Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas House Bill HB3963

Caption

Relating to the donation and distribution of food at public schools.

Impact

The passing of HB3963 is expected to have a significant impact on the existing state laws regarding food safety and distribution. By allowing schools to directly donate food, the bill encourages schools to engage with their communities more actively and potentially increases the amount of food aid available to families in need. Furthermore, the bill ensures that food donors and recipients adhere to health and safety standards, thereby promoting safe food practices and reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses amongst participants in the food donation process.

Summary

House Bill 3963 focuses on the donation and distribution of surplus food at public schools in Texas. It amends the Education Code to allow school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to donate food that is prepared for school meals to nonprofit organizations. The bill specifies that food donations can include surplus food from breakfast, lunch, snacks, or dinner services and can also include items collected from food drives. This approach aims to reduce food waste while providing assistance to local nonprofit organizations, which can then distribute the food to those in need.

Contention

While the bill presents an innovative solution to food waste in schools, there may be points of contention regarding food safety regulations and the responsibilities of school personnel participating in food donations. Critics might raise concerns about the implications on local health codes or the adequacy of training for volunteers involved in distributing food. Furthermore, there may be discussions about the fairness in access to food donations among different schools and how the program will be managed across various districts to ensure equity and effectiveness.

Companion Bills

TX SB1645

Similar To Relating to the donation and distribution of food at public schools.

Previously Filed As

TX HB242

Relating to liability for the donation and distribution of feminine hygiene products.

TX HB5266

Relating to speech protections for student media publications in public schools.

TX HB4058

Relating to the use of opioid antagonists on the campuses of public and private schools and institutions of higher education and at or in transit to or from off-campus school events.

TX HB1

Relating to primary and secondary education, including the certification, compensation, and health coverage of certain public school employees, the public school finance system, special education in public schools, the establishment of an education savings account program, measures to support the education of public school students that include certain educational grant programs, reading instruction, and early childhood education, the provision of virtual education, and public school accountability.

TX SB829

Relating to cottage food production operations.

TX HB1

Relating to primary and secondary education, including the certification, compensation, and health coverage of certain public school employees, the public school finance system, special education in public schools, the establishment of an education savings account program, measures to support the education of public school students that include certain educational grant programs, reading instruction, and early childhood education, the provision of virtual education, and public school accountability.

TX HB100

Relating to public education and public school finance, including the rights, certification, and compensation of public school educators, contributions by a public school to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, and an education savings account program for certain children.

TX HB2411

Relating to the maintenance, administration, and disposal of opioid antagonists on public and private school campuses and to the permissible uses of money appropriated to a state agency from the opioid abatement account.

TX SB629

Relating to the maintenance, administration, and disposal of opioid antagonists on public and private school campuses and to the permissible uses of money appropriated to a state agency from the opioid abatement account.

TX SB9

Relating to the rights and certification of public school educators, including financial and other assistance and waivers provided to public schools by the Texas Education Agency related to public school educators, methods of instruction provided in public schools, and certain allotments under the Foundation School Program.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.