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HF 4800

State-paid free school lunches limited to families with incomes at or below 500 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, school wellness and resiliency aid established, resources for school-linked behavioral health grants increased, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Andrew Myers

The bill expands state-paid free meals to families up to 500% of the federal poverty line and funds school wellness, resiliency, and school-linked behavioral health programs.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Education Finance
#appropriations #education-k-12 #foodandnutrition
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Bill Summary · HF 4800

Summary of HF 4800 (2025-2026) – Minnesota

Overview

HF 4800 proposes a multifaceted set of changes related to education and student wellbeing in Minnesota. The bill aims to:

  • Limit state-paid free school meals to families with incomes at or below 500 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
  • Establish school wellness and resiliency aid.
  • Increase resources for school-linked behavioral health grants.
  • Appropriate funds to support these initiatives.

The bill currently has one identified sponsor (Co-sponsor: Andrew Myers) and was introduced and referred to the Education Finance committee on April 7, 2026.

1) Main Purpose and Intent

  • Nutrition program reform: Redefine eligibility for state-funded free school meals to a higher income threshold, specifically 500% of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG).
  • Student well-being and health: Create dedicated funding and programs through school wellness and resiliency aid to support comprehensive student health and resilience initiatives.
  • Behavioral health access: Expand and fund school-linked behavioral health resources, aiming to improve access to mental health services for students.
  • Funding and grants: Increase appropriations and resources to support these programs, ensuring available funds for implementation and ongoing operation.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

A. State-Paid Free School Meals Eligibility

  • New income threshold: Families with incomes up to 500% of the federal poverty guidelines would be eligible for state-paid free school meals.
  • Policy scope: Applies to meals funded or supported by the state (distinct from federal meal programs or local funding in other contexts).

B. School Wellness and Resiliency Aid

  • Program establishment: Creates or designates a school wellness and resiliency aid program.
  • Purpose: To bolster programs that promote health, nutrition, physical activity, mental health awareness, and resilience-building among students.
  • Funding use: Likely covers personnel, programming, and resources that support holistic student well-being.

C. School-Linked Behavioral Health Grants

  • Resource expansion: Increases resources for grants aimed at school-linked behavioral health.
  • Objective: Improve access to behavioral health services for students within or connected to the school setting, potentially including partnerships with local health providers or community organizations.
  • Grant administration: Details would specify eligibility, application processes, and oversight (to be defined in the bill’s provisions).

D. Appropriations

  • Funding authorization: Provides money appropriations to support the above initiatives, including meal program changes, wellness/aids, and behavioral health grants.
  • Timeline and implementation: The bill would outline timelines for rollout, eligibility determinations, and grant cycles (exact dates to be specified in the bill text).

3) Affected Parties

  • Students and families: Students eligible for state-paid meals (and their families, via income eligibility) would be impacted regarding meal benefits.
  • School districts and charter schools: Responsible for implementing meal eligibility changes, administering wellness programs, and applying for behavioral health grants.
  • Schools and districts’ wellness staff: Potentially receive new or expanded funding for wellness and resiliency initiatives.
  • Behavioral health providers: May participate through school-linked grant programs to deliver services or coordinate with schools.
  • State agencies: Education finance and any health or human services agencies involved in administering grants, wellness funds, and meal program guidelines.

4) Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Introduction and referral: Introduced on 2026-04-07 and referred to the Education Finance committee.
  • Next steps (typical): The bill would move through committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes in the House. If advanced, it would require consideration by the Senate (or parallel process) and final passage before any potential signing into law.
  • Implementation timing: The bill will specify effective dates for the meal eligibility change, grant cycles, and program start dates; these details will be explicit in the bill text.

Notes

  • The policy change to 500% FPG for state-paid meals represents a substantial expansion of eligibility, depending on final income thresholds and program rules.
  • The combination of wellness, resiliency, and behavioral health initiatives signals a holistic approach to student well-being in addition to nutrition.

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

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