Bill > SF2708

This bill modifies Minnesota's school meal and education funding policies, with key changes focused on establishing an "enhanced school meals program" that limits state-paid free school lunches to families with incomes at or below 500 percent of the federal poverty level. The bill introduces new definitions for meal types, including full paid, free, reduced-price, and enhanced meals, and requires schools participating in the national school lunch program to adopt specific meal policies that maintain student dignity and ensure no student is denied a meal. The legislation also increases local optional aid for school districts by creating a three-tier system of optional revenue allowances, with the first tier set at $92, the second tier at $300, and the third tier at $424 per adjusted pupil unit. Additionally, the bill allows school districts to transfer funds from other accounts to support meals above the enhanced eligibility standard and modifies how charter schools receive general education revenue. These changes are set to take effect for fiscal year 2026 and later, aiming to provide more flexible funding for school meals while establishing clearer guidelines for meal provision and eligibility.

Budget and Finance

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2708&ssn=0&y=2025