(2) THE PROGRAM IS A JOINT EFFORT OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THE
COUNTY BOARDS OR SPONSORING AGENCIES FOR ELIGIBLE NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS;
AND BUSINESS ENTITIES IN THE STATE.

(B) (C) (1) THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR
A SCHOOL THAT MAKES AN IN-CLASSROOM AN IN CLASSROOM BREAKFAST
AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL.

(2) THE FUNDING IS INTENDED TO COMPLEMENT THE FUNDING
RECEIVED BY A SCHOOL FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR A SCHOOL
BREAKFAST PROGRAM.

(C) (D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL:

(1) DEVELOP AN APPLICATION FORM FOR:

(I) FOR A SCHOOL THAT DESIRES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE

PROGRAM; AND

(II) A BUSINESS ENTITY THAT DESIRES TO RECEIVE A STATE
INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROGRAM;

(2) ENSURE THAT THE SCHOOLS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM
REPRESENT GEOGRAPHIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC BALANCE STATEWIDE;

(3) ENSURE THAT A SCHOOL THAT PARTICIPATES IN THE PROGRAM IS A
SCHOOL AT WHICH AT LEAST 40% OF THE REGISTERED STUDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR
THE FEDERAL FREE OR REDUCED PRICE MEAL PROGRAM;

(4) SELECT SCHOOLS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM, ENSURING
THAT AN EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM IS CONDUCTED BY A PUBLIC AN
INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION OR OTHER UNIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT THAT
IS INDEPENDENT OF THE DEPARTMENT; AN©

(5) ANNUALLY REVIEW AND SET THE MEAL REIMBURSEMENT RATE FOR
SCHOOLS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM TO COMPLEMENT THE FEDERAL
MEAL REIMBURSEMENT RATE DETERMINED UNDER § 7-703 OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND

(6) DISBURSE THE PROGRAM FUNDS TO THE COUNTY BOARD OR THE
SPONSORING AGENCY.

(D) (E) A COUNTY BOARD OR A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR AN ELIGIBLE
NONPUBLIC SCHOOL SHALL:

(1) APPLY TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR FUNDS FOR SCHOOLS WITHIN THE
JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD OR FOR SCHOOLS THAT ARE UNDER THE SPONSORING
AGENCY THAT:

(I) ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM; AND

(II) APPLY TO THE BOARD OR TO THE SPONSORING AGENCY TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM; AND