This bill aims to improve student access to free meals in public schools, ensuring that no student experiences hunger while attending school. It introduces a new section that expresses the legislature's intent to provide meals at no charge to all requesting students. Key amendments include modifications to RCW 28A.150.260, establishing a funding distribution formula for basic education that will allocate resources based on the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals during specific prior school years. The bill also repeals RCW 28A.235.260 and requires the superintendent of public instruction to report state per-pupil allocations in a more transparent manner.

Starting in the 2026-27 school year, all school districts will be required to provide breakfast and lunch at no charge to any student who requests these meals, regardless of their eligibility for federally reimbursed programs. The bill introduces a new reimbursement structure for school districts and includes provisions to protect students from being publicly identified for their inability to pay for meals. Additionally, it mandates the creation of a statewide electronic repository for household income information to streamline eligibility determinations for low-income programs. The bill also addresses bonuses for teachers in high-poverty schools and sets a timeline for implementation, ensuring that the necessary funding is in place for the act to take effect.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.62.050, 28A.235.160, 28A.235.250, 28A.235.270, 28A.235.285, 28A.235.300, 28A.405.415, 28A.235.260