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HB 4520

Higher education: other; program to designate certain college and university campuses as hunger-free campuses; create. Creates new act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Noah Arbit and 20 co-sponsors

Creates a statewide Hunger-Free Campus Program designating campuses that meet criteria to reduce student food insecurity through SNAP outreach, on-campus food resources, and awaren

bill electronically reproduced 05/22/2025
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Bill Summary · HB 4520

Summary — HB 4520: Hunger‑Free Campus Act

Bill: HB 4520 (House) — "Hunger‑Free Campus Act"
Introduced: March 12, 2025 (Rep. Will Snyder, et al.) — Companion: SB 2226
Enacted: Signed by Governor 6/20/2025; Effective 9/1/2025

Purpose

Creates a statewide "hunger‑free campus" program, housed in the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, to reduce food and basic‑needs insecurity among college and university students by encouraging and recognizing campus practices that expand access to food, SNAP outreach, and related services.

Scope / Definitions

  • Applies to any degree‑ or certificate‑granting public or private college/university, junior college, community college, and federally recognized tribal college in the state.
  • Program and designations are made at the campus level.

Key provisions

The department must establish and operate the Hunger‑Free Campus Program and designate as a “hunger‑free campus” any campus that meets all listed criteria:

  1. Hunger task force

    • Campus establishes a task force including student and administrative representatives.
    • Task force must meet at least 3 times per academic year and set at least 2 goals with action plans.

  2. SNAP and benefits outreach

    • Designate a staff member responsible for informing students about state SNAP enrollment and other DHHS assistance programs.

  3. SNAP EBT usability

    • Provide options for students to use SNAP EBT at campus stores or provide information on nearby establishments that accept EBT.

  4. Awareness activities

    • Hold, participate in, or promote at least one hunger awareness event per academic year.

  5. Food access

    • Maintain at least one physical on‑campus food pantry or provide food via a separate, stigma‑free arrangement; partnering with local food banks/pantries is allowed.

  6. Meal donation/voucher program

    • Develop a student meal credit donation program or set aside funds for free food vouchers; campuses may set their own procedures.

  7. Annual student hunger survey

    • Conduct a yearly student hunger survey developed by the department using best practices from the Trellis Research Student Financial Wellness Survey and submit results to the department for inclusion in a comparative campus profile.
  • The department may promulgate rules under the Administrative Procedures Act to implement the program.

Who is affected

  • Primary: students at participating campuses (greater access to food and benefit enrollment assistance).
  • Secondary: campus administrations and staff (new duties: task forces, designated staff, pantry operations, surveys), campus stores/local businesses (EBT acceptance), community food banks and partners, and the Department (oversight, rulemaking, survey/tool development).

Implementation, timeline, and fiscal notes

  • Effective date: 9/1/2025.
  • The act does not specify state funding or appropriations; implementation will likely impose administrative and operational costs on institutions (staff time, pantry operations, survey administration) and on the department (rulemaking, survey/tool development, oversight). These costs are not detailed in the bill text.

Practical impact

  • Establishes a uniform set of minimum practices to identify and publicize campuses taking measurable steps to address student food insecurity.
  • Anticipated benefits include increased SNAP enrollment outreach, greater campus food resources, stigma‑reduced access, and data collection to compare campus needs.
  • Campuses must allocate resources and create administrative structures to meet designation requirements.

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

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