HI SB940

Establishes a three-year School Meals Option Pilot Program within the Department of Education to offer healthy meal options consisting of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, herbs and spices, and non-dairy beverages meeting USDA nutrition standards.

Requires at least one high school in each school complex area to provide the healthy meal option at least once every other week beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.

Increases frequency requirement to at least once per week at participating high schools for the 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 school years.

Allows participating schools to establish their own guidelines for nutritional standards, menu planning, and staffing requirements with Department of Education approval, and exempts them from standard meal count rules in staffing determinations.

Requires the Department of Education to submit progress reports to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2027, 2028, and 2029 regular sessions, including student feedback on acceptable and popular meal options.

Repeals on June 30, 2029.