Bill > H715

This bill aims to promote student nutrition by encouraging school districts to adopt policies that increase access to healthy meals, maximize federal reimbursements, and reduce school meal debt. Key provisions include: 1. Allowing school districts to waive reduced-price meal fees and receive reimbursement from the state, while also assisting families in applying for federal food assistance programs. 2. Requiring schools with a high percentage of low-income students to provide universal free meals through federal programs, unless financial hardship can be demonstrated. 3. Requiring schools to notify parents promptly about negative meal account balances and provide information on how to apply for free/reduced-price meals or other food assistance. 4. Prohibiting schools from taking certain actions that would publicly identify students with unpaid meal debt, such as denying meals or access to school activities. 5. Requiring schools to exhaust all options to directly certify students for free or reduced-price meals before pursuing unpaid debt. Overall, the bill aims to promote student nutrition and reduce the burden of school meal debt on families.

Budget and Finance, Education, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H715