Senate Bill S8560

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8560

SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to directing the depart-
ment of education to issue guidance for schools to offer take-home meals
in the event of a disruption in food assistance programs

 
PURPOSE:

To ensure that schools have a clear framework to provide take-home meals
to students when food assistance programs are disrupted or when other
circumstances create a risk of food insecurity among students.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 adds a new section 915-b to the Education Law directing the
State Education Department to develop guidance for schools to provide
students with an additional take-home meal at the end of the school day
in the event of a disruption in federal or state food assistance
programs, or under other circumstances identified by the department as
              

creating a risk of food insecurity among students. The guidance will
allow schools to respond flexibly to local or statewide food insecurity
needs by using existing meal program infrastructure and resources.

Section 2 provides that the act shall take effect immediately.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Many New York students rely on school meals as their most consistent
source of daily nutrition. When disruptions occur in federal or state
food assistance programs, or when communities experience crises that
increase food insecurity, families can struggle to provide adequate
meals for their children.  This bill directs the State Education Depart-
ment to create a clear and proactive framework that schools can use to
offer take-home meals during such times. The framework will not mandate
that schools provide these meals, but it will ensure that districts have
ready guidance on how to do so when needed.  By preparing in advance for
potential disruptions, schools will be better able to maintain students'
health and learning readiness, reduce administrative confusion during
emergencies, and coordinate more effectively with local food programs
and state agencies.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Minimal.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.