SECTIONS 49540-49546 - California Statutes

EDUCATION CODE

SECTION 49540-49546

49540. The Department of Education shall, on behalf of the state,
participate in the federal child care food program prescribed by
Public Law 95-627, as codified in Section 1766 of Title 42 of the
United States Code, and shall not terminate its participation in such
program unless the Legislature authorizes such termination.

49541. The Department of Education is hereby designated as the
single state agency to administer the child care food program.

49542. (a) The Department of Education shall administer the child
care food program for all eligible, participating entities that
provide child development services pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing
with Section 8200) of, and alternative child care programs pursuant
to Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 8400) of, Part 6.
(b) To the extent permitted by federal law, the child care food
program shall be administered as part of such child development
services and such alternative child care programs.
(c) The department shall seek the waiver of all federal provisions
necessary to reduce fragmentation and duplication in administering
the child care food program within such child development services
and such alternative child care programs.

49543. The Department of Education shall administer the child care
food program for all eligible, participating entities that provide
child development services outside of the provisions of Chapter 2
(commencing with Section 8200) of, or child care programs outside of
the provisions of Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 8400) of, Part
6.

49544. The Department of Education shall maximize the use of
available federal funds for the federal child care food program by
all eligible entities that provide child development services or
child care programs.

49545. The Department of Education shall secure, in a timely
manner, federal reimbursement for all eligible, participating
entities in the child care food program.

49545.5. To the extent permitted by federal law, the State
Department of Education shall adopt regulations to establish
eligibility requirements for participation in the child care food
program and to impose penalties and sanctions for noncompliance by
sponsoring organizations. This section may not be construed to
prohibit the State Department of Education from terminating contracts
with sponsoring organizations. The State Department of Education is
authorized to establish contracts effective for periods of 12 months
or less for sponsoring organizations meeting the department's
high-risk profile.

49546. It is the intent of the Legislature that funding for costs
for the implementation of this article shall come from either federal
funds or transfer of funds appropriated for the support of the
Department of Education.