Senate Bill 1078 Summary

• Requires school districts and public school academies to maintain nutritional standards prescribed by the United States Department of Agriculture under section 9 of the National School Lunch Act.

• Prohibits schools from publicly identifying or stigmatizing pupils who cannot pay for meals through wristbands, handstamps, or other means.

• Prevents schools from requiring pupils with meal debt to perform chores or work to pay for meals, and prohibits collection agency fees passed to pupils or parents.

• Mandates schools must provide a reimbursable meal to any pupil who requests one regardless of ability to pay, unless parent or guardian provides written permission to withhold the meal.

• Requires written notification to parents or guardians within 7 days if a pupil's meal account reaches a negative balance, and permits schools to establish philanthropic funds to assist pupils with meal costs.

• Directs the Department of Education to establish an upper limit of at least 2 fund-raising activities per week during school hours for sales of non-nutritional food items.