction and supervision of the school board; and

2.__Fund tuition costs.__Raise, appropriate, receive and expend money to pay tuition charged to any resident of a municipality served by the school administrative unit who attends an after-school program offered by another school administrative unit if the after-school program is not offered by the school administrative unit that serves the person's residence.

§8903.__Authority to operate programs not receiving state subsidy

A school administrative unit may make available facilities for children enrolled in after-school programs not reimbursable by the State.__These after-school programs may be financed by tuition fees, by funds made available by the school administrative unit, by funds from other sources or by a combination of these.

§8904.__Eligibility