Bill > HB2526

This bill amends the Education Code to establish comprehensive protections for public school students with insufficient meal card or account balances. The legislation requires school districts to implement a grace period policy that allows students to continue purchasing meals for at least one week, even if their account balance is exhausted, without charging fees or interest. The bill mandates that districts make at least three attempts to privately notify parents about low balances, including sending home an unmarked envelope with a written notice and an application for free or reduced-price meals. Districts must also attempt to make payment arrangements and assist parents in completing meal assistance applications. After the initial grace period, schools must continue providing regular meals at no cost to the student. The bill explicitly prohibits schools from punishing students with negative meal card balances by preventing graduation, withholding diplomas, or requiring grade repetition. Additionally, districts are forbidden from publicly identifying students with negative balances or causing student embarrassment. If payment cannot be obtained by the end of the school year, districts may use private donations to cover the balance and must provide free or reduced-price meal applications for the subsequent year. The provisions will take effect for the 2025-2026 school year, aiming to ensure that no student goes without a meal due to financial constraints.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB2526