Universal School Meals Program Act of 2019
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (16 Oct 2019): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
What this bill does
This bill, the Universal School Meals Program Act of 2019, would amend federal child nutrition laws to make school breakfasts and lunches free for all enrolled students, regardless of family income, eliminating the current system of free, reduced-price, and full-price meal categories. It sets new national average reimbursement rates for free breakfasts and lunches, with annual inflation adjustments, and creates an additional payment for schools that source a significant share of their food locally. The bill also bars schools from collecting unpaid meal debt from families and prohibits practices that stigmatize or identify children based on meal payment status ("meal shaming"). It expands related programs, including summer meal services, a new Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children program providing food benefits to low-income households during summer months, and adult and child care food programs, while adjusting related definitions and administrative rules.
The bill would primarily affect students and families nationwide by removing meal payment status as a factor in school food access, as well as school districts, state education agencies, and food service providers, who would receive federal reimbursements at revised rates and lose the option to collect meal debt. It also affects USDA administration of related nutrition programs and, through associated provisions, touches other laws including the Higher Education Act, Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and SNAP.
S. 2609 was introduced in the Senate on October 16, 2019, by Senator Bernie Sanders, with Senator Schumer formally introducing it, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. As of the latest available information, the bill has not received a committee vote or further floor action, and it did not become law in 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 breakfast program, or (2) overtly identifying a child participating in the 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
16 Oct 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Common questions
- What does S. 2609 do?
- This bill, the Universal School Meals Program Act of 2019, would amend federal child nutrition laws to make school breakfasts and lunches free for all enrolled students, regardless of family income, eliminating the current system of free, reduced-price, and full-price meal categories. It sets new national average reimbursement rates for free breakfasts and lunches, with annual inflation adjustments, and creates an additional payment for schools that source a significant share of their food locally. The bill also bars schools from collecting unpaid meal debt from families and prohibits practices that stigmatize or identify children based on meal payment status ("meal shaming"). It expands related programs, including summer meal services, a new Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children program providing food benefits to low-income households during summer months, and adult and child care food programs, while adjusting related definitions and administrative rules. The bill would primarily affect students and families nationwide by removing meal payment status as a factor in school food access, as well as school districts, state education agencies, and food service providers, who would receive federal reimbursements at revised rates and lose the option to collect meal debt. It also affects USDA administration of related nutrition programs and, through associated provisions, touches other laws including the Higher Education Act, Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and SNAP. S. 2609 was introduced in the Senate on October 16, 2019, by Senator Bernie Sanders, with Senator Schumer formally introducing it, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. As of the latest available information, the bill has not received a committee vote or further floor action, and it did not become law in the 116th Congress.
- Has S. 2609 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 2609. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 2609?
- S. 2609 was sponsored by Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (I-VT), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2609?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (16 Oct 2019).
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