Bill > HB567

This bill amends the Texas Education Code to establish comprehensive protections for public school students with insufficient meal card or account balances. The bill requires school districts with prepaid meal systems to adopt a grace period policy that allows students to continue purchasing meals for at least one week even after their balance is exhausted, either by accumulating a negative balance or receiving a credit. The district must make at least three private attempts to notify parents about the low balance, including sending home an unmarked envelope with a written notice, trying to arrange payment plans, and helping parents complete free or reduced-price meal applications if the student might be eligible. The bill prohibits districts from charging fees or interest for these meals, publicly identifying students with negative balances, or taking punitive actions like withholding diplomas or preventing graduation due to meal card debt. After the initial grace period, districts must continue providing meals at no cost to the student. If payment cannot be obtained by the end of the school year, districts may use private donations to cover the balance and must provide an application for free or reduced-price meals for the subsequent school year. The bill will take effect for the 2025-2026 school year and aims to prevent student meal shaming while ensuring students receive proper nutrition.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB567