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131st MAINE LEGISLATURE |
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LD 829 |
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LR 1143(02) |
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An Act to Improve
Behavioral Health Support for Students in Public Schools |
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Fiscal Note for
Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " " |
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Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs |
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Fiscal Note Required: Yes |
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| Fiscal Note |
| Current biennium cost increase - local school administrative
units |
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FY 2023-24 |
FY 2024-25 |
Projections FY 2025-26 |
Projections FY 2026-27 |
| Net Cost
(Savings) |
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General Fund |
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$81,400,000 |
$81,400,000 |
$81,400,000 |
$81,400,000 |
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| Appropriations/Allocations |
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General Fund |
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$81,400,000 |
$81,400,000 |
$81,400,000 |
$81,400,000 |
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| Fiscal Detail
and Notes |
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This bill makes
changes to the calculation of salary and benefit costs in the essential
programs and services funding model beginning in fiscal year 2023-24. The changes include lowering the
student-to-guidance staff ratio for the elementary and middle school levels
from 350:1 to 250:1, establishing a student-to-clinical mental health
provider ratio for the elementary, middle and high school levels at 250:1 and
establishing a student-to-school psychologist ratio for the elementary,
middle and high school levels at 500:1.
The Department of Education estimates that these provisions will
increase the total cost of public education from kindergarten to grade 12 by
$148.0 million per year beginning in fiscal year 2023-24. The bill includes General Fund
appropriations totaling $81.4 million per year to the General Purpose Aid for
Local Schools program for the State's share (55%) of that cost. The table below provides a breakdown of the
cost of each provision. |
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State share |
Local share |
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(55%) |
(45%) |
Total |
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Student-to-guidance staff ratio lowered from
350:1 to 250:1 |
$ 5,500,000 |
$ 4,500,000 |
$ 10,000,000 |
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Establishes student-to-clinical mental health
provider ratio of 250:1 |
$ 36,300,000 |
$ 29,700,000 |
$ 66,000,000 |
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Establishes student-to-school psychologist
ratio of 500:1 |
$ 39,600,000 |
$ 32,400,000 |
$ 72,000,000 |
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Total annual cost |
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$ 81,400,000 |
$ 66,600,000 |
$ 148,000,000 |
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This fiscal note
assumes that, if the Department of Education establishes a behavior analyst
training program in conjunction with the University of Southern Maine, it
will do so within existing budgeted resources and no General Fund
appropriations will be required. |
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