This bill mandates the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Department of Education, to create and provide an Internet-based application for the National School Lunch Program and school breakfast programs. The bill amends existing law to specify that school districts must publicize the availability of these programs and make efforts to utilize the new online application. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of ensuring that income-eligible students are not stigmatized in the school environment, proposing measures such as a meal plan or voucher system to maintain anonymity among participants.

Furthermore, the bill outlines that participating school districts and nonprofit nonpublic schools must implement the new online application while still offering paper applications for those who prefer them. Schools currently using an Internet-based application will have one year from the bill's enactment to transition to the newly developed application. The overall goal is to streamline the enrollment process for eligible students and enhance accessibility to these essential nutrition programs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:33-11