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VA SB97

VA SB97
Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program; establishment of student meal plan credit donation program.


summary

Introduced
12/31/2025
In Committee
02/03/2026
Crossed Over
01/26/2026
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Regular Session

Bill Summary

Institutions of higher education; Hunger-Free Campus Food Pantry Grant Program; establishment of student meal plan credit donation program. Renames the Hunger-Free Campus Food Pantry Grant Program, established pursuant to applicable law, as "the Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program" and amends the Program by expanding the criteria that a public institution of higher education or eligible private institution of higher education must satisfy to receive a designation as a "Hunger-Free Campus" and be awarded a grant under the Program to include a requirement that any such institution to establish both (i) an on-campus food pantry, pursuant to current law, and (ii) if such institution offers a meal swipe program or equivalent student meal swipe plan, a student meal credit sharing program, whereby students may voluntarily donate unused meal plan credits to be distributed for use by other students at campus dining halls or at its on-campus food pantry or to otherwise support its on-campus food pantry. The bill also requires grants awarded pursuant to the Program to be used to support on-campus efforts and initiatives to eliminate student food insecurity at such institution through the maintenance and operation of both its food pantry, pursuant to current law, and its student meal credit sharing program established in accordance with the bill.

AI Summary

This bill renames the Hunger-Free Campus Food Pantry Grant Program to the Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program and expands the requirements for institutions to receive this designation and grant funding. To be recognized as a "Hunger-Free Campus," public and eligible private institutions of higher education must now establish not only an on-campus food pantry (which provides free food to students without requiring proof of need, though a student ID may be required for access) but also a student meal credit sharing program. This new program allows students to voluntarily donate unused credits from their meal plans, which can then be used by other students at campus dining halls or for the on-campus food pantry. The bill also mandates that grant funds be used to support both the food pantry and the newly established meal credit sharing program to combat student food insecurity.

Committee Categories

Education, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

House Education: Higher Education Hearing (10:00:00 3/2/2026 House Committee Room A - 008) (on 03/02/2026)

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