Texas House Bill HB2954

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to school district grace period policies and the provision of meals to public school students with insufficient balances on prepaid meal cards or in meal accounts.

Summary

House Bill 2954 introduces amendments to Section 33.908 of the Texas Education Code, focusing on grace period policies for school districts relating to meal card balances. The bill mandates that students whose prepaid meal cards or accounts run insufficient should be allowed to continue purchasing meals for a specified grace period of at least two weeks without immediate payment. This change aims to reduce the impact on students from sudden interruptions in their meal services due to financial issues, aligning with broader efforts to ensure student access to nutrition regardless of their family's economic situation. Key provisions of the bill require school districts to adopt policies that ensure students are not publicly identified for having insufficient funds on their accounts and must receive private notifications to parents regarding negative balances. Additionally, schools are obligated to assist families in applying for free or reduced-price meals if they determine eligibility. This initiative seeks to alleviate the stigma often associated with debt regarding school meal programs and to ensure that students receive meals without embarrassment. The bill articulates the necessity for districts to implement various supportive measures, including attempting to contact parents multiple times during the grace period via phone or email to arrange for payment or assist with application processes. Furthermore, it prohibits the charging of additional fees or interest for meals consumed during the grace period, highlighting a commitment to making school meals financially accessible. If passed and enacted, HB 2954 will impact school districts across Texas by fundamentally altering how they manage meal accounts for students, potentially leading to adjustments in budgeting and administration of school meal programs. Notably, the bill applies starting with the 2019-2020 school year, impacting state education policies directly related to student nutrition access and overall welfare.