Bill > HR7259

This bill, the Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act of 2026, aims to make it easier for children of military families to receive free or reduced-price school meals by amending the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. Specifically, it proposes to exclude certain military housing allowances, such as the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), from being counted as household income when determining eligibility for these meal programs. The bill also mandates a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, by October 1, 2026, to explore the feasibility and cost of "direct certification," a process that would allow eligible military children to receive school meals without needing to submit a separate application, potentially by using existing data from military assistance programs.

Education

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7259/all-info