Requires that parents of students at student orientations, back to school nights, or other beginning of year events receive notification of eligibility for free or reduced price meals for students

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Nader Sayegh

Bill A 4174 requires schools to inform parents about free or reduced-price meal eligibility during key events, boosting access to nutrition for low-income students.

REFERRED TO EDUCATION

Bill Information

Bill Number: A 4174

Title: Requires that parents of students at student orientations, back to school nights, or other beginning of year events receive notification of eligibility for free or reduced price meals for students

Status: Referred to Education

Introduced: January 31, 2025

Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill A 4174 aims to ensure that parents and guardians of students are adequately informed about their eligibility for free or reduced-price meal programs during key school events. By mandating notifications at orientations, back-to-school nights, and similar events, the bill seeks to increase awareness and participation in these essential nutrition programs, which can significantly benefit students from low-income families.

Key Provisions

Notification Requirement: Schools are required to provide information regarding eligibility for free or reduced-price meals to parents during student orientations, back-to-school nights, and other beginning-of-year events.

Information Dissemination: The bill emphasizes that this information should be clear and accessible, ensuring that all parents have the opportunity to understand the meal assistance programs available to them.

Affected Parties

Students: The primary beneficiaries of this bill are students who may qualify for free or reduced-price meals, ensuring they have access to nutritious food during the school day.

Parents/Guardians: Parents will receive crucial information that can help them navigate available resources for their children's nutrition.

Schools: Educational institutions will need to implement procedures to comply with the notification requirement, potentially involving staff training and resource allocation.

Procedural Aspects

Legislative Status: As of January 31, 2025, the bill has been referred to the Education Committee for further consideration.

Related Legislation: This bill is related to prior-session Bill A 6850 and has a companion bill, S 1526, which may indicate broader legislative support or similar initiatives in the Senate.

Conclusion

Bill A 4174 represents a proactive approach to addressing food insecurity among students by enhancing communication between schools and families. By ensuring that parents are informed about meal assistance programs, the bill aims to foster greater participation and support for students in need, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being and academic success.

Bill