The Hunger-Free Campus Act, as proposed in H.B. No. 2025-2026, aims to establish the Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program in Ohio, which will be administered by the Chancellor of Higher Education. The bill defines "qualifying institutions" as state or private nonprofit institutions of higher education and outlines the criteria for these institutions to earn a hunger-free campus designation. This includes having on-campus food pantries, providing information on food assistance programs, and establishing emergency assistance grants. The Chancellor will also develop a logo for designated institutions and determine the grant amounts based on need and eligibility criteria, with a preference for institutions serving a higher percentage of Pell Grant-eligible students.

The bill includes an appropriation of $625,000 for the Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. Institutions receiving grants will be required to report on their use of funds and the impact on food security on their campuses. Additionally, the Chancellor is tasked with preparing a report on the program's effectiveness two years after its establishment. The act emphasizes flexibility in the use of grant funds while ensuring that existing funding for food insecurity initiatives is not reduced as a result of receiving these grants.