This bill aims to address food insecurity among students in Rhode Island by proposing the mandatory provision of reimbursable breakfasts and lunches for all public elementary and secondary school students. It requires schools participating in the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program to provide breakfast and lunch without charge to all enrolled students every school day. The bill also outlines measures to improve meal quality and requires public schools to report data on the purchasing of locally grown or produced food items. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is tasked with adopting rules and regulations necessary for making reimbursements under the bill. The bill also requires the General Assembly to appropriate funds for providing lunches at no charge for children in state-subsidized early childhood education programs.

This bill would repeal current laws on mandatory school lunch and breakfast programs and establish a new standard that requires all public elementary and secondary schools to make reimbursable breakfasts and lunches available to all students. It specifies various requirements for the program, such as maximizing access to federal funds, providing breakfast meals that can be picked up by students, and improving meal quality. The bill also includes specific language regarding the funding and administration of the program, including the appropriation of funds to reimburse public schools and the allocation of funds for a full-time employee at the department of elementary and secondary education to aid in program administration. The bill clarifies that students are still able to submit payment for a school meal if they choose to do so.