2025 -- H 5983

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LC000952

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FEDERAL AID

     Introduced By: Representatives Sanchez, and Cruz

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2025

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 16-8-10 and 16-8-10.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-8 entitled

"Federal Aid [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" are hereby

amended to read as follows:

     16-8-10. Mandatory school lunch programs.

     All public elementary and secondary schools shall be required to make breakfast and

federally reimbursable lunches available to students attending those schools through the USDA’s

National School Lunch Program (NSLP) in accordance with federal regulation as well as rules and

regulations adopted from time to time by the department of elementary and secondary education.

To the extent that federal, state, and other funds are available, free and. Free breakfast and

reimbursable lunches shall be provided to all students from families that meet the current specific

criteria established by federal and state regulations to who qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

The state of Rhode Island shall provide additional funds to public schools in an amount equal to

the difference between the federal reimbursement rate for a free lunch and the federal

reimbursement rate received for each student eligible for a reduced-price lunch and receiving lunch.

The requirement that free breakfast and reimbursable lunches be provided shall apply to locally

managed school lunch programs, and school breakfast and lunch programs administered directly

by the department of elementary and secondary education or by any other public agency whether

using school facilities or a commercial catering service. The department of elementary and

secondary education is further authorized to expand the school breakfast and lunch programs to the

extent that federal, state, and/or local funds are available by the utilization of one or more food

preparation centers for delivery to participating schools for the purpose of providing meals to

students on a more economical basis than could be provided by a community acting individually.

     16-8-10.1. Mandatory school breakfast programs.

     (a) All public elementary and secondary schools shall be required to make federally

reimbursable school breakfasts available to students attending those schools through the USDA’s

School Breakfast Program (SBP) in accordance with federal regulation as well as rules and

regulations that are adopted from time to time by the department of elementary and secondary

education and in compliance with the provisions of § 16-8-10. To the extent that federal, state, and

other funds are available, free Free reimbursable breakfasts shall be provided to all students from

families that meet the current specific criteria established by federal and state regulations to who

qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The state of Rhode Island shall provide additional funds to

public schools in an amount equal to the difference between the federal reimbursement rate

received for a free breakfast and the federal reimbursement rate received for each student eligible

for a reduced-price breakfast and receiving breakfast.

     (b) The state of Rhode Island shall provide school districts a per-breakfast subsidy for each

breakfast served to students. The general assembly shall annually appropriate some sum and

distribute it based on each district’s proportion of the number of breakfasts served in the prior

school year relative to the statewide total in the same year. This subsidy shall augment the nonprofit

school food service account and be used for expenses incurred in providing nutritious breakfast

meals to students.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FEDERAL AID

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     This act would require free breakfast and lunches to be provided to elementary and

secondary students attending public schools.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC000952

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