Requires certain school meal information be provided to public school students' parents and requires school districts to request that families apply for school meals under certain circumstances.
Impact
The bill modifies existing legislation by mandating school districts to take proactive measures in communicating meal program information to families. In particular, it requires districts to ensure that applications for meal assistance programs are provided in a language comprehensible to parents or guardians. If a parent does not apply or return a signed card indicating non-interest, the school district must reach out to them to encourage participation. This is designed to increase enrollment in these important nutritional programs intended for children from low-income households.
Summary
Bill A5164 requires public school districts in New Jersey to provide specific information to parents about the National School Lunch Program and the federal School Breakfast Program. The bill mandates that, at the beginning of each school year and upon initial enrollment, parents or guardians must receive information regarding program eligibility, application processes, and rights. This is intended to facilitate access to school meals for eligible students, ensuring that families are fully informed about available resources.
Sentiment
The sentiment around Bill A5164 is largely positive among its supporters, who believe that it will enhance food security for students and facilitate better communication between schools and families. By mandating parental engagement, proponents argue that the bill champions child welfare and supports families in need. However, there may be concerns regarding the implementation of these requirements and whether schools have adequate resources to follow through effectively.
Contention
While it appears that broad support exists for enhancing access to school meal programs, some points of contention may arise concerning the feasibility of compliance and the administrative burden it may place on schools. Critics might question the capacity of schools to engage with all families adequately while managing existing educational responsibilities, and whether the added responsibilities could require additional funding or staff training.
Same As
Requires certain school meal information be provided to public school students' parents and requires school districts to request that families apply for school meals under certain circumstances.
Requires certain school meal information be provided to public school students' parents and requires school districts to request that families apply for school meals under certain circumstances.
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.
Requires school districts to take certain actions in circumstances when school meal bill is in arrears; prohibits shaming students with school meal bills in arrears; prohibits certain district actions in collecting unpaid school meal fees.
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 schools to provide free school breakfasts and lunches to students from working class, middle-income families; designated as "Working Class Families' Anti-Hunger Act."
Requires school districts to take certain actions in circumstances when school meal bill is in arrears; prohibits shaming students with school meal bills in arrears; prohibits certain district actions in collecting unpaid school meal fees.
Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to offer no-fee option to parents for making school lunch and other payments; requires payment processing platforms used by certain schools to provide users with information on user fees.
Requires schools to universally provide free meals to all students, regardless of whether students are federally eligible for free or reduced price meals.
Requires certain school meal information be provided to public school students' parents and requires school districts to request that families apply for school meals under certain circumstances.
Requires school districts take certain actions to increase participation in free or reduced priced meal programs; prohibits shaming students with school meal bills in arrears; prohibits certain district actions in collecting unpaid school meal fees.
Requires school districts take certain actions to increase participation in free or reduced priced meal programs; prohibits shaming students with school meal bills in arrears; prohibits certain district actions in collecting unpaid school meal fees.
Requires schools to universally provide free meals to all students, regardless of whether students are federally eligible for free or reduced price meals.
Requires public and nonpublic schools with lunch programs to provide free lunch to increasing numbers of income-eligible students and, after five-year phase-in, to provide free lunch to all students, regardless of income or federal eligibility.
Requires schools and nonpublic schools with lunch programs to provide free lunch to increasing numbers of income-eligible students and, after five-year phase-in, to provide free lunch to all students, regardless of income or federal eligibility.
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.