WeVote
Log In

Bill

WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2238

Overview

HB 2238 proposes the "Hayes Act," a Missouri bill that would require public and certain private schools to provide free lunches to students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and would create a dedicated state fund to reimburse schools for the associated costs. The bill defines its scope, funding mechanism, administration, and transparency protections.

Main purpose and intent

  • Ensure that students eligible for reduced-price lunch under NSLP receive free lunches at no direct cost to families.
  • Provide a state-funded reimbursement to schools for the incremental cost of offering free meals to these students, subject to appropriations.
  • Minimize stigma by preventing public identification of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
  • Establish a dedicated, non-reverting School Meals Fund to support ongoing reimbursements and program administration.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions:
    • “School” covers public districts, public and private/charter schools, and religious or parochial schools that participate in NSLP or its successor, excluding participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) or its successor.
  • Free lunch obligation:
    • Schools must provide a free lunch to each student approved for a reduced-price lunch under NSLP (or successor program).
  • Reimbursements:
    • The State Board of Education shall reimburse the difference between each free lunch’s total cost and the federal NSLP reimbursement rate, subject to appropriation.
  • Eligibility determination and outreach:
    • Schools determine which students are eligible for free/reduced-price lunches and must assist parents/guardians with applying for NSLP benefits.
  • Privacy protections:
    • Schools may not publicly identify or stigmatize students eligible for free/reduced-price lunch.
  • Financing (School Meals Fund):
    • A new “School Meals Fund” in the state treasury to hold moneys appropriated for implementing the section.
    • Fund is dedicated; moneys used solely for school meal reimbursements.
    • Any remaining funds at the end of the biennium do not revert to general revenue.
    • Investment of fund moneys; interest and earnings credited to the fund.
  • Administration and rules:
    • The State Board of Education must promulgate rules to implement reimbursements, including application processes.
    • Rules are subject to the state rulemaking provisions (chapter 536) and are nonseverable from the act.

Who is affected

  • Students: Eligible NSLP participants receiving free lunches due to reduced-price eligibility.
  • Schools: Public districts, public/private/charter, and certain religious/parochial schools that participate in NSLP (excluding CEP participants) would administer the program and request reimbursements.
  • State agencies: Missouri Department of Education to administer reimbursements and oversee fund management; State Treasurer as custodian/investor of the School Meals Fund.

Timelines and procedural notes

  • Funding and reimbursements are subject to annual or biennial appropriations by the General Assembly.
  • The bill establishes a funding mechanism and rulemaking process, including an effective allocation model via the School Meals Fund.
  • Current action history shows committee referral and floor readings in 2026, with prefill in late 2025.

Potential impact

  • Increased access to free lunches for students eligible for reduced-price NSLP benefits, potentially reducing stigma.
  • New ongoing state cost contingent on appropriations for reimbursements to participating schools.
  • Administrative requirements for schools to determine eligibility, assist families, and ensure privacy protections.
  • Creation of a dedicated fund could stabilize funding for school meal reimbursements and separate these dollars from general revenue.

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

Sign in to ask a question.