House Bill No. [insert number] proposes the establishment of the Free School Breakfast Program, which will be administered by the Louisiana Department of Education (DOE). This program aims to provide free breakfasts to certain public school students, with funding allocated for each reimbursable breakfast served, limited to one breakfast per student per school day. The reimbursement amount will be determined by the difference between the amount paid by the United States Department of Agriculture and the free rate set annually by the Secretary of Agriculture. The bill also allows the DOE to create a payment schedule for the program.

To qualify for funding, governing authorities of school nutrition programs must participate in the federal School Breakfast Program, provide reimbursable breakfasts at no cost to all students, and maximize access to federal funds. The implementation of this program is contingent upon legislative appropriation of funds and is set to begin at the start of the 2026-2027 school year. Additionally, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is tasked with promulgating necessary rules for the program's implementation, and a group of stakeholders will be convened to explore the potential impact of offering statewide free school meals through other state-funded programs.