NC H892

Appropriates $5,000,000 in recurring General Fund dollars to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2017-2018 fiscal year to provide free lunch to students eligible for reduced-price lunch in all school types.

Funds are allocated to local school administrative units based on monthly reimbursement claims that report the number of reduced-price meals served to students.

Prohibits schools from publicly identifying or stigmatizing students who cannot pay for meals or owe meal debt through methods such as wristbands or hand stamps.

Prohibits requiring students with meal debt to perform chores or work to pay for meals unless such chores or work are required of all students regardless of meal debt status.

Requires schools to direct all communications regarding student meal debt to parents or guardians rather than to students, effective July 1, 2017.