This bill aims to enhance education finance in Minnesota by increasing local optional aid for schools and establishing new guidelines for state-funded free school lunches. It limits eligibility for state-paid free school lunches to families with incomes at or below 500 percent of the federal poverty level. The bill amends several sections of the Minnesota Statutes, including provisions related to school meals policies, school lunch aid amounts, and local optional revenue. Notably, it introduces new definitions for various meal types and eligibility standards, and it mandates that schools must adopt and publicly post their meal policies to ensure transparency and prevent lunch shaming.

Key amendments include the creation of an "enhanced" meals program, which replaces the previous "free" program terminology, and the establishment of specific funding amounts for school lunch aid based on meal types served. The bill also allows schools to set higher meal eligibility standards and transfer funds to cover meal costs. Additionally, it outlines new local optional revenue allowances for districts, which will be effective starting in fiscal year 2026. Overall, the bill seeks to improve access to nutritious meals for students while providing additional financial support to schools.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 124D.111, 124E.20, 126C.10