The proposed bill introduces the "Hunger-Free Campus Act" to the Code of West Virginia, establishing a framework for addressing food insecurity among students at public institutions of higher education. The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission is tasked with creating a Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program aimed at providing financial support to campuses designated as hunger-free. The program's objectives include addressing student hunger, promoting sustainable solutions for food needs, raising awareness of existing services, and fostering partnerships to combat food insecurity.

To qualify as a hunger-free campus, institutions must meet specific criteria, including forming a Campus Hunger Task Force, designating a staff member to assist with enrollment in the West Virginia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), ensuring campus stores can accept SNAP benefits, providing at least one food pantry, and developing a meal credit sharing program. The bill appropriates $1 million for the grant program, which will be allocated based on the established criteria to help institutions further combat food insecurity among their students.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18B-22-1, 18B-22-2, 18B-22-3