Bill > H506

This bill establishes the PLAY (Promoting Lifelong Athletics for Youth) Trust Fund, which will be administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The fund has three primary purposes: funding youth athletics for kindergarten through 8th-grade public school students, supporting students and families by covering sports-related fees they cannot afford, and combating childhood obesity by promoting youth sports participation. The fund will be financed through multiple sources, including legislative appropriations, public and private gifts and grants, 1% of sports wagering tax revenue, and interest earned on the fund. Uniquely, the money in this fund will not revert to the General Fund at the end of a fiscal year and will not require further legislative appropriation. The commissioner of elementary and secondary education must submit an annual report by October 1st detailing the fund's activities, including funding sources, expenditures, number of students and families assisted, and anticipated remaining revenue. This report will be made publicly available on the department's website, ensuring transparency in how the funds are used to support youth athletics.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H506