FREE SCHOOL LUNCH AND BREAKFAST PROGRAM S.B. 500:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 500 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Dayna Polehanki
Committee: Education
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Revised School Code to require the Department of Education (MDE)
to create and operate a program in which public schools could provide free school lunch and
breakfast to eligible students.
Proposed MCL 380.1271
BRIEF RATIONALE
According to testimony before the Senate Committee on Education, food insecurity can
negatively affect a student's ability to learn. Hunger and associated stress and anxiety can
reduce a student's concentration, harm academic performance, cause behavioral issues, and
increase a student's likelihood of getting sick. While some food-insecure students may have
access to free or reduced lunch programs, the stigma attached to those programs may
dissuade students from taking advantage of them. Accordingly, it has been suggested that
the Free School Breakfast and Lunch program included in Public Act (PA) 103 of 2023
permanently be offered to all K-12 students and certain pupils enrolled in special education
programs.
Legislative Analyst: Abby Schneider
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State or local government. Public Act 103 of 2023
included funding for universal school breakfast and lunch programs in the School Aid Act. The
MDE estimates that the expansion for free breakfast and lunch to all students will cost
approximately $160.0 million per year, which was the amount appropriated in PA 103 for the
2023-2024 school year. The bill clarifies that, in addition to pupils in grades pre-K to 12, the
program also would cover pupils aged 26 or less who were enrolled in special education
programs, including pupils who attend the Michigan School for the Deaf. While these additional
pupils were not included in PA 103, the original estimate of $160.0 million per year included
them, so the estimated cost of the program would not change.
There likely would not be operational change for MDE, as the program in the bill is identical
to the program created by PA 103.
Date Completed: 9-26-23 Fiscal Analyst: Ryan Bergan
floor\sb500 Bill Analysis @ www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not
constitute an official statement of legislative intent.


Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 380.1, 380.1852