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SB 2663

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FEDERAL AID

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jonathon Acosta and 4 co-sponsors

Rhode Island will provide universal, free breakfast and lunch for all public school students in a phased rollout through 2029-2030, funded largely by federal programs.

05/19/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 2663

Bill Summary: SB 2663 (Rhode Island, 2026) — An Act Relating to Education: Federal Aid

Main purpose and intent

  • Establish a statewide “Healthy School Meals for All” program to provide universal, free breakfast and lunch to public school students in Rhode Island.
  • Phase the program in over three school years, beginning with elementary schools, expanding to middle schools, and eventually covering all elementary, middle, and high school students.
  • Aligns with federal nutrition standards and seeks to maximize federal funding to offset costs to local districts and the state.

Key provisions and changes

  • Phased implementation schedule

    • 2027-2028: All public elementary schools must provide breakfast and lunch to all enrolled students at no charge.
    • 2028-2029: All public elementary and middle schools (through grade 8) must provide breakfast and lunch to all students at no charge.
    • 2029-2030: All public elementary, middle, and high schools must provide breakfast and lunch to all students at no charge, under USDA rules adopted by DESE.

  • Universal, no-charge meals

    • Schools participating in the federal School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program must offer free meals to every enrolled student on each school day.

  • Maximizing federal funding

    • Public educational entities must pursue federal funding options to offset meal costs, selecting from: 1) National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs (Provision 2 Guidance) 2) Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) 3) Other applicable federal provisions that maximize funding (including active meal benefit application processes)
    • Requires active dissemination and collection of meal benefit applications as applicable.

  • Meal quality and program operations

    • Compliance with state nutrition standards for meals and snacks.
    • Preference for locally grown/produced foods where feasible.
    • Support for scratch-cooked meals and culturally relevant menus.
    • Engagement of students and families in menu development through participatory processes.

  • Reporting and accountability

    • Public entities must report, at least quarterly, data on the procurement of locally grown/produced foods used in breakfasts and lunches.
    • The reporting format and required data points will be determined annually by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

  • Financial administration and reimbursements

    • DESE will reimburse school food authorities for the difference between the federal free reimbursement rate and the actual federal reimbursement rate per meal.
    • DESE will adopt rules to implement these reimbursements.

  • Funding and staffing in the state budget

    • An annual separate line-item appropriation by the General Assembly to reimburse the cost difference for meals in state-subsidized early childhood programs and K-12, considered entitlement dollars and adjustable as needed.
    • An additional annual line-item appropriation to support one full-time equivalent (1 FTE) at DESE to administer and implement the program.

  • Effective date

    • The act takes effect July 1, 2027.

Who/what is affected

  • Public educational entities (school districts and public schools) across Rhode Island, including elementary, middle, and high schools, will implement universal free meals.
  • Students in Rhode Island public schools will be eligible for free breakfasts and lunches regardless of family income.
  • DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) will administer the program, manage reimbursements, collect required data, and adopt necessary regulations.
  • Rhode Island families and communities may experience improved access to nutritious meals during the school day, with potential positive effects on health and academic outcomes.
  • State budget and administration will incur annual appropriations for meal reimbursements and DESE staffing to support implementation.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Referred to the Senate Finance Committee upon introduction (February 27, 2026).
  • Final, phased rollout begins with the 2027-2028 school year and completes by the 2029-2030 school year.
  • Requires annual rulemaking and reporting obligations to ensure compliance and to optimize federal funding utilization.
  • Envisioned funding structure includes dedicated entitlement dollars and ongoing state appropriations for administration.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Could significantly reduce student hunger and related learning challenges by ensuring universal access to school meals.
  • May increase demand on school districts for meal provision, nutrition planning, and procurement, with emphasis on local sourcing and culturally relevant menus.
  • Relies on securing and optimizing federal funds (CEP, Provision 2, etc.) to mitigate cost to the state and districts.
  • Requires robust data reporting and coordination between schools, DESE, and health/wellness subcommittees.

If you’d like, I can provide a one-page briefing with a quick bullet-point impact matrix or a side-by-side comparison with current Rhode Island policy and federal program options.

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

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