COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
Statement of Introduction
Universal Free School Meals Amendment Act of 2023
January 13, 2023
Today, I am proud to introduce the Universal Free School Meals Amendment Act of 2023, along
with Councilmembers Charles Allen, Zachary Parker, Robert C. White, Jr., Brooke Pinto,
Brianne K. Nadeau, Vincent C. Gray, and Matthew Frumin. This legislation would provide free
universal school breakfast, lunch, and after-school snacks to students in public, charter, and
participating private schools in the District of Columbia.
For so many children in our city, schools serve as more than a place of learning; schools provide
essential resources to students and families to support their overall wellbeing. The research on
the benefits of having access to nutritional school meals is very clear. Students who receive free
school meals have shown improved academic achievement, experienced lower obesity rates,
consumed more fruits and vegetables, lowered risk of behavioral issues, and experienced reduced
nutrition deficiencies. We also know that lack of nutritious meals disproportionally affects Black
and Latinx children, with 21% of Black households and approximately 30% of Latinx
households with children, reporting food insufficiency.
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Prior to the pandemic 77% of the Districts’ children received free or reduced-price school
meals.
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Two benefits would accrue for this population. The first would be that some families
would no longer have to pay anything at all for receiving reduced-price lunches. The second
being that concerns around the stigma associated with receiving this benefit would no longer be
an issue. It is also important to highlight that this percentage does not cover all eligible families;
some not applying for free or reduced priced school meals due to a variety of factors such as a
language barrier or undocumented status. Additionally, federal guidelines for eligibility do not
account for regional variations in the cost of living, meaning that many families in the District
who would otherwise stand to benefit, cannot.
Currently, three states – Colorado, California, and Maine – have similar legislation in place, with
several other states considering permanent legislation as well. The District should join this
broader movement to provide free universal school meals. The D.C. Food Policy Council
estimated that this legislation would have a relatively low-price tag of approximately $8 million
annually, as 86% of the cost for this bill would be covered by already existing federal and local
reimbursements.
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1
The road ahead: 2021 Update on Food Access & Food Security in the District of Columbia Building a more
equitable, healthy, and sustainable District food system. (2022, May 4). https://dcfoodpolicy.org/
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https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/district-of-columbia
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https://dcfoodpolicy.org/2022/12/16/universal-free-school-meals-in-dc/
Christina Henderson Committee Member
Councilmember, At-Large Hospital and Health Equity
Chairperson, Committee on Health Judiciary and Public Safety
Transportation and the Environment
COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
I have been committed to reducing hunger and providing District residents with access to
nutritious food during my time on the Council. My bill, Give SNAP A Raise, that passed in the
last council period, will increase food security in the District, and subsequently improve health
outcomes for both families and children. This legislation would further that work, ensuring that
children are not hamstrung in any way due to hunger while in school.
I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Council to pass this legislation and provide
access to universal school meals across the District for all children.
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Councilmember Zachary Parker Councilmember Christina Henderson 2
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Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr. Councilmember Charles Allen 6
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Councilmember Vincent C. Gray Councilmember Matthew Frumin 10
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Councilmember Brooke Pinto Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau 14
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AN ACT 18
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 22
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To provide universal free school meals and after school snacks to public school, public charter 26
school, and participating private school students in the District of Columbia. 27
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 29
act may be cited as the “Universal Free School Meals Act of 2023”. 30
Sec 2. The Healthy Schools Act of 2010, effective July 27, 2010 (D.C. Law 18-31
20; D.C. Official Code § 38-822.01 et seq.), is amended by adding a new section 203b to read as 32
follows: 33
“Sec. 203b. Universal free school meals. 34
“(a) Beginning in School Year 2023-2024, and for every school year thereafter, public 35
schools, public charter schools, and private schools that participate in the National School Lunch 36 2
Program shall offer free breakfast, lunch, and after school snacks to all students, without 37
consideration of the student’s eligibility for a federally funded free or reduced-price meal. 38
“(b) The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (“OSSE”) shall reimburse 39
public schools, public charter schools, and participating private schools for meals provided to 40
students who are ineligible for a federally funded free or reduced-price meal. 41
“(c) OSSE shall ensure that all schools continue to receive federal reimbursements for 42
school meals for which they qualify, including the Community Eligibility Provision, the National 43
School Lunch Program, the National School Breakfast Program, and any available local 44
funding. 45
“(d) Reimbursements provided by OSSE shall not exceed the difference between the sum 46
of the amounts calculated for meals claimed based on the federal reimbursement rates for free 47
and reduced-price school meal and the full price of the meal provided to each student ineligible 48
for free and reduced-price meals. 49
“(e) OSSE shall provide training to school staff and administrators on how to implement 50
universal free school meals. 51
“(f) OSSE may issue rules to implement this section.”. 52
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 53
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal 54
impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, 55
approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 56
Sec. 4. Effective date. 57
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 58
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as 59 3
provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 60
24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of 61
Columbia Register. 62