The bill under consideration aims to combat student hunger and promote healthy eating habits by ensuring that all public elementary and secondary schools in Rhode Island provide reimbursable breakfasts and lunches to students every school day at no charge. It emphasizes the connection between proper nutrition and positive educational outcomes, referencing the health benefits and cost savings from previous USDA nutrition standards. The bill outlines strategies to increase student participation, enhance meal quality by incorporating locally sourced foods, and involve students and families in menu planning. Schools are required to report on local food purchases and will be reimbursed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the difference between the federal free reimbursement rate and the rate received for each meal served. The bill prohibits schools from soliciting voluntary meal payments from families but allows them to accept such payments.

The proposed legislation includes new legal language that extends the no-charge meal program to all K-12 students and ensures that the funding from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is considered entitlement dollars, subject to adjustment to meet program needs. It also introduces requirements for breakfast accessibility, longer lunch periods, and the purchase of local food items for meal preparation. The bill calls for the General Assembly to make appropriations for the support of a full-time employee at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to assist with the program. It removes previous legal language regarding type A lunch requirements and state subsidies for breakfast programs. The act is set to be implemented upon passage.