This bill mandates that school boards provide both breakfast and lunch to all students under their jurisdiction, ensuring that these meals are available at no 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 the explicit requirement for 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 by between $200,000 and $1.2 million annually, although no specific funding is allocated in the bill. The Department of Education anticipates that the implementation of this requirement will affect local school districts in various ways, including startup and operational costs, which are currently indeterminable. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and aims to enhance access to nutritious meals for students across the state.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 189:11-a