NJ
New Jersey Senate Bill S1343

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S1343

Introduced
2/3/22  

Caption

Expands school breakfast program to all schools with five percent or more of students eligible for free or reduced price meals.

Impact

The bill mandates that each applicable school district submit a program plan to the Department of Agriculture for approval, helping ensure that the breakfast programs align with state and federal guidelines. It also outlines provisions for timely approvals, requiring that plans for implementation be submitted by specified deadlines. If a school district fails to submit the necessary plans, they will be required to adopt a model plan provided by the department, thus guaranteeing that no schools fall through the cracks when it comes to offering breakfast to students in need.

Summary

Senate Bill 1343 aims to expand the existing school breakfast program requirements in New Jersey to public schools where at least five percent of students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. The bill proposes that these schools must establish a school breakfast program, thereby empowering local school districts to provide for the nutritional needs of low-income students. Currently, laws only require a school breakfast program when 20 percent or more of students are eligible for such assistance. This legislation is geared towards increasing access to nutritious meals and effectively promotes better educational outcomes by combating food insecurity among students.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding S1343 may include the fiscal implications of additional funding requirements for the state to support these programs financially. Advocates for the bill argue that ensuring children start their day with a healthy meal can help improve attendance and academic performance. However, opponents may raise concerns about the allocation of state funds and whether the requirement to establish breakfast programs creates undue burdens on local school administrations that are already facing tight budgets.

Latest S1343 Activity

Companion Bills

NJ A3249

Same As Expands school breakfast program to all schools with five percent or more of students eligible for free or reduced price meals.

Similar Bills

NJ S1226

Expands school breakfast program to all schools with five percent or more of students eligible for free or reduced price meals.

NJ A3249

Expands school breakfast program to all schools with five percent or more of students eligible for free or reduced price meals.

NJ S1677

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."

NJ A2368

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."

NJ S1508

Requires schools to universally provide free meals to all students, regardless of whether students are federally eligible for free or reduced price meals.

NJ S1531

Requires schools to universally provide free meals to all students, regardless of whether students are federally eligible for free or reduced price meals.

NJ A4680

Requires schools to universally provide free meals to all students, regardless of whether students are federally eligible for free or reduced price meals.

NJ A5573

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.