HB2610 directs that with few exceptions, schools that participate in the national school lunch program, the school breakfast program, or both, shall annually distribute and collect an application for all households of children in kindergarten through grade twelve to determine student eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. If a parent or guardian of a student needs assistance with application materials in a language other than English, the school shall offer appropriate assistance to the parent or guardian.
Schools may apply for some students who haven’t submitted applications but are likely eligible.
Local agencies must coordinate with the schools to ensure that children who are living homeless have access to meals.
All schools shall provide a meal that qualifies for federal reimbursement as either a free or reduced-price lunch under the national school lunch program, or a free or reduced-price breakfast under the school breakfast program, to each student requesting a meal, unless requested otherwise in writing by the student’s parent or guardian.
The meal may not be conditioned on the student’s ability to pay for the meal or for any amount owed for meals previously served to the student.
Mechanisms should be put in place to address when kids haven’t been able to pay for five or more meals.
No school or school district can identify, stigmatize or ask for work from a child who isn’t able to pay.
