This bill mandates that school boards provide both breakfast and lunch to all students under their jurisdiction, ensuring that these meals are available without cost or at a reduced cost for children who meet federal income eligibility guidelines. The existing legal language is amended to specify that each school board must make lunch available during school hours and breakfast available before or during school hours, unless the start of school is delayed. The previous requirement of providing "at least one meal" has been replaced with a clear obligation to provide both breakfast and lunch. Additionally, the bill emphasizes that the state board of education will oversee compliance and establish nutritional standards for the meals provided.

The fiscal impact of the bill is significant, with estimated state expenditures potentially increasing between $200,000 and $1.2 million annually, depending on various factors such as student enrollment and participation rates in the meal programs. The bill does not allocate specific funding, which may lead to indeterminate increases in local school district expenditures as they implement the required meal programs. The Department of Education has indicated that the costs will vary by district, influenced by startup costs, labor, and meal pricing. Overall, the bill aims to enhance access to nutritious meals for students while placing financial responsibilities on both state and local entities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 189:11-a