May 11, 2026
Mr. Gottheimer (for himself, Mr. Soto, and Ms. Pettersen) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to make breakfasts and lunches free for all children, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title; table of contents
(a) Short title
This Act may be cited as the Feed Our Kids Act of 2026
.
(b) Table of contents
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 2. Effective date
Unless otherwise provided, this Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall take effect 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
Title I School Breakfast Program
Sec. 101. Free school breakfast program
(a) In general
Section 4(a) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773(a)) is amended, in the first sentence—
(1)
by striking is hereby
and inserting are
; and
(2)
by inserting to provide free breakfast to all children enrolled at those schools
before in accordance
.
(b) Apportionment to States
Section 4(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773(b)) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (1)—
(A)
in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking subclause (II) and inserting the following:
(II)
the national average payment for free breakfasts, as specified in subparagraph (B).;
(B)
by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
(B) Payment amounts
(i) In general
The national average payment for each free breakfast shall be $2.80, adjusted annually for inflation in accordance with clause (ii) and rounded in accordance with clause (iii).
(ii) Inflation adjustment
(I) In general
The annual inflation adjustment under clause (i) shall reflect changes in the cost of operating the free breakfast program under this section, as indicated by the change in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for all urban consumers.
(II) Basis
Each inflation annual adjustment under clause (i) shall reflect the changes in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for the most recent 12-month period for which that data is available.
(iii) Rounding
On July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the national average payment rate for free breakfast shall be—
(I)
adjusted to the nearest lower-cent increment; and
(II)
based on the unrounded amounts for the preceding 12-month period.;
(C)
by striking subparagraphs (C) and (E); and
(D)
by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (C);
(2)
by striking paragraphs (2) and (3);
(3)
by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and
(4)
in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by striking paragraph (3) or (4)
and inserting paragraph (2)
.
(c) State disbursement to schools
Section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) is amended by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
(c) State disbursement to schools
Funds apportioned and paid to any State for the purpose of this section shall be disbursed by the State educational agency to schools selected by the State educational agency to assist those schools in operating a breakfast program.
(d) No collection of debt
(1) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.) or any other provision of law, effective beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, as a condition of participation in the breakfast program under section 4 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1773), a school—
(A)
shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal charges; and
(B)
shall continue to accrue debt for unpaid meal charges—
(i)
for the purpose of receiving reimbursement under section 211; and
(ii)
until the effective date specified in section 2.
(2) Child Nutrition Act of 1966
(A) In general
Section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) is amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
(d) No collection of debt
A school participating in the free breakfast program under this section shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal charges.
(B) Conforming amendment
Section 23(a) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1793(a)) is amended by striking school in severe need, as described in section 4(d)(1)
and inserting the following:
school—
(1)
that has a free breakfast program under section 4 or seeks to initiate a free breakfast program under that section; and
(2)
of which not less than 40 percent of the students are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)))
(e) Nutritional and other program requirements
Section 4(e) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773(e)) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (1)(A), in the second sentence, by striking free or
and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting free to all children enrolled at a school participating in the school breakfast program.
; and
(2)
in paragraph (2), in the second sentence, by striking the full charge to the student for a breakfast meeting the requirements of this section or
.
(f) Prohibition on breakfast shaming, meal denial
(1) In general
Effective beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, a school or school food authority—
(A)
shall not—
(i)
physically segregate for the purpose of debt shaming or otherwise discriminate against any child participating in the breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773); or
(ii)
overtly identify a child described in clause (i) by a special token or ticket, an announced or published list of names, or any other means; and
(B)
shall provide the program meal to any child eligible under the program.
(2) Child Nutrition Act of 1966
Section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(f) Prohibition on breakfast shaming
A school or school food authority shall not—
(1)
physically segregate for the purpose of debt shaming or otherwise discriminate against any child participating in the free breakfast program under this section; or
(2)
overtly identify a child described in paragraph (1) by a special token or ticket, an announced or published list of names, or any other means.
(g) Department of Defense Overseas Dependents' Schools
Section 20(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1789(b)) is amended by striking by this section
and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting by this section.
.
(h) Conforming amendments
The Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.) is amended—
(1)
by striking or reduced price
each place it appears;
(2)
by striking and reduced price
each place it appears; and
(3)
by striking a reduced price
each place it appears.
Title II School Lunch Program
Sec. 201. Apportionment to States
Section 4(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1753(b)) is amended—
(1)
by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
(2) Payment amounts
(A) In general
The national average payment for each free lunch shall be $4.63, adjusted annually for inflation in accordance with subparagraph (C) and rounded in accordance with subparagraph (D).
(B) Additional payment for local food
(i) Definition of locally-sourced farm product
In this subparagraph, the term locally-sourced farm product means a farm product that—
(I)
is marketed to consumers—
(aa)
directly; or
(bb)
through intermediated channels (such as food hubs and cooperatives); and
(II)
with respect to the school food authority purchasing the farm product, is produced and distributed—
(aa)
in the State in which the school food authority is located; or
(bb)
not more than 250 miles from the location of the school food authority.
(ii) Additional payment eligibility
During a school year, a school food authority shall receive an additional payment described in clause (iii) if the State certifies that the school food authority served meals (including breakfasts, lunches, suppers, and supplements) during the last school year of which not less than 25 percent were made with locally sourced farm products.
(iii) Payment amount
(I) In general
The additional payment amount under this subparagraph shall be—
(aa)
$0.30 for each free lunch and supper;
(bb)
$0.21 for each free breakfast; and
(cc)
$0.08 for each free supplement.
(II) Adjustments
Each additional payment amount under subclause (I) shall be adjusted annually in accordance with subparagraph (C) and rounded in accordance with subparagraph (D).
(iv) Disbursement
The State agency shall disburse funds made available under this clause to school food authorities eligible to receive additional reimbursement.
(C) Inflation adjustment
(i) In general
The annual inflation adjustment under subparagraphs (A) and (B)(iii) shall reflect changes in the cost of operating the free lunch program under this Act, as indicated by the change in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for all urban consumers.
(ii) Basis
Each annual inflation adjustment under subparagraphs (A) and (B)(iii) shall reflect the changes in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for the most recent 12-month period for which that data is available.
(D) Rounding
On July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the national average payment rate for free lunch and the additional payment amount for free breakfast, lunch, supper, and supplement under subparagraph (B) shall be—
(i)
adjusted to the nearest lower-cent increment; and
(ii)
based on the unrounded amounts for the preceding 12-month period.; and
(2)
by striking paragraph (3).
Sec. 202. Nutritional and other program requirements
(a) Elimination of free lunch eligibility requirements
(1) In general
Section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758) is amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
(b) Eligibility
All children enrolled in a school that participates in the school lunch program under this Act shall be eligible to receive free lunch under this Act.
(2) Conforming amendments
(A)
Section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758) is amended—
(i)
in subsection (c), in the third sentence, by striking or at a reduced cost
; and
(ii)
in subsection (e), by striking , reduced price,
.
(B)
Section 28 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769i) is amended—
(i)
by striking subsection (b); and
(ii)
by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).
(C)
Section 17(d)(2)(A) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(d)(2)(A)) is amended—
(i)
by striking clause (i); and
(ii)
by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively.
(D)
Section 1902(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the following:
(7)
provide safeguards which restrict the use or disclosure of information concerning applicants and recipients to purposes directly connected with the administration of the plan;
(E)
Section 1154(a)(2)(A)(i) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking in accordance with section 9(b)(1) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(1))
.
(F)
Section 4301 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. 1758a) is repealed.
(b) No collection of debt
(1) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) or any other provision of law, effective beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, as a condition of participation in the school lunch program under that Act, a school—
(A)
shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal charges; and
(B)
shall continue to accrue debt for unpaid meal charges—
(i)
for the purpose of receiving reimbursement under section 211; and
(ii)
until the effective date specified in section 2.
(2) National School Lunch Act
Section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758) is amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
(d) No collection of debt
A school participating in the school lunch program under this Act shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal charges.
(c) Prohibition on lunch shaming
Section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(m) Prohibition on lunch shaming
A school participating in the school lunch program under this Act shall not—
(1)
physically segregate for the purpose of debt shaming or otherwise discriminate against any child participating in the school lunch program under this Act; or
(2)
overtly identify a child described in paragraph (1) by a special token or ticket, an announced or published list of names, or any other means.
Sec. 203. Special assistance program
(a) In general
Section 11 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1759a) is repealed.
(b) Conforming amendments
(1)
Section 6 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1755) is amended—
(A)
in subsection (a)(2), by striking sections 11 and 13
and inserting section 13
; and
(B)
in subsection (e)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking section 4, this section, and section 11
and inserting this section and section 4
.
(2)
Section 7(d) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1756(d)) is amended by striking or 11
.
(3)
Section 8(g) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1757(g)) is amended by striking and under section 11 of this Act
.
(4)
Section 12(f) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(f)) is amended by striking 11,
.
(5)
Section 7(a) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1766(a)) is amended—
(A)
in paragraph (1)(A), by striking 4, 11, and 17
and inserting 4 and 17
; and
(B)
in paragraph (2)(A), by striking sections 4 and 11
and inserting section 4
.
(6)
Section 1101(j)(3) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (7 U.S.C. 2011 note; Public Law 116–127) is amended—
(A)
by striking or served under section 11(a)(1) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(d), 1759(a)(1))
and inserting of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(d))
; and
(B)
by striking or reduced price
.
Sec. 204. Price for a paid lunch
Section 12 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (l)(4)—
(A)
by striking subparagraph (D); and
(B)
by redesignating subparagraphs (E) through (M) as subparagraphs (D) through (L), respectively;
(2)
by striking subsection (p); and
(3)
by redesignating subsections (q) and (r) as subsections (p) and (q), respectively.
Sec. 205. Summer food service program for children
Section 13 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1761) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a)—
(A)
in paragraph (1)(A)(i)—
(i)
in subclause (I), by striking have been determined eligible for free or reduced price school meals under this Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.)
and inserting are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)))
;
(ii)
in subclause (II), by striking are eligible for free or reduced price school meals under this Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.)
and inserting are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)))
;
(iii)
in subclause (III)(bb), by striking meet the income standards for free or reduced price school meals under this Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.)
and inserting are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)))
;
(iv)
in subclause (IV), by striking are eligible for free or reduced price school meals under this Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.)
and inserting are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)))
; and
(v)
in subclause (V), by striking are eligible for free or reduced price school meals under this Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.)
and inserting are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)))
;
(B)
in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following:
(C) Waiver
If the Secretary determines that a program requirement under this section limits the access of children to meals served under this section, the Secretary may waive that program requirement.
(D) Eligibility
All children shall be eligible to participate in the program under this section.;
(C)
in paragraph (5), by striking only for
and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting for meals served to all children.
; and
(D)
in paragraph (13)—
(i)
in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking eligible for a free or reduced price lunch under this Act or a free or reduced price breakfast under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773)
and inserting an economically disadvantaged student (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)))
; and
(ii)
in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking eligible for free or reduced price lunch under this Act or free or reduced price breakfast under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773)
and inserting economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)))
;
(2)
in subsection (b)(2), by striking may only serve
and all that follows through migrant children
;
(3)
by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
(c) Payments
(1) In general
Payments shall be made to service institutions for meals served—
(A)
during the months of May through September;
(B)
during school vacation at any time during an academic school year;
(C)
during a teacher in-service day; and
(D)
on days that school is closed due to a natural disaster, building repair, court order, or similar cause, as determined by the Secretary.
(2) Limitation on payments
A service institution shall receive payments under this section for not more than 3 meals and 1 supplement per child per day.; and
(4)
in subsection (f)(3), by striking , except that
and all that follows through section
.
Sec. 206. Child and adult care food program
Section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a)(2), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
(B)
any other private organization providing nonresidential child care or day care outside school hours for school children;;
(2)
by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
(c) Free meals
Notwithstanding any other provision of law—
(1)
all meals and supplements served under the program authorized under this section shall be provided for free to participants of the program; and
(2)
an institution that serves those meals and supplements shall be reimbursed—
(A)
in the case of breakfast, at the rate established for free breakfast under section 4(b)(1)(B)(i) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773(b)(1)(B)(i));
(B)
in the case of lunch, at the rate established for free lunch under section 4(b)(2)(A); and
(C)
in the case of a supplemental meal, $1.20, adjusted for inflation in accordance with section 4(b)(2)(C).;
(3)
in subsection (f)—
(A)
in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
(B) Limitation to reimbursements
An institution may claim reimbursement under this paragraph for not more than 3 meals and 1 supplement per day per child.;
(B)
by striking paragraph (3); and
(C)
by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (3);
(4)
in subsection (o)—
(A)
by striking paragraph (4); and
(B)
by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and
(5)
in subsection (r)—
(A)
in the subsection heading, by striking Program for at-risk school children
and inserting Afterschool meal and snack program
;
(B)
by striking at-risk school
each place it appears and inserting eligible
;
(C)
in paragraph (1)—
(i)
in the paragraph heading, by striking at-risk school
and inserting eligible
; and
(ii)
in subparagraph (B), by striking operated
and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting a period; and
(D)
in paragraph (4)(A), by striking only for
and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following:
for—
(i)
not more than 1 meal and 1 supplement per child per day served on a regular school day; and
(ii)
not more than 3 meals and 1 supplement per child per day served on any day other than a regular school day.
Sec. 207. Meals and supplements for children in afterschool care
(a) In general
Section 17A of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766a) is amended—
(1)
in the section heading, by striking Meal supplements
and inserting Meals and supplements
;
(2)
in subsection (a)(1), by striking meal supplements
and inserting free meals and supplements
;
(3)
in subsection (b), by inserting meals and
before supplements
;
(4)
by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
(c) Reimbursement
(1) In general
(A) Meals
A free meal provided under this section to a child shall be reimbursed at a rate of $4.63, adjusted annually for inflation in accordance with paragraph (3)(A) and rounded in accordance with paragraph (3)(B).
(B) Supplements
A free supplement provided under this section to a child shall be reimbursed at the rate at which free supplements are reimbursed under section 17(c)(2)(C).
(2) Limitation to reimbursements
An institution may claim reimbursement under this section for not more than 1 meal and 1 supplement per day per child served on a regular school day.
(3) Inflation; rounding
(A) Inflation adjustment
(i) In general
The annual inflation adjustment under paragraph (1)(A) shall reflect changes in the cost of operating the program under this section, as indicated by the change in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for all urban consumers.
(ii) Basis
Each inflation annual adjustment under paragraph (1)(A) shall reflect the changes in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for the most recent 12-month period for which that data is available.
(B) Rounding
On July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the reimbursement rate for a free meal under this section shall be—
(i)
adjusted to the nearest lower-cent increment; and
(ii)
based on the unrounded amounts for the preceding 12-month period.; and
(5)
by adding at the end the following:
(e) Prohibition on meal shaming
A school participating in the program under this section shall not—
(1)
physically segregate for the purpose of debt shaming or otherwise discriminate against any child participating in the program under this section; or
(2)
overtly identify a child described in paragraph (1) by a special token or ticket, an announced or published list of names, or any other means.
(b) No collection of debt
(1) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) or any other provision of law, effective beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, as a condition of participation in the program under section 17A of that Act, a school—
(A)
shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal supplement charges; and
(B)
shall continue to accrue debt for unpaid meal supplement charges—
(i)
for the purpose of receiving reimbursement under section 211; and
(ii)
until the effective date specified in section 2.
(2) National School Lunch Act
Section 17A of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766a) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(f) No collection of debt
A school participating in the program under this section shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal or meal supplement charges.
Sec. 208. Pilot projects
Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (g)(5), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
(B)
serve a high proportion of economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)));;
(2)
in subsection (h)(1)(A)(ii), by striking eligible for free or reduced price meals under this Act
and inserting economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)))
;
(3)
by striking subsection (j); and
(4)
by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (j).
Sec. 209. Fresh fruit and vegetable program
Section 19(d) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769a(d)) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (1)—
(A)
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking paragraph (2) of this subsection and
;
(B)
in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking school—
and all that follows through submits
in clause (ii) and inserting school that submits
;
(C)
in subparagraph (B), by striking schools
and all that follows through Act
and inserting high-need schools (as defined in section 2211(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6631(b)))
; and
(D)
in subparagraph (D)—
(i)
by striking clause (i); and
(ii)
by redesignating clauses (ii) through (iv) as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively; and
(2)
by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the following:
(2) Outreach to high-need schools
Prior to making decisions regarding school participation in the program, a State agency shall inform high-need schools (as defined in section 2211(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6631(b))), including Tribal schools, of the eligibility of the schools for the program.
Sec. 210. Training, technical assistance, and Food Service Management Institute
Section 21(a)(1)(B) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769b–1(a)(1)(B)) is amended in the matter preceding clause (i) by striking certified to receive free or reduced price meals
and inserting who are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)))
.
Sec. 211. Reimbursement of school meal delinquent debt program
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Delinquent debt
The term delinquent debt means the debt owed by a parent or guardian of a child to a school—
(A)
as of the effective date specified in section 2; and
(B)
for meals or meal supplements served by the school under—
(i)
the school breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773);
(ii)
the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.); or
(iii)
the program established under section 17A of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766a).
(2) Program
The term program means the program established under subsection (b)(1).
(3) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(b) Reimbursement program
(1) Establishment
Not later than 60 days after the effective date specified in section 2, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall reimburse each school participating in a program described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subsection (a)(1)(B) for all delinquent debt.
(2) Form for reimbursement
To carry out the program, the Secretary shall design and distribute a form to State agencies to collect data on all delinquent debt in applicable schools in the State, grouped by school food authority.
(3) Completion date
The Secretary shall provide all reimbursements under the program not later than 180 days after the effective date specified in section 2.
(c) Report
Not later than 2 years after the effective date specified in section 2, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress and make publicly available a report that describes the successes and challenges of the program.
Sec. 212. Conforming amendments
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) is amended—
(1)
by striking or reduced price
each place it appears;
(2)
by striking or a reduced price
each place it appears;
(3)
by striking and reduced price
each place it appears; and
(4)
by striking a reduced price
each place it appears.
Title III Report
Sec. 301. Report on free school meal programs
Not later than 1 year after the effective date of this Act, the Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service shall submit to Congress a report on how the school lunch program under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and the school breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) impact students who participate in such programs, including—
(1)
whether the amendments made by this Act to such programs have resulted in any measurable positive academic outcomes for such students, including any increase in test scores or graduation rates;
(2)
whether such programs increase student access to nutritional meals and locally sourced farm products (as such term is defined in section 4(b)(2)(B) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, as amended by this Act); and
(3)
any recommendations for additional legislative or administrative actions to increase the use of locally sourced farm products in meals provided under such programs.