Rhode Island 2023 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H5141 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version Filed 01/18/2023

                             
 
 
 
2023 -- H 5141 
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LC000652 
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D 
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY 
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023 
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A N   A C T 
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FEDERAL AID 
Introduced By: Representatives Caldwell, Potter, Carson, Spears, Speakman, Donovan, 
Fogarty, Ajello, Kazarian, and Biah 
Date Introduced: January 18, 2023 
Referred To: House Education 
 
 
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 
SECTION 1. Section 16-8-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-8 entitled "Federal Aid 1 
[See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended to read 2 
as follows: 3 
16-8-10. Mandatory school lunch programs. 4 
All public elementary and secondary schools shall be required to make type A lunches 5 
available to students attending those schools in accordance with rules and regulations adopted from 6 
time to time by the department of elementary and secondary education. To the extent that federal, 7 
state, and other funds are available, free and reduced price type A lunches shall be provided to all 8 
students from families that meet the current specific criteria established by federal and state 9 
regulations. The requirement that type A lunches be provided shall apply to locally managed school 10 
lunch programs, and school lunch programs administered directly by the department of elementary 11 
and secondary education or by any other public agency whether using school facilities or a 12 
commercial catering service. The department of elementary and secondary education is further 13 
authorized to expand the school lunch program to the extent that federal, state, and/or local funds 14 
are available by the utilization of one or more food preparation centers for delivery to participating 15 
schools for the purpose of providing meals to students on a more economical basis than could be 16 
provided by a community acting individually. 17   
 
 
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 1 
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EXPLANATION 
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 
OF 
A N   A C T 
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FEDERAL AID 
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This act would require free lunches to be provided for all elementary and secondary 1 
students attending public schools, to the extent state and federal funds are available. 2 
This act would take effect upon passage. 3 
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LC000652 
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