Signed by Governor Jay Inslee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with senate amendments and pass a bill that expands Washington's free school lunch program.

Highlights:

• Alleges that the state legislature recognizes the importance of nutrition in proper intellectual, academic, and social development (Sec. 1). 

• Alleges the state legislature has previously acknowledged the harm that malnutrition has caused and has attempted to remedy this through myriad programs (Sec. 1). 

• Alleges that the programs have increased access to nutritious food (Sec. 1). 

• Alleges that the COVID-19 pandemic  has had a massive impact on the availability of nutritious food for many families and children (Sec. 1). 

• Alleges that schools are best prepared to help in providing adequate nutrition to children (Sec. 1). 

• Requires each school district to provide breakfast and lunch to any student that requests them free of charge and be of adequate nutritional value (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that this applies to the following education institutions (Sec. 2): 

• A school that provides education kindergarten through 4th grade;

• 30% of students meet the requirements for free or reduced price lunch;

• Specifies that this obligation begins in the 2023-24 school year for schools in which 40 percent or more of the enrolled students meet federal eligibility requirements for free or reduced-price lunches and 2024-2025 year for for schools in which the percentage of enrolled students that meet federal eligibility requirements for free or reduced-price lunches is at least 30 percent (Sec. 2) 

• Specifies that this does not apply to schools who are participating in the department of agricultures eligibility provision (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that it is the office of the superintendent which will reimburse schools for this program that are not already reimbursed by federal resources (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that the rules in this section will lapse if the federal reimbursement for any and all free lunches and breakfasts is eliminated (Sec. 2) 

• Specifies that cafeterias are recommended to buy food produced in Washington whenever practical (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that expands Washington's free school lunch program.

Highlights:

• Alleges that the state legislature recognizes the importance of nutrition in proper intellectual, academic, and social development (Sec. 1). 

• Alleges the state legislature has previously acknowledged the harm that malnutrition has caused and has attempted to remedy this through myriad programs (Sec. 1). 

• Alleges that the programs have increased access to nutritious food (Sec. 1). 

• Alleges that the COVID-19 pandemic  has had a massive impact on the availability of nutritious food for many families and children (Sec. 1). 

• Alleges that schools are best prepared to help in providing adequate nutrition to children (Sec. 1). 

• Requires each school district to provide breakfast and lunch to any student that requests them free of charge and be of adequate nutritional value (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that this applies to the following education institutions (Sec. 2): 

• A school that provides education kindergarten through 4th grade;

• 30% of students meet the requirements for free or reduced price lunch;

• Specifies that this obligation begins in the 2023-24 school year for schools in which 40 percent or more of the enrolled students meet federal eligibility requirements for free or reduced-price lunches and 2024-2025 year for for schools in which the percentage of enrolled students that meet federal eligibility requirements for free or reduced-price lunches is at least 30 percent (Sec. 2) 

• Specifies that this does not apply to schools who are participating in the department of agricultures eligibility provision (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that it is the office of the superintendent which will reimburse schools for this program that are not already reimbursed by federal resources (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that the rules in this section will lapse if the federal reimbursement for any and all free lunches and breakfasts is eliminated (Sec. 2) 

• Specifies that cafeterias are recommended to buy food produced in Washington whenever practical (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text