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HD 2096

An Act establishing the hunger free campus initiative

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jim Arciero and 19 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill creates campus food security programs requiring public colleges to provide emergency food assistance and reduce student hunger through meal plans and food bank partnerships.

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Bill Summary · HD 2096

Legislative bill overview

HD 2096 establishes the Hunger Free Campus Initiative, a program designed to address food insecurity among students at Massachusetts public higher education institutions. The bill requires participating colleges and universities to implement measures such as emergency food assistance, meal plan flexibility, and partnerships with food banks to ensure students have adequate access to nutrition.

Why is this important

Food insecurity affects a significant portion of college students and directly impacts academic performance, retention rates, and overall health outcomes. By institutionalizing support systems, this bill aims to remove a major barrier to educational success and reduce the hidden costs of higher education that force some students to choose between eating and paying tuition.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding responsibility: Unclear whether costs fall on state budgets, individual institutions, or require new appropriations, potentially straining higher education finances
  • Implementation scope: Defining which institutions must participate and what specific services constitute adequate hunger relief could create inconsistencies or unfunded mandates
  • Effectiveness measurement: The bill may lack clear metrics for success, making it difficult to assess whether programs meaningfully reduce food insecurity or represent efficient spending

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

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