Photo: Curtsey of Terry MacCormack
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) – Governor Charlie Baker was joined by lawmakers Monday to participate in a ceremonial bill signing for a multi-faceted student nutrition act.
An Act Promoting Student Nutrition increases students’ access to free school meals and prohibits schools from using any punitive measures against students with meal debt.
Under the legislation, every school district must implement universal free breakfast and lunch for all students if a majority of the population meets low-income criteria.
“This legislation is another way we can ensure all children in the Commonwealth have access to healthy meals when they are in school,” Baker said. “We are thankful to our partners in the Legislature for their leadership on this important issue.”
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Under the bill, school districts that participate in the National School Lunch Program are required to maximize federal revenue resources and savings for families. Children can also qualify for free or reduced-priced meals for up to four consecutive years.
“This bill will end the undue burden on students whose families have school meal debt by preventing children from being involved,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “No child should be involved in debt collection or made to feel uncomfortable when they go to eat lunch at school.”
The bill also prohibits school employees from publicly identifying a student with meal debt, denying meals, disposing a student’s meal, or serving an alternative meal because of the student’s debt.
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