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Bill

SB 1017

School boards; powers and duties, school meal policies, payment of school meal debt.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Danica Roem and 1 co-sponsor

SB 1017 would have required Virginia schools to serve meals to all students regardless of unpaid lunch debt, but was vetoed by the Governor citing unfunded mandate concerns.

Senate sustained Governor's veto
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Bill Summary · SB 1017

Legislative bill overview

SB 1017 would have expanded school board powers regarding meal policies and prohibited schools from denying meals to students with unpaid lunch debt. The bill aimed to ensure that all students receive meals regardless of their ability to pay, while giving school boards more discretion in debt collection policies.

Why is this important

Child food insecurity affects academic performance and student well-being. This bill addresses whether schools should be required to provide meals to all students or whether debt collection practices should influence meal access—a question with both humanitarian and practical implications for school operations and family finances.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding: Schools argued the bill imposed unfunded mandates, forcing them to absorb meal costs without additional state/federal reimbursement, potentially straining already tight budgets
  • Debt responsibility: Disagreement over whether parents should face consequences for unpaid meals versus whether schools should absorb losses as a public service
  • Implementation feasibility: Concerns about administrative burden on schools managing meal distribution without collection mechanisms as leverage

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

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