MS HB1396

School districts with 25% or more of enrolled students receiving free lunch in the prior year must apply to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

CEP participation makes the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program free to all students at eligible schools regardless of reported family income.

School districts must submit identified student percentage (ISP) data to USDA by April 1 and completed CEP applications by June 30 of the year initial participation is requested.

School boards may group multiple elementary or secondary schools together when applying for CEP participation.

The State Superintendent for Public Education may issue a waiver if an evaluation determines that CEP participation is not financially viable for a school or group of schools.