MN SF4401

Requires Minnesota school lunch program participants to adopt and post written school meal policies that prohibit lunch shaming, address debt collection practices, and ensure meals are served respectfully.

Prohibits schools from withdrawing meals after serving them to students or denying meals to eligible free/reduced-price lunch students due to outstanding debt, and restricts use of collection agencies.

Establishes state aid payments of 12.5 cents per full-price/free meal and 52.5 cents per reduced-price meal, plus additional aid for students with family income between 185-200 percent of federal poverty level (effective fiscal year 2021).

Prohibits schools from limiting student participation in activities, field trips, athletics, graduation ceremonies, or accessing materials/technology due to unpaid meal debt.

Appropriates funds for school districts to purchase and maintain automated meal payment and communication systems and requires staff training on meal debt collection policies.