Bill > H1466

This bill establishes a hunger-free campus grant program managed by the state's department of higher education to address student food insecurity at public higher education institutions, municipal colleges, and minority-serving institutions. The program aims to support students in completing their post-secondary education and enhancing the state's workforce. Under the program, the department will hire a director to develop guidelines for grant allocation, which will consider factors such as campus staff dedicated to food insecurity, hunger awareness programs, meal vendors accepting nutrition benefits, student meal credit sharing programs, and income-based standards. Institutions meeting the established guidelines can receive grants to combat student hunger. The bill creates a Hunger-Free Campus Trust Fund, which will be financed through appropriations, donations, and grants, to support the program. The department is required to submit annual reports to the governor and legislative committees detailing grant recipients, campus activities, student engagement, and program outcomes. The commissioner must also provide an annual financial report of the fund, including sources of funding, expenditures, and future projections. The ultimate goal is to provide comprehensive support to help students overcome food insecurity and successfully complete their educational pursuits.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1466