Bill > S2083

This bill establishes a statewide "Healthy School Meals for All" program in Rhode Island public schools, aiming to provide universal free breakfast and lunch to all students. The program will be implemented in phases over three years, starting with elementary schools in the 2027-2028 school year, then adding middle schools in the 2028-2029 school year, and finally including all high school students by the 2029-2030 school year. To fund this initiative, public educational entities will be required to maximize federal funds by participating in federal programs like the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs or the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows schools with a high percentage of low-income students to offer free meals to all students. The bill also mandates that the General Assembly appropriate funds to cover the cost of free meals for children in state-subsidized early childhood education programs and to support an employee at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to administer the program. Additionally, schools are encouraged to improve meal quality by complying with nutrition standards, purchasing local foods, preparing scratch-cooked meals, and incorporating student and family feedback into menu planning. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2027.

Budget and Finance

https://status.rilegislature.gov/