Bill > SB131

This bill establishes the "Missouri School Meals Act," which requires public schools, including public school districts, public schools, public charter schools, and private or religious schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), to provide free lunches to students approved for reduced-price meals. The bill mandates that schools help families apply for free or reduced-price lunches and explicitly prohibits schools from stigmatizing students who may be eligible for these meals. To support this initiative, the bill creates a new "School Meals Fund" in the state treasury, which will be used to reimburse schools for the difference between the total lunch cost and the federal reimbursement rate, subject to state appropriations. Schools must determine student eligibility for free or reduced-price lunches through the NSLP and provide application assistance to parents and guardians. The state board of education is tasked with developing implementation rules, and any money remaining in the fund at the end of a biennium will not revert to the general revenue fund. The bill aims to ensure that students who might struggle to afford school lunches have access to nutritious meals without facing social stigma.

Education

https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=27