NC H844

Requires local boards of education to offer breakfast and lunch at no cost to all public school students through a designated school food authority.

Directs the State Board of Education to allocate funds to school food authorities based on the difference between what schools would receive if all students qualified for federal free meals versus actual federal funds received for free or reduced-price meals.

Extends the free meal requirement to charter schools, regional schools, schools governed under specific articles, and laboratory schools.

Appropriates $172,000,000 in recurring funds from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2023-2024 fiscal year to implement the program, with authority to use State Aid for Public Schools if insufficient.

Becomes effective July 1, 2023, with the State Board of Education authorized to adopt temporary rules pending permanent rule adoption.