The proposed bill establishes a statewide "Healthy School Meals for All" program in Rhode Island, which aims to provide universal breakfast and lunch to all public school students. The implementation of this program will be phased in over three years, starting with all public elementary schools in the 2027-2028 school year, followed by all public elementary and middle schools in the 2028-2029 school year, and finally extending to all public elementary and secondary schools, including high schoolers, by the 2029-2030 school year. The bill mandates that participating schools provide these meals at no charge to all enrolled students every school day.

Additionally, the bill outlines various operational requirements for public educational entities, including seeking to achieve the highest level of student participation, improving meal quality, and reporting on the use of locally sourced food. Schools are encouraged to maximize access to federal funds to support the program's costs by participating in federal programs such as the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs and the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

The General Assembly is required to make appropriations by separate line items in the budget to cover the costs of providing free meals in state-subsidized early childhood education programs and to support the administration of the program, including funding for a full-time equivalent employee at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2027.