The proposed bill amends the Revised School Code to establish a program that provides free school lunch and breakfast to public school students in grades pre-K to 12, as well as to special education pupils, including those at the Michigan School for the Deaf. The bill outlines the requirements for participating entities, which must apply to the department to join the program. These entities are required to participate in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, provide meals at no cost, submit data on meal servings, maximize federal reimbursements, and meet all applicable standards. Additionally, they must encourage families to provide income information for eligibility determinations and forgive any school meal debt.

The bill also mandates that participating entities accommodate students with documented disabilities or medical needs regarding their dietary restrictions and encourages them to offer meals that align with students' religious or dietary preferences. Definitions for key terms such as "Community Eligibility Provision" (CEP), "health professional," and "participating entity" are included to clarify the bill's provisions. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance access to nutritious meals for students while ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 380.1, 380.1852