Louisiana House Bill HB1141

Louisiana 2010 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/29/10
• Refer: 3/29/10
• Report Pass: 5/12/10
• Engrossed: 5/20/10
• Refer: 5/24/10
• Report Pass: 6/10/10
• Enrolled: 6/21/10
• Chaptered: 6/29/10
• Passed: 6/29/10

Caption

Requires certain public school governing authorities with a policy of denying nutrition to students to implement certain procedures (EN SEE FISC NOTE LF EX See Note)

Impact

The bill is designed to enhance the welfare of students in public elementary schools by safeguarding access to meals, which are critical for both health and academic performance. It seeks to prevent potential stigma attached to meal denial and to mitigate the adverse effects this could have on children’s ability to learn effectively. By mandating schools to implement strict procedures, the bill modifies existing statutes to reinforce protections for students facing economic challenges.

Summary

House Bill 1141 seeks to amend Louisiana's existing laws regarding school nutrition programs to establish specific procedures for public schools that adopt meal denial policies. The bill requires schools to notify parents prior to denying meals to students for non-payment and to provide alternative food options if a meal is withheld. Additionally, schools must document instances of meal denial and report them to state education officials, ensuring that students' health and learning are protected even if they face meal denial due to payment issues.

Sentiment

The general sentiment around HB 1141 appears to be supportive among educators and child welfare advocates who see the need for maintaining student access to nutrition in schools. However, there may also be concerns regarding the enforcement of these new procedures and the potential administrative burden placed on school governing authorities. The discussions indicate a recognition of the importance of balancing fiscal responsibility with the need to ensure no child is deprived of meals due to financial constraints.

Contention

A notable point of contention surrounding the bill involves the balance between ensuring students receive necessary nutrition and the financial implications for school budgets. Some stakeholders worry about the impact of these mandated procedures on schools that may already be struggling with funding. Additionally, the requirement to report meal denials to state agencies raises discussions about parental privacy and the potential stigma for families affected by meal denial policies.