HI SR163

Urges the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to prioritize hiring dedicated staff at each school campus to manage federal school meal programs, including the National School Lunch Program.

Requests the Department of Education seek federal funding from sources including the United States Department of Agriculture to hire dedicated staff for managing federal meal programs at public schools.

Requires the Department of Education to submit a report with findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023.

Identifies rural schools and those on neighbor islands as facing particular challenges in administering federal meal programs due to staffing shortages and physical distance, citing Kahakai Elementary School, Kealakehe Intermediate School, and Konawaena High School in Hawai'i County as examples.

Notes that federal rules disallowing or limiting volunteer use have compounded staffing and logistical challenges for schools lacking dedicated personnel to manage federal school meal programs.