Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to make changes to Minnesota's education finance system related to school meals. The objectives are to increase available funds for local schools and adjust eligibility for state-paid free school lunches based on family income.

Main Provisions

• Increase in Local Optional Aid: The bill proposes an increase in the funding available to local schools, although specifics are not detailed in the provided text.
• Eligibility for Free School Lunches: The bill limits the eligibility for state-paid free school lunches to families with incomes at or below 500 percent of the federal poverty level. This is an expansion from the typical threshold which often sits at 185 percent for free or reduced-price meals.
• School Meals Policy: Schools must adopt a written meals policy available on their website. This policy should:
  • Clearly communicate charges for student meals if payment cannot be made at the time of service.
  • Prohibit lunch shaming or isolating students for unpaid meal debts.
  • State whether a collections agency will be used to collect unpaid debts.
  • Ensure that a meal, once served, cannot be taken back from a student.
  • Guarantee that students eligible for free or reduced-price meals receive a reimbursable meal, regardless of debts.
• Third-Party Vendors: If schools contract meal services to third parties, they must ensure the vendor adheres to the school meal policy.

Significant Changes

• The term "enhanced school meal" is introduced for meals given to students whose family incomes are between 185 percent and 500 percent of the federal poverty level.
• Redefinition of eligibility for free and reduced-price meals to include an "enhanced meal eligibility standard."

Relevant Terms

• School meals policy
• Free school lunch
• Federal poverty guidelines
• Local optional aid
• Enhanced meal eligibility standard
• Lunch shaming