A Washington state bill that would increase the availability of free school meals for students has passed in the House of Representatives, KXKLY reports.
The Hunger-Free Schools Act would require the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to work with community-based organizations, child nutrition experts, school officials and others to develop and execute a plan to increase the number of Washington schools participating in the USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
The office will also be responsible for identifying schools that do not participate in the CEP as well as any barriers that may be preventing them from doing so.
Elementary and middle schools where at least 62.5% of students qualify for free meals would also be required to participate in the CEP.