To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require schools to provide fluid milk substitutes upon request of a student or the parent or guardian of such student, and for other purposes.
Impact
If passed, HB1539 would necessitate changes in school cafeteria operations across the nation. Schools would be required to not only offer fluid milk substitutes but also to do so without needing a written statement from a medical authority, as previously required. This provision simplifies the process for obtaining milk substitutes, which could enhance student participation in meal programs and potentially improve overall nutrition among students with diverse dietary needs.
Summary
House Bill 1539 aims to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require schools to provide fluid milk substitutes when requested by students or their parents or guardians. This change seeks to address the needs of students who cannot consume regular milk due to dietary restrictions, thereby ensuring that all students have access to suitable nutrition while participating in school lunch programs.
Contention
One notable aspect of contention surrounding HB1539 could involve debates regarding the implications for nutritional standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Questions may arise about the types of milk substitutes that would be acceptable and whether they align with existing dietary guidelines. Furthermore, the requirement for schools to furnish these substitutes without a formal notice of need may lead to discussions about costs and resource allocation in school districts, especially in underfunded areas.
Same As
To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require schools to provide fluid milk substitutes upon request of a student or the parent or guardian of such student, and for other purposes.
US SB2943
Related
Addressing Digestive Distress in Stomachs of Our Youth Act
To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require schools to provide fluid milk substitutes upon request of a student or the parent or guardian of such student, and for other purposes.
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1147) to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to allow schools that participate in the school lunch program under such Act to serve whole milk; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 357) to require the head of an agency to issue and sign any rule issued by that agency, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.
Protecting School Milk Choices Act of 2025This bill revises requirements for milk provided by the National School Lunch Program of the Department of Agriculture.Currently, schools participating in the program may provide flavored and unflavored fluid milk and lactose-free fluid milk.Under the bill, these schools must provide students flavored and unflavored fluid milk. These schools maintain the discretion to offer lactose-free fluid milk.
Parents Bill of Rights Act This bill establishes various rights of parents and guardians regarding the elementary or secondary school education of their children. Local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools must comply with the requirements of the bill in order to receive federal education funds. Specifically, the bill requires schools to notify parents and guardians of their rights regarding the education of their children. These rights include the right to review the curriculum of their child's school; know if the state alters its challenging academic standards; meet with each teacher of their child at least twice each school year; review the budget, including all revenues and expenditures, of their child's school; review a list of the books and other reading materials in the library of their child's school; address the school board of the LEA; receive information about violent activity in their child's school; and receive information about any plans to eliminate gifted and talented programs in the child's school. Additionally, the bill directs each LEA to post on a publicly accessible website (or otherwise widely disseminate to the public) the curriculum for each elementary and secondary school grade level. The LEA must also include in its annual report card the overall budget of the LEA and the budget for each elementary and secondary school. The bill also provides for additional family educational and privacy rights, including by prohibiting schools from selling student information for commercial or financial gain.