Education: meals; free school lunch and breakfast program; modify. Amends sec. 30d of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1630d). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4870'25
Impact
By mandating that participating entities fully comply with national and state school meal standards, HB4871 ensures that all students receive lunch and breakfast at no cost, thereby enhancing access to nutritious food. The bill also encourages schools to use the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) where applicable, which allows schools with a high percentage of low-income students to serve free meals to all students. This could streamline administrative processes and reduce stigmas associated with free meals while maximizing available federal reimbursements for the schools.
Summary
House Bill 4871 proposes amendments to the State School Aid Act of 1979, specifically targeting provisions for the free school lunch and breakfast programs for public school students from pre-K through 12th grade. The bill allocates significant funding from the state school aid fund, including up to $100 million for the 2023-2024 school year and an increase to $200 million for 2024-2025. These funds are designated for local educational entities participating in national programs to provide free meals to students, thereby addressing food security in schools across the state.
Contention
Some points of contention around this legislation may arise from the financial commitment required from the state and its implications for budget allocations in other education-related programs. Critics may point out the challenge of enforcing dietary requirements and ensuring that participating entities effectively collect necessary student income data to justify federal funding levels. Additionally, the requirement to forgive school meal debts might raise concerns over fiscal responsibilities for school districts with limited budgets. Overall, while the bill aims to improve student health and accessibility to food, it could also spark debates on accountability and resource allocation.
Education: meals; free school lunch and breakfast program; create. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1271. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5042'23
Education: examinations; pilot programs for a state-administered assessment system; create. Amends secs. 11, 104, 104b & 104c of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1611 et seq.) & adds sec. 104d.
Appropriations: school aid; fiscal year 2024-2025 appropriations for K-12 school aid; provide for. Amends secs. 11 & 31aa of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1611 & 388.1631aa) & adds 97h.
Appropriations: school aid; fiscal year 2023-2024 appropriations for K-12 school aid; provide for. Amends secs. 11 & 17b of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1611 & 388.1617b).
Appropriations: school aid; appropriations in the school aid act for fiscal year 2024-2025; provide for. Amends secs. 11 & 17b of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1611 & 388.1617b).
Education: school districts; student mental health apprenticeship retention and training (SMART) internship grant program; modify. Amends sec. 3 of 2022 PA 180 (MCL 388.1953).
Education: examinations; references to M-STEP to include a state-administered assessment system under section 104d of the state school aid act of 1979; modify. Amends secs. 502, 503, 522, 552 & 1279g of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.502 et seq.).
Education: meals; free school lunch and breakfast program; create. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1271. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5042'23
Requires certain nonpublic schools to provide meals to all students under "Working Class Families Anti-Hunger Act"; authorizes limited expansion of income eligibility to qualify public and nonpublic school students for free lunch.
Requires certain nonpublic schools to provide meals to all students under "Working Class Families Anti-Hunger Act"; authorizes limited expansion of income eligibility to qualify public and nonpublic school students for free lunch.