The proposed bill establishes a Hunger-Free Campus Initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity among students in public institutions of higher education. It introduces a new grant program managed by the department, which will provide funding to eligible institutions, including municipally administered colleges and minority-serving institutions, to support students in completing their education. The program will be overseen by a director who will develop guidelines for grant distribution, assess student hunger needs, and provide technical assistance to institutions. The bill outlines specific criteria for institutions to qualify for grants, such as having designated staff for hunger awareness and on-campus meal vendors that accept nutrition benefits.

Additionally, the bill creates a Hunger-Free Campus Trust Fund to support the grant program, which will be funded through appropriations, interest, and private donations. The fund will not revert to the General Fund at the end of the fiscal year, ensuring that resources remain available for the initiative. The commissioner of higher education is tasked with reporting annually on the program's activities, including the number of grants awarded, the engagement of students, and the overall effectiveness of the initiative in combating food insecurity on campuses.