Purpose

This bill adds a new requirement for school districts and charter schools that qualify for the federal free school meals program but choose not to participate. It requires these sites to annually inform parents and students about the program and the potential costs and benefits if the site did participate.

Main Provisions

• WhoMust Notify: A school district site or charter school site that qualifies for the free school meals program but does not participate must provide the notice.
• Notice Content: The written notice must include:
  • That the site does not participate in the free school meals program.
  • An estimate of the average amount a student would pay in total meal sales fees for the current school year for food that would be part of a federally reimbursable meal.
  • A statement that a student would be eligible to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost if the site participated.
• Timing: The notice must be provided no later than 15 days after the beginning of each school year.
• Recipients: The notice must be given to parents and students enrolled at the site.
• Language: The notice must be provided in the same languages used in the application for educational benefits for students at that site.
• Frequency: The notice must be provided annually.

Significance and Changes to Existing Law

• New Requirement: The bill creates a new subdivision (1e) within the applicable education statute to mandate annual, written notices at non-participating sites that qualify for the free meals program.
• Transparency about Costs and Benefits: By including the estimated potential costs and the information about eligibility for free meals if participating, the bill increases transparency for families regarding participation decisions.

Administrative Implications

• Schools would need to track which sites qualify for the program but do not participate and prepare annual notices.
• Notices must be produced in multiple languages, aligned with the site's educational benefits applications.
• Schools may need to coordinate with nutrition services and administrative staff to calculate and communicate the cost estimates.

Relevant Terms - free school meals program - notice - school district site - charter school site - does not participate - parents and students - written notice - average student - total meal sales fees - federally reimbursable meal - breakfast and lunch at no cost - educational benefits application - languages - annual notice