This bill establishes the Preschool Snack Reimbursement Grant Program in New Jersey, which mandates the state to reimburse preschools for federally unreimbursed costs associated with providing snacks to children. It appropriates $100,000 for this purpose and introduces new definitions related to eligibility, such as "federally approved participant preschool" and "unreimbursed costs." The program aims to ensure that all enrolled preschoolers receive free snacks, regardless of their eligibility for federal assistance, and specifies that the reimbursement will cover costs incurred during a defined grant reimbursement period.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to enhance the communication and application process for subsidized school meals, ensuring accessibility for parents and guardians. It establishes the "Nourishing Young Minds Initiative Fund" to support child food and nutrition programs and mandates that students eligible for reduced-price meals will not have to pay for those meals, with the state covering the cost difference. The legislation emphasizes the importance of providing nutritious meals to preschoolers and streamlining the processes for obtaining federal funding, ultimately aiming to improve the nutritional offerings in preschools across New Jersey.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:33-3.2, 18A:33-14.1, 18A:33-14.2, 18A:33-21, 18A:33-22, 18A:33-27.1