Permits students at public institutions of higher education to donate unused meal plan funds to emergency meal fund for distribution to New Jersey food banks.
Impact
The enactment of S2470 has significant implications for state laws concerning food security and student assistance programs within higher education. It establishes a formal process whereby unused meal plan funds can be redirected to combat food insecurity, thereby fostering a culture of giving and community support among students. Public institutions are mandated to develop policies for verifying and transferring these unused funds, thereby ensuring accountability and transparency in the donation process. This initiative could potentially increase the resources available to food banks, thereby addressing hunger in local communities more effectively.
Summary
Senate Bill S2470, introduced in New Jersey, facilitates a new way for students at public institutions of higher education to contribute to local food assistance efforts. The bill permits students to voluntarily donate any unused funds remaining in their meal plans at the end of a semester to the newly established New Jersey Emergency Meal Fund. This fund is intended to aid the New Jersey Federation of Food Banks in providing food to those in need across the state. By allowing for direct financial contributions to support food banks, the bill aims to enhance food security for vulnerable populations within New Jersey.
Contention
While S2470 promotes charitable contributions towards food banks, it may also raise concerns regarding the adequacy of support for students who may rely on meal plans for their daily nutrition. Some critics could question whether this bill might inadvertently diminish the intended purpose of meal plans. If students are incentivized to donate their leftover funds, there may be fewer resources left for themselves, leading to unintentional consequences on student wellbeing. The balance between supporting food banks and meeting the nutritional needs of students thus becomes a key point of discussion surrounding the bill.
Same As
Permits students at public institutions of higher education to donate unused meal plan funds to emergency meal fund for distribution to New Jersey food banks.
Permits students at public institutions of higher education to donate unused meal plan funds to emergency meal fund for distribution to New Jersey food banks.
Permits students at public institutions of higher education to donate unused meal plan funds to emergency meal fund for distribution to New Jersey food banks.
Permits students at public institutions of higher education to donate unused meal plan funds to emergency meal fund for distribution to New Jersey food banks.
Requires institution of higher education to provide refund or credit to students for unused on-campus student housing and meal plans due to COVID-19 public health emergency.
Relating to health benefit plans for students at institutions of higher education and the operation of certain health benefit plans through student health centers at certain institutions of higher education.
Revises calculation of student financial need and provides circumstances for reduction of financial aid at institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions.
Revises calculation of student financial need and provides circumstances for reduction of financial aid at institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions.
Revises calculation of student financial need and provides circumstances for reduction of financial aid at institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions.
Removes expected family contribution from calculation of financial need under circumstances in which public institutions of higher education may reduce student's institutional financial aid.