Universal School Meals Program Act of 2021
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (10 May 2021): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
What this bill does
The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2021, introduced in the Senate, would amend federal nutrition programs to provide free breakfast and lunch to all school children, regardless of income. It would also increase the reimbursement rates for schools participating in these programs. Additionally, the bill would prohibit schools from discriminating against or identifying children receiving free meals, such as through special tokens or announcements.
The bill would also expand the summer food service program to make all children eligible and revise how poverty is measured for eligibility in certain programs to include categories like runaway or homeless youth and foster children. These changes aim to ensure access to meals and reduce potential stigma for participating students.
As of its introduction in May 2021, this bill is in its initial stage and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. The next step would involve committee review and potential amendments before it could proceed to a vote in the Senate.
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 2021
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 permanently 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
10 May 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Common questions
- What does S. 1530 do?
- The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2021, introduced in the Senate, would amend federal nutrition programs to provide free breakfast and lunch to all school children, regardless of income. It would also increase the reimbursement rates for schools participating in these programs. Additionally, the bill would prohibit schools from discriminating against or identifying children receiving free meals, such as through special tokens or announcements. The bill would also expand the summer food service program to make all children eligible and revise how poverty is measured for eligibility in certain programs to include categories like runaway or homeless youth and foster children. These changes aim to ensure access to meals and reduce potential stigma for participating students. As of its introduction in May 2021, this bill is in its initial stage and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. The next step would involve committee review and potential amendments before it could proceed to a vote in the Senate.
- Has S. 1530 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 1530. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 1530?
- S. 1530 was sponsored by Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (I-VT), with 16 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 1530?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (10 May 2021).
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