PA HB180

Establishes the Universal School Meal Program requiring all Pennsylvania schools participating in federal lunch and breakfast programs to provide two free meals per school day to every enrolled student, regardless of household income, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

Creates the Universal School Meal Fund as a nonlapsing fund in the State Treasury to reimburse schools for the difference between federal free meal reimbursement rates and paid/reduced-price rates, with the Department of Education permitted to use up to 3.5% for administrative costs.

Prohibits schools from stigmatizing students with meal debt through practices including serving alternative meals, requiring wristbands or hand stamps, using collection agencies, applying interest or fees, filing legal or criminal charges, or reporting families to children and youth agencies.

Requires schools to provide meals to any student who requests one (unless a parent opts out in writing) and mandates that all communications about meal debt be directed to parents/guardians rather than students.

Repeals existing Section 1337.1(c.2) regarding school lunch and breakfast reimbursement and requires schools to maximize federal reimbursements by participating in the Community Eligibility Provision where eligible.