NJ
New Jersey Senate Bill S1508

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S1508

Introduced
2/10/22  

Caption

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

Impact

The implementation of S1508 is expected to significantly change the landscape of school meal programs, removing barriers that typically prevent some students from receiving necessary nutrition during school hours. The bill includes provisions requiring the state to reimburse school districts for the costs incurred in providing these meals to students who would not ordinarily qualify for free or reduced price meals. By ensuring funding is allocated, the legislation seeks to avoid placing financial burdens on school districts while still meeting the nutritional needs of students.

Summary

Bill S1508 mandates that all schools in the state provide free breakfast and lunch to all enrolled students, without regard to their eligibility for federal free or reduced price meals. This legislation aims to ensure that every student has access to nutritious meals, promoting better health and learning outcomes. Under current state law, only certain schools are required to provide these meals based on student eligibility percentages. This bill eliminates those thresholds, expanding access to free meals across all schools, thus addressing food insecurity more broadly in the state.

Contention

While the bill has strong support for its goal of reducing food insecurity among students, it may face opposition regarding the financial implications for the state budget and potential challenges related to implementation logistics. Critics may express concerns about the sustainability of the reimbursement model and how it will affect local school funding. Additionally, stakeholders could debate the efficacy of universal meal programs versus targeted approaches that offer assistance based on need. The discussions surrounding these points are crucial as stakeholders assess the overall impact of the bill on both state resources and student well-being.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 S3956

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.

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.

NJ A3123

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.

NJ S1226

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

NJ S1343

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 S4055

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.

NJ A5684

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.

Similar Bills

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 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 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 S3956

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.

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.

NJ A3123

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.

NJ A5684

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.