Universal School Meals Program Act of 2019
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (8 Nov 2019): Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
What this bill does
The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2019 (H.R. 4684) would amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to eliminate reduced-price breakfasts and lunches and make school meals free to all enrolled children, regardless of household income. It removes existing income-eligibility requirements, restructures federal reimbursement rates for free meals (with annual inflation adjustments), adds an extra reimbursement for schools using locally sourced food, and repeals the "special assistance" program tied to income-based eligibility since it would no longer be needed. The bill also bars schools from collecting unpaid meal debt from students, prohibits "lunch shaming" practices such as publicly identifying children with unpaid balances, expands summer meal programs (including a new Summer EBT benefit for low-income households with children), and makes related changes to programs such as SNAP, WIC, child care food assistance, and several education laws.
The bill primarily affects K-12 students and their families, school districts, state education and agriculture agencies, and federal nutrition programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By eliminating income-based pricing, it would extend free-meal benefits to students who currently pay full or reduced price, while also changing administrative and reimbursement procedures for schools and other providers.
The bill was introduced on October 15, 2019, by Rep. Ilhan Omar and referred to the House Committees on Education and Labor, Agriculture, and Science, Space, and Technology. It did not receive a committee vote or floor vote and did not become law during the 116th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Universal School Meals Program Act of 2019
This bill revises requirements under the food and nutrition programs of the Department of Agriculture, such as the school lunch and breakfast programs. For example, the bill provides free meals to all school children regardless of income.
The bill increases the reimbursement rate for school food authorities participating in the food and nutrition programs.
The bill also prohibits school food authorities from (1) physically segregating or otherwise discriminating against any child participating in the free lunch or breakfast program, or (2) overtly identifying a child participating in either program with a special token or announcement.
Additionally, the bill expands the summer food service program by making all children eligible for participation in the program.
Further, the bill revises eligibility determinations for measuring poverty to include runaway or homeless youth, foster children, migratory children, and children participating in specified programs (e.g., Head Start).
Timeline
8 Nov 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4684 do?
- The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2019 (H.R. 4684) would amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to eliminate reduced-price breakfasts and lunches and make school meals free to all enrolled children, regardless of household income. It removes existing income-eligibility requirements, restructures federal reimbursement rates for free meals (with annual inflation adjustments), adds an extra reimbursement for schools using locally sourced food, and repeals the "special assistance" program tied to income-based eligibility since it would no longer be needed. The bill also bars schools from collecting unpaid meal debt from students, prohibits "lunch shaming" practices such as publicly identifying children with unpaid balances, expands summer meal programs (including a new Summer EBT benefit for low-income households with children), and makes related changes to programs such as SNAP, WIC, child care food assistance, and several education laws. The bill primarily affects K-12 students and their families, school districts, state education and agriculture agencies, and federal nutrition programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By eliminating income-based pricing, it would extend free-meal benefits to students who currently pay full or reduced price, while also changing administrative and reimbursement procedures for schools and other providers. The bill was introduced on October 15, 2019, by Rep. Ilhan Omar and referred to the House Committees on Education and Labor, Agriculture, and Science, Space, and Technology. It did not receive a committee vote or floor vote and did not become law during the 116th Congress.
- Has H.R. 4684 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 4684. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4684?
- H.R. 4684 was sponsored by Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5] (D-MN), with 17 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4684?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations. (8 Nov 2019).
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