Bill Caption

Relating to free breakfast for certain public school students.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. A school district or an open-enrollment charter school in which 80 percent or more of the students qualify for a free or reduced-price breakfast would be required to provide a free breakfast to each student. School districts or open-enrollment charter schools could request a one-year waiver from the requirement. The costs to implement the provisions of the bill would vary.

Bill Analysis

Summary: HB 296 would require public schools and open-enrollment charter schools to provide free breakfasts to all their students if 80% are eligible for the National School Breakfast Program. A school can receive a waiver for one year if the board of trustees or governing board approves the waiver after reviewing the waiver request in a meeting with the opportunity for the public to provide input and approve the waiver.

Analysis: HB 296 would expand government by allowing students who are not directly eligible for the National School Breakfast Program to receive a free breakfast. This would result in subsidizing breakfast for students who are not eligible for the Program. We do not support HB 296.