MN HF5

Schools participating in the national school lunch program must adopt written policies prohibiting lunch shaming, ensuring meals are not withdrawn after being served, and guaranteeing free meals for eligible students regardless of outstanding debt balances.

Creates a free school meals program requiring participating schools to provide up to two federally reimbursable meals per day (one breakfast and one lunch) at no cost to all students, with state funding covering the difference between federal reimbursement rates and actual costs.

State aid for school lunch increased to 12.5 cents per paid/free lunch and 52.5 cents per reduced-price lunch, or alternative amounts under the free meals program; school breakfast aid set at 30 cents per reduced-price breakfast and 55 cents per paid breakfast.

Appropriates $190.9 million for fiscal year 2024 and $197.9 million for fiscal year 2025 for school lunch aid, plus $25.7 million and $26.5 million respectively for school breakfast aid, with additional funds for administrative implementation costs.

Prohibits schools from denying meals, limiting student activities, or imposing restrictions on students with unpaid meal balances; violations trigger compliance letters from the Department of Education requiring remedy within 60 days.