Bill > HB4871

This bill mandates that every county school board in West Virginia must offer a vegetarian meal option to students participating in school nutrition programs, such as the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, provided these meals meet federal nutritional guidelines. The Legislature finds that offering vegetarian meals is important for student health and academic success, and that accommodating these diets is feasible without significant burden. Schools may require students to request vegetarian meals in advance, with reasonable deadlines for planning and ordering, and are not obligated to provide them on a given day if no advance request is made. County school boards have the authority to establish the specific procedures for these advance requests, including their form, duration, and how to ensure compliance with federal reimbursement rules. Importantly, this bill does not change or expand existing requirements for medical or religious dietary accommodations. The State Board of Education is authorized to create rules to guide county boards and ensure adherence to federal nutrition standards.