Substitute House Bill No. 7273 establishes a working group tasked with studying potential funding methods for a universal free school meals program aimed at providing free breakfasts and lunches to all public school students. The working group will evaluate the necessary funding amounts, explore various funding sources—including the possibility of a dedicated tax or fee—and consider the parameters for implementing the program and disbursing funds. The group will consist of key stakeholders, including chairpersons of relevant legislative committees, representatives from public schools and education boards, public health or nutrition experts, and other necessary individuals as determined by the chairpersons.

The working group is required to hold its first meeting within sixty days of the bill's passage and must submit a report detailing its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by January 1, 2026. The bill does not impose any fiscal impact on the state or municipalities, as it is primarily focused on the establishment of the working group and the study of funding options. The new legal language introduced in this bill includes the establishment of the working group and its operational guidelines, while no existing legal language is deleted.