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HB 562

Regards food for students with religious dietary restrictions

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sean Brennan and 8 co-sponsors

Ohio schools must provide meal options accommodating students' religious dietary restrictions, ensuring equal nutrition access and inclusion.

Referred to committee
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Bill Summary · HB 562

Legislative bill overview

HB 562 requires Ohio schools to provide meal options that accommodate students with religious dietary restrictions. The bill ensures that students following religions with specific food requirements—such as halal, kosher, vegetarian/vegan practices, or other faith-based dietary needs—have access to compliant meals during the school day.

Why is this important

Food access directly affects student nutrition, academic performance, and sense of inclusion in school communities. Without accommodations, students with religious dietary restrictions may skip meals, bring limited lunch options, or face social isolation during meal times. This bill addresses both nutritional equity and religious accommodation in public institutions.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and implementation burden: Schools may argue that sourcing specialized ingredients and preparing separate meals increases food service budgets and operational complexity
  • Scope and feasibility: Defining which religious dietary restrictions qualify and ensuring all Ohio districts have capacity to accommodate diverse requirements (particularly smaller districts with limited resources)
  • Free meal eligibility: Whether accommodated meals must be provided free to all students or only those already receiving free/reduced lunch benefits, affecting district food service budgets

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

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