WA SB5352

Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, all Washington public school districts must provide breakfast and lunch at no charge to any requesting student, regardless of income eligibility for federal meal programs

The state will reimburse school districts for meals not covered at the federal free rate, paying the difference between federal free and paid rates plus an additional $0.05 per meal

Schools with at least 40% identified students must participate in the USDA community eligibility provision, and districts must group schools to maximize eligibility

Learning assistance program funding allocations for schools providing free meals through 2029-30 will be based on the highest free/reduced-price meal eligibility percentage from 2019-20 through 2022-23 or the prior year

The act is contingent on specific funding being provided in the omnibus appropriations act by June 30, 2025, or it becomes null and void