The proposed bill establishes a statewide "Healthy School Meals for All" program in Rhode Island, which aims to provide universal access to free breakfast and lunch for all public school students. The implementation of this program will be phased in over three years, starting with all public elementary schools in the 2026-2027 school year, followed by all public elementary and middle schools in the 2027-2028 school year, and finally extending to all public elementary and secondary schools by the 2028-2029 school year. The bill mandates that participating schools provide meals without charge to all enrolled students every school day.

The bill also outlines the responsibilities of public educational entities in operating the school meal programs, which include seeking to achieve the highest level of student participation through various strategies, such as providing breakfast meals that can be picked up outside the cafeteria, making breakfast available in classrooms, and ensuring adequate lunch periods for students. Additionally, schools are encouraged to improve meal quality by complying with state nutrition requirements, purchasing locally grown food items, freshly preparing meals, and providing culturally relevant options.

Public educational entities are required to maximize access to federal funds to offset the costs of the school breakfast and lunch program by participating in federal programs such as the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs and the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). They must also report data related to the purchasing of locally grown food items used in the meal programs.

The General Assembly is required to make appropriations in the budget to support the program, including funding for early childhood education programs and a full-time equivalent employee at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to assist in the administration and implementation of the program. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.