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H 1466

An Act establishing the hunger free campus initiative

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jim Arciero and 32 co-sponsors

Creates the Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program and a dedicated Trust Fund to fund campus hunger relief, boost benefits access, and support student success.

Accompanied a new draft, see H4408
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Bill Summary · H 1466

Summary: H.1466 – An Act establishing the hunger free campus initiative

Overview

H.1466 seeks to create a state-administered Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program to address student food insecurity in public higher education settings. The program aims to support students in completing their education, with an emphasis on workforce development and postsecondary success. It would authorize grants to eligible institutions (public higher education, municipally administered colleges, and certain minority-serving institutions) and establish a dedicated fund to finance the program.

What the bill would do

  • Add a new Section 46 to Chapter 15A to establish the Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program, subject to appropriation.
  • Create a program director within the Department of Higher Education (DHE) who reports to the Commissioner. The director would:
    • Develop guidelines and procedures for grant making based on available data about student hunger.
    • Conduct surveys or analyses to identify gaps in addressing campus hunger.
    • Develop campus-specific criteria and programs to promote hunger awareness and access to benefits.
  • Require participating institutions to meet guidelines that may include:
    • Designation of campus staff interfacing with the department.
    • Existence or scale of campus hunger awareness efforts and notification to students about rights to federal/state food assistance.
    • On-campus meal vendors accepting federal/state nutrition benefits.
    • Student meal credit sharing programs (where applicable).
    • Income-based standards to determine grant levels based on campus student populations.
    • Any other criteria developed by the department.
  • The department would provide technical assistance to help institutions meet program goals.

Funding, governance, and administration

  • A separate Hunger-Free Campus Trust Fund would be established and administered by the Commissioner of Higher Education.
  • The fund would be credited with:
    • Appropriations designated for the fund.
    • Interest earned on fund balances.
    • Gifts, grants, and donations from public and private sources.
  • Money in the fund would not revert to the General Fund and would be used to:
    • Fund grants under the program.
    • Cover administration costs of the program.
  • Annually, by October 1, the Commissioner must report to key legislative offices on fund activity, including sources of funds, amounts distributed, grants awarded, and future projections.

Eligibility and who is covered

  • Eligible recipients include:
    • Institutions of public higher education in Massachusetts.
    • Municipally administered colleges.
    • Minority-serving institutions as defined by 20 U.S.C. 1067k(3) as determined by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Funding may come from the Education and Transportation Fund (as designated by the General Court) and other permitted sources.

Reporting and accountability

  • Annual reporting to the Governor, and the clerks of the Senate and House, and the Joint Committee on Higher Education by July 1, detailing:
    • Number and amounts of grants.
    • Activities and outcomes of participating campuses.
    • Student engagement and impact outcomes.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to the Committee on Higher Education: February 27, 2025.
  • Related action: Senate concurred on February 27, 2025.
  • Hearing schedule: April 29, 2025, with a hearing set for May 5, 2025.
  • Status: Accompanied by a new draft, see H.4408 (as of August 28, 2025).

Potential impact

  • Aims to reduce student hunger and food insecurity on college campuses, supporting degree completion and workforce readiness.
  • Creates a structured funding stream and accountability framework for campus hunger initiatives.
  • Could influence campus operations—from benefits access to on-campus dining programs and student support services—through defined grant guidelines and reporting requirements.

Notes

  • This bill builds on a broader push to address student hunger in higher education and is tied to a dedicated trust fund and annual reporting to lawmakers. A related draft bill, H.4408, accompanies the new draft.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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