RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Virginia House Education Subcommittee has voted unanimously to refer a bill that would make school meals free to students to Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.
The bill was submitted by chief patron Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) on Jan. 9.
According to the bill, if it were to become law, it would require all public elementary and secondary schools to “participate in the federal National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”
This would mean that lunch and breakfast would be available to any student without need for payment — unless a caregiver has provided written permission for the school board to withhold such a meal.
All meals would be reimbursed to the schools by the Department of Education, according to the bill.
The bill also contains provisions “directing each school board to adopt policies and procedures aimed at maximizing access to federal funds available for the cost of participating in school breakfast and lunch programs” and taking advantage of the Community Eligibility Provision.
The Senate version of the bill was referred to the Finance and Appropriations Committee on Thursday, Jan. 18.
