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HB 696

Education; lunch and school breakfast programs for public school students; provide

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bryce Berry and 5 co-sponsors

House Bill 696 ensures free nutritious meals for students in Georgia's lowest-performing schools, boosting their health and learning while supporting local agriculture.

House Second Readers
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Bill Summary · HB 696

Summary of House Bill 696: Every Child Fed Act

Bill Number: HB 696
Introduced: February 28, 2025
Current Status: House Second Readers
Sponsors: Representatives Santos, Smith, Berry, Neal, Frye, and others

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 696, titled the Every Child Fed Act, aims to enhance the availability of school lunch and breakfast programs for public school students in Georgia. The bill seeks to ensure that students, particularly those attending the lowest-performing schools, have access to nutritious meals at no cost, thereby supporting their learning and overall well-being.

Key Provisions

  1. Free Meals for Low-Performing Schools:

    • The bill mandates that students enrolled in schools classified in the lowest 25% based on performance ratings receive school lunches and breakfasts at no cost.

  2. School Breakfast Programs:

    • Local school systems are encouraged to establish breakfast programs, particularly in schools identified as low-performing.

  3. Funding Mechanisms:

    • The State Board of Education will determine the necessary state funding to support these programs, ensuring that all students have access to high-quality meals.
    • Local school systems are required to maximize access to federal funding, including participation in the USDA's Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

  4. Nutritional Standards:

    • The bill requires the State Board of Education to set minimum nutritional requirements for school meals that meet or exceed federal standards.

  5. Training and Certification:

    • The bill provides for the certification and training of school lunch food and nutrition personnel to ensure effective program implementation.

  6. Use of Local Products:

    • The legislation encourages the use of Georgia-grown products in school meal programs to support local agriculture.

Impact

  • Students: The primary beneficiaries will be public school students, especially those in underperforming schools, who will gain access to nutritious meals without financial barriers.
  • Local School Systems: Schools will need to adapt their meal programs to comply with the new regulations and maximize federal funding opportunities.
  • Agricultural Sector: The encouragement of using local products may benefit Georgia farmers and promote local food systems.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill is currently in the legislative process, having passed the House First Readers stage and moving to the House Second Readers as of March 4, 2025.
  • The bill includes provisions for repealing conflicting laws and establishing rules and regulations necessary for its implementation.

Conclusion

House Bill 696 represents a significant step towards improving student nutrition and educational outcomes in Georgia by ensuring that all public school students have access to healthy meals, particularly those in the most disadvantaged schools. The bill's focus on federal funding maximization and local agricultural support further enhances its potential impact on the community.

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

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