Sponsors (25)
The bill would expand free school-meal access for many students and simplify administration at the state level, but it shifts new funding responsibilities onto states and risks leaving some high-need schools without benefits.
Students (especially low-income students) in applicable schools would receive free meals for 100% of served meals statewide and more schools may become eligible because the identified-student threshold is set to zero and a statewide multiplier applies.
State education agencies and local school districts would face less administrative burden because states can calculate identified-student percentages across the State rather than for each LEA.
State governments must provide non‑Federal funds to cover program costs, increasing state budgetary obligations and potentially forcing spending trade-offs or new revenue measures.
Local school budgets could face fiscal uncertainty or disruption if state funding priorities shift or reimbursement formulas change as a result of the statewide approach.
Students in non-applicable schools — including some high-need populations — would not receive the benefits, so a statewide definition of 'applicable schools' could leave certain needy schools and students excluded.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes a Secretary‑administered statewide CEP option allowing States that provide non‑Federal funds to ensure LEAs receive free reimbursement for 100% of meals at applicable schools.
Official title: To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to establish statewide community eligibility for certain special assistance payments, and for other purposes.
Introduced March 27, 2025 by Peter Rey Aguilar · Last progress March 27, 2025
Creates a new, Secretary‑administered option that lets an entire State adopt a statewide Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for school meals starting in the 2025–2026 school year if the State agency agrees to supply non‑Federal funds so participating local educational agencies (LEAs) receive the free reimbursement rate for 100% of meals at applicable schools. The change adjusts how the identified student percentage and thresholds are calculated: the existing multiplier remains, the CEP threshold is set to zero, and the percent of identified students is calculated across all applicable schools in the State rather than by individual LEAs.