SECTION 1. Findings. The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:
(1) Globally, diet-related chronic diseases are the leading cause of death;
(2) In 2024, almost forty percent (40%) of Rhode Island households with children were food insecure;
(3) Student hunger is associated with poor learning outcomes, absenteeism, and behavioral issues;
(4) Healthy school meals are associated with improved test scores;
(5) Many children consume one-third (1/3) to one-half (1/2) of their daily calories during the school day;
(6) The 2012 nutrition standards for school meals (Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, 77 Fed. Reg. 4088 [Jan. 26, 2012]) and 2016 nutrition standards for competitive foods (National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program - Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in School as Required by the Healthy, Hunger- Free Kids Act of 2010, 81 Feb. Reg. 50131 [July 29, 2016]) promulgated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture were estimated to save up to seven hundred ninety-two million dollars ($792,000,000) in healthcare related costs over ten (10) years, prevent more than two million (2,000,000) cases of childhood obesity, and reduce the risk of obesity by half among low-income students over five (5) years;
(7) It is in the best interests of the people of the state to provide that all students have access to a healthy and nutritious school breakfast and lunch during the school day.
SECTION 2. Chapter 16-8 of the General Laws entitled "Federal Aid [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 16-8-16. “Healthy school meals for all” -- School breakfast and lunch programs.
(a) The healthy school meals for all program shall be phased in over three (3) years. Beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, all public elementary schools shall be required to make breakfasts and lunches available to elementary students attending those schools. Beginning in the 2028-2029 school year, all public elementary and secondary schools shall be required to make breakfast and lunches available to elementary and middle school through grade eight (8) for students attending those schools. Beginning in the 2029-2030 school year, all public elementary and secondary schools shall be required to make breakfasts and lunches available to elementary, middle and high school students attending those schools in accordance with rules and regulations as set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture and adopted by the department of elementary and secondary education pursuant to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section.
(1) Schools that participate in the School Breakfast Program authorized under § 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. § 1773) and National School Lunch Program authorized under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. § 1751 et seq.) shall provide breakfast and lunch without charge to all enrolled, attending students, every school day.
(b) In operating its school breakfast and lunch program pursuant to this section, each public educational entity shall seek to achieve the highest level of student participation, which may include any or all of the following:
(1) Providing breakfast meals that can be picked up by students for consumption outside the cafeteria;
(2) Making breakfast available to students in the classroom after the start of the school day;
(3) Collaborating with the entity’s health and wellness subcommittee, as established under § 16-21-28, in planning school meals; and
(4) Providing lunch periods of no less than twenty (20) minutes for students to be seated and consume their lunch.
(c) In operating its school breakfast and lunch program, each public educational entity shall seek to maximize access to federal funds for the cost of the school breakfast and lunch program by participating in one of the following options:
(1) National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, Provision 2 Guidance as promulgated by United State Department of Agriculture (USDA);
(2) The Community Eligibility Provision (hereinafter referred to in this section as "CEP") promulgated by the USDA; or
(3) Any other federal provision that, in the opinion of the department of elementary and secondary education, draws down the most possible federal funding for meals served in that program, including the active dissemination and collection of meal benefit applications, as applicable.
(d) In operating its school breakfast and lunch program, each public educational entity shall seek to improve meal quality by:
(1) Complying with all state-specific nutrition requirements related to meals and snacks served as part of the school day;
(2) Purchasing, to the maximum extent possible, locally grown/produced food items, as defined by the department of elementary and secondary education;
(3) Freshly preparing scratch-cooked foods; and
(4) Providing culturally relevant meals and engaging student and family voices in menu development.
(e) No less frequently than quarterly, each public educational entity shall report to the department of elementary and secondary education data related to the purchasing of locally grown/produced food items as referenced in this section and used in the operation of its school breakfast and lunch program. Specific reporting requirements, including data points and format, shall be determined and communicated by the department annually.
(f) The department of elementary and secondary education shall reimburse the public educational entities described in and operating in accordance with the provisions and requirements of this section, the difference between:
(1) The federal free reimbursement rate established annually by the United States Department of Agriculture for school breakfast and for school lunch; and
(2) The federal reimbursement rate received for each school breakfast and school lunch served.
(g) The department of elementary and secondary education shall adopt rules and regulations necessary for making reimbursements pursuant to this section.
(h) For each fiscal year, the general assembly shall make an appropriation by separate line item in the budget to allow school food authorities to provide breakfasts and lunches at no charge for children in state-subsidized early childhood education programs administered by public educational entities or in kindergarten through grade twelve (k-12), participating in the school lunch or breakfast program who would otherwise be required to pay for meals under these programs. The appropriation to the department of elementary and secondary education shall be considered entitlement dollars and shall be adjusted as necessary to meet the needs of the program on an on- going basis, without disruption.
(i) In addition to the funding required to reimburse public educational entities as described in this section, each fiscal year the general assembly shall make an appropriation by separate line item in the budget to support the cost of one full-time equivalent employee at the department of elementary and secondary education to aid in the administration and implementation of this program.
(j) For the first year of implementation, schools designated as eligible for the CEP in Kindergarten through grade five (K-5) are authorized to participate in the CEP program. However, schools that serve additional grades including, but not limited to, grades kindergarten through grade eight (K-8), or grades five (5) and six (6), shall have the option to voluntarily elect to participate in the CEP program.
(k) In instances where a school has grades beyond the specified eligible range, such as grades six (6) through eight (8) in the case of a kindergarten through grade eight (K-8) schools, or grade six (6) in the case of a grade five (5) and grade (6) school, the state shall cover the cost of providing CEP benefits to the non-eligible grades in the first year of implementation, ensuring that grade six through eight (6-8) in a kindergarten through grade eight (K-8) school or grade (6) in a grade five and six (5-6) school are eligible for coverage at no cost to the school or district.
(l) All local education agencies (“LEAs”) and eligible schools are hereby required to participate in the federal CEP program if they meet the criteria for eligibility, as defined by federal law. The state shall provide the necessary funding to cover the LEA's share of the program costs to ensure full participation.
(m) LEAs and schools that meet the eligibility requirements shall participate fully in the CEP, and it is the responsibility of the LEA to maximize the use of available federal funds under the CEP. Failure to participate in the CEP program without a valid exemption will result in the forfeiture of state funding intended to support CEP-related costs.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2027.
