Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to adjust education finance provisions in Minnesota, specifically focusing on funding for school meals and defining eligibility for these meals based on family income levels.

Main Provisions

• Increase in Local Optional Aid: The bill increases local optional aid to schools, which provides them with more flexible funding options.

• Limitation on Free School Lunches: It restricts state-funded free school lunches to families that have incomes at or below 500% of the federal poverty line.

• School Meals Policy Requirements:

  • Schools must have a clearly written and accessible school meals policy.
  • Policies must ensure no student is singled out negatively for unpaid meal debts (prohibiting lunch shaming).
  • Schools need to state if they use collection agencies for unpaid meal debts.
  • Once a meal is served to a student, it cannot be taken back, regardless of outstanding debt.

• Definitions and Eligibility:

  • Defines "full-paid meal," "free meal," "reduced-price meal," and "enhanced school meal" eligibility based on specific income brackets tied to federal poverty guidelines.
  • Introduces the "enhanced meal eligibility standard" for students whose family income is between 185% and 500% of the poverty line.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill amends the income eligibility criteria for state-paid school lunches, expanding it to include a new category ("enhanced school meals") for families earning between 185% and 500% of the federal poverty line.
• It mandates a more comprehensive approach and transparency regarding school meal policies, promoting rights and dignity for students regardless of their economic status.

Relevant Terms

federal poverty guidelines, local optional aid, school meals policy, lunch shaming, enhanced meal eligibility, free school lunches, education finance, income eligibility, national school lunch program.