legislation and regulation

Operations

Federal bill would permanently increase school meal reimbursement rates

Also in this week’s K-12 legislative update: Several states introduce or advance universal free meals bills, while others look to expand local procurement in schools.

Workforce

A big crackdown on child-labor violations is coming, White House says

The effort will beef up enforcement staffs, increase penalties and have federal agencies work up a national plan.

Also in this week’s K-12 legislative update: Illinois looks to reimburse schools for the actual cost of free meals, while New Jersey and Washington consider expanding free meal access.

The meal debt problem is in lawmakers’ hands, says Dan Ellnor of Jefferson County Public Schools. School districts across the country have amassed more than $19 million in unpaid meal fees, according to a recent School Nutrition Association survey.

The bill is intended to expand the hiring pool as labor shortages keep plaguing schools.

Students would be able to receive the alternative meals at no extra cost.

Operators share how stricter rules for sodium and sugar would impact their programs, and what they think is missing from the proposed updates.

Legislators in both states have introduced bills that would permanently offer free meals to all public school students.

If passed, schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program would be required to offer free meals to all students each day.

The states are two of several that have introduced universal free meals bills this legislative session.

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