S.B. No. 168 - Hunger-Free Students' Bill of Rights Act

• Requires school districts and participating chartered nonpublic schools to provide free printed meal applications in enrollment packets or explain electronic application processes in multiple languages that parents can understand.

• Mandates schools automatically complete and file meal applications for students identified as eligible for free or reduced-price meals under federal law.

• Requires schools to provide reimbursable meals to any student who requests one regardless of ability to pay, prohibits discarding served meals due to inability to pay, and forbids public identification or stigmatization of students with meal debt.

• Establishes protocols for students owing equivalent of five or more meals: schools must check eligibility lists, make at least two contact attempts to parents, and have administrators offer application assistance and investigate household issues.

• Directs homeless education liaisons to coordinate with nutrition departments to ensure homeless students receive free school meals and are monitored under district policies.