The bill amends the State School Aid Act of 1979, specifically section 30d, to increase funding allocations for free school lunch and breakfast programs for public school pupils in grades pre-K to 12. The proposed changes include raising the maximum allocation from the state school aid fund from $100 million to $200 million for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and extending the funding period to include the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Additionally, the bill modifies the eligibility requirements for participating entities, specifying that they must meet the requirements of the free school lunch and breakfast program under section 1271 of the revised school code.

Furthermore, the bill removes several previous requirements for participating entities, such as the necessity to participate in the National School Lunch Program and specific conditions related to maximizing federal reimbursements. It also clarifies the reimbursement process for eligible entities, ensuring they receive payments based on the federal rates for meals provided, while allowing the department to determine the payment schedule. The bill emphasizes the importance of providing meals that accommodate students' dietary restrictions and ensures that all eligible entities are reimbursed adequately for the meals served.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 388.1630