The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1217, mandates that all local and regional boards of education in Connecticut shall establish and operate school lunch and breakfast programs for public school children, effective July 1, 2025. The bill removes the option for boards to charge for these meals, stipulating instead that no charges may be imposed for school lunches, breakfasts, or other child feeding programs. Furthermore, it requires that all students receive free meals, eliminating previous provisions that allowed for free meals only for children with economic needs as defined by federal standards. The bill also allows boards to accept donations and grants to support these programs.

Additionally, the bill modifies the responsibilities of the State Board of Education, which will now be required to provide annual grants to local and regional boards of education and other educational entities participating in the National School Lunch Program. The funding will include a minimum of ten cents per lunch served in the prior school year, ensuring compliance with federal nutrition standards. The bill also includes provisions for monitoring compliance and allows the Commissioner of Education to adjust grant amounts based on adherence to certification requirements. Overall, the bill aims to ensure that all students have access to nutritious meals at school without financial barriers.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-215, 10-215b
KID Joint Favorable Change of Reference: 10-215, 10-215b