129th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1043		LR 475(02)
	An Act To Establish Universal Public Preschool Programs
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Undetermined future biennium cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This legislation extends the timeframe from the 2018-2019 school year to the 2023-2024 school year to achieve the goal of providing adequate state start-up funding to ensure that public preschool programs for children 4 years of age are offered by all school administrative units (SAU's).  The total amount of funding needed to meet this goal by the 2023-2024 school year can not be determined at this time.  LD 1001, the proposed budget for the 2020-2021 biennium includes a $7,000,000 General Fund appropriation in fiscal year 2020-21 towards achieving the goal of making public preschool programs available to all Maine students.
	Additional costs to the Department of Education to submit recommendations to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs for the implementation of universal public preschool for children 4 years of age, including funding options that will encourage SAU's to implement new public preschool programs or expand existing programs, can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.