118 STAT. 743 PUBLIC LAW 108–265—JUNE 30, 2004 ‘‘(v) EXPANDED USE OF DIRECT VERIFICATION.—If the Secretary determines that direct verification significantly decreases the portion of the verification sample that must be verified under subparagraph (G), while ensuring that adequate verification information is obtained, and can be conducted by most State agen cies and local educational agencies, the Secretary may require a State agency or local educational agency to implement direct verification through 1 or more of the programs described in clause (i), as determined by the Secretary, unless the State agency or local edu cational agency demonstrates (under criteria estab lished by the Secretary) that the State agency or local educational agency lacks the capacity to conduct, or is unable to implement, direct verification. ‘‘(G) HOUSEHOLD VERIFICATION.— ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—If an approved household application is not verified through the use of public agency records, a local educational agency shall provide to the household written notice that— ‘‘(I) the approved household application has been selected for verification; and ‘‘(II) the household is required to submit verification information to confirm eligibility for free or reduced price meals. ‘‘(ii) PHONE NUMBER.—The written notice in clause (i) shall include a toll free phone number that parents and legal guardians in households selected for verification can call for assistance with the verification process. ‘‘(iii) FOLLOWUP ACTIVITIES.—If a household does not respond to a verification request, a local edu cational agency shall make at least 1 attempt to obtain the necessary verification from the household in accord ance with guidelines and regulations promulgated by the Secretary. ‘‘(iv) CONTRACT AUTHORITY FOR SCHOOL FOOD AUTHORITIES.—A local educational agency may contract (under standards established by the Secretary) with a third party to assist the local educational agency in carrying out clause (iii). ‘‘(H) VERIFICATION DEADLINE.— ‘‘(i) GENERAL DEADLINE.— ‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subclause (II), not later than November 15 of each school year, a local educational agency shall complete the verification activities required for the school year (including followup activities). ‘‘(II) EXTENSION.—Under criteria established by the Secretary, a State may extend the deadline established under subclause (I) for a school year for a local educational agency to December 15 of the school year. ‘‘(ii) ELIGIBILITY CHANGES.—Based on the verification activities, the local educational agency shall make appropriate modifications to the eligibility Notice.
�
