SB0457 Summary

• State Board of Education shall establish one or more statewide master contracts with vendors for prepackaged meals including halal and kosher options to be offered to school districts at no more than the federal free reimbursement rate.

• School districts must adopt procedures for ordering, preparing, and serving prepackaged religious dietary food options and have 60 days after contract notification to begin purchasing from contracted vendors.

• All meal options must meet federal nutritional standards under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and require no special kitchen equipment, storage equipment, or specialized staff certifications.

• Vendors offering halal or kosher products must certify compliance with the Halal Food Act and Kosher Food Act respectively, with penalties for false representation.

• University of Illinois Hospital and Department of Corrections facilities must offer religious dietary food options upon reasonable notice in compliance with federal and state nutritional guidelines.