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HB 2613

Establishes the "Missouri Free School Meals Program" to reimburse schools for providing free breakfasts and lunches to all students

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stephanie Hein

The bill creates the Missouri Free School Meals Program to reimburse participating districts for providing free breakfasts and lunches to all students.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
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Bill Summary · HB 2613

Summary of HB 2613 (Missouri, 2026) — Establishes the Missouri Free School Meals Program

Purpose and intent

  • The bill creates a state program titled the Missouri Free School Meals Program.
  • Primary goal: reimburse school districts in Missouri for providing free breakfasts and lunches to all students, regardless of family income or eligibility status.
  • Aims to ensure universal access to school meals across participating districts, simplifying administration and removing the means-tested eligibility barrier.

Key provisions and changes

  • Program establishment: Establishes the Missouri Free School Meals Program as a state-funded initiative administered by a state education or relevant health/food service agency (exact administering agency not specified in available details).
  • Reimbursements to schools: Schools/districts enrolling in the program are eligible to be reimbursed for the cost of meals served to all students.
  • Scope of meals covered: Reimburses breakfasts and lunches served to students in participating schools.
  • Eligibility to participate: School districts and possibly charter schools or other local education agencies may apply to participate; participation likely voluntary, with districts choosing to participate to receive reimbursements.
  • Funding mechanism: The bill designates state funds to support the reimbursement payments. Specific funding amounts, appropriation sources, or formula details are not provided in the available text.
  • Administration and reporting: Likely includes requirements for program administration, meal counting/verification, and annual reporting or auditing to ensure funds are used for approved meals; specific reporting requirements are not detailed in the provided information.
  • Implementation timeline: No concrete starting date or fiscal year is specified in the available text; given the bill’s progression (readings in January 2026 and referral in May 2026), implementation would follow appropriation and rulemaking after passage.

Who would be affected

  • Students and families: All students in participating districts would have access to free breakfasts and lunches.
  • School districts and cafeterias: Districts that opt into the program would implement universal free meals, adjust procurement, meal counting systems, and billing practices for reimbursements.
  • State and local governments: The state would incur ongoing costs to fund reimbursements; districts would need to coordinate with state mechanisms to receive payments.
  • Administrative bodies: School nutrition staff and district administrators would handle eligibility simplification, meal service records, and reporting requirements.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Legislative status: Referred to Emerging Issues (H) on May 15, 2026; previously read and debated in January 2026; introduced and prefiled in December 2025.
  • Next steps: If advanced, the bill would require committee review, potential amendments, and floor votes in both chambers, followed by assent or veto considerations. Funding appropriations would likely accompany final passage or be addressed in budget bills.
  • Implementation milestones: Absent explicit dates in the text, practical milestones would include setting reimbursement formulas, establishing application procedures for districts, and issuing administrative rules or guidance for program operation.

Potential impact considerations (informational)

  • Could reduce administrative burden on families by removing means-testing for school meals.
  • May increase school meal participation rates, improving student nutrition and potential academic outcomes.
  • Fiscal impact depends on enrollment in participating districts, meal costs, and the reimbursement rate compared to current free/reduced-price meal funding.
  • Implementation would require coordination with school nutrition programs, compliance with federal meal standards, and ongoing monitoring of expenditures.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize fiscal estimates, administrative requirements, or district-by-district impact once more detailed text (reimbursement formulas, funding sources, and reporting provisions) becomes available.

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

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