The Daily Populous Friday December 19th, 2025 morning edition
Authored by nysenate.gov and submitted by sillychillly

S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K ________________________________________________________________________ 594 2025-2026 Regular Sessions I N S E N A T E (PREFILED) January 8, 2025 ___________ Introduced by Sens. HINCHEY, ASHBY, BAILEY, BROUK, CLEARE, COONEY, FERNANDEZ, GOUNARDES, HARCKHAM, JACKSON, MARTINEZ, MARTINS, MAY, MURRAY, MYRIE, RAMOS, RHOADS, ROLISON, RYAN S, SALAZAR, SEPULVEDA, SKOUFIS, WEBB -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to providing universal school meals to students THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM- BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 915-a to read as follows: § 915-A. UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS. 1. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REQUIRE ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CHARTER SCHOOLS AND NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE STATE THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM OR SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM AS PROVIDED IN THE RICHARD B. RUSSELL NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH ACT AND THE CHILD NUTRITION ACT, AS AMENDED, TO SERVE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH AT NO COST TO THE STUDENT. PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CHARTER SCHOOLS AND NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS SHALL MAXIMIZE FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAMS BY ADOPTING PROVISION 2, THE FEDERAL COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PROVISION, OR ANY OTHER PROVISION UNDER SUCH ACT, THE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH ACT OR THE NATIONAL CHILD NUTRITION ACT. 2. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REIMBURSE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE AMOUNT PAID BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE FREE RATE AS SET ANNUALLY BY THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE UNDER 42 U.S.C. 1759A FOR EACH SCHOOL. 3. THE DEPARTMENT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE SHALL PROMULGATE ANY RULE OR REGULATION NEEDED FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CHARTER SCHOOLS AND NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO PROMOTE THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO A STUDENT OR PERSON IN PARENTAL RELATION TO A STUDENT BY EITHER PROVIDING APPLICATION EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted.

destrux125 on December 18th, 2025 at 18:06 UTC »

I'm fine with my taxes going to this sort of thing.

ChilindriPizza on December 18th, 2025 at 17:58 UTC »

I wish all states did. My county in Florida has universal free breakfasts and nearly universal free lunches. I think this is a great benefit to everyone. I do not think it encourages idleness or irresponsible parenting. I used to be a teacher- trust me, there are many other ways to detect child abuse and neglect. Plus it is not that much bigger in the tax bill- though I do think billionaires should really step up, not the middle class.

PreparationKey2843 on December 18th, 2025 at 17:16 UTC »

That's wonderful. I think all schools should do that regardless of financial status. The rich kids won't use it because it's "cafeteria" food, and the poorer kids need nutritional meals to help their growing brains and focus on school instead of hunger. NM has been doing that for a while now. Every school should. It's an investment for a healthier, smarter population.