SB308
To Create A Means By Which Students Who Qualify For Reduced-price Meals At School Receive Free Meals At School.
Last Action (May 1, 2023): Sine Die adjournment
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AI-Generated Summary
Senate Bill 308 mandates that Arkansas public schools provide free school breakfasts and lunches to students who would otherwise qualify for reduced-price meals. The bill requires the Department of Education to use federal child nutrition funds to cover these costs. If federal funds are insufficient, the department is authorized to use funds from the Public School Fund Account to ensure no student is charged a copayment. Additionally, the bill mandates an annual report to the House and Senate Education Committees regarding the status of child nutrition programs, including application data and eligibility statistics. Finally, it requires the Arkansas Legislative Audit to conduct a one-time audit of the Department of Education’s Child Nutrition Unit by December 15, 2023, to assess compliance and efficacy in expanding meal access.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries are K-12 students in Arkansas public schools who currently qualify for reduced-price school meals, as this legislation eliminates their copayment requirements. Their families also benefit from the reduced financial burden associated with school meal costs.
Who Might Suffer?
The primary entity negatively impacted is the Public School Fund Account, which may see a reduction in available resources if federal funds are insufficient to cover the costs of eliminating reduced-price copayments. Additionally, the Arkansas Department of Education faces increased administrative, reporting, and oversight obligations as a result of this bill.
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