Urges United States Congress to pass "Universal School Meals Program Act."

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Angela McKnight

Urges Congress to pass the Universal School Meals Program Act to provide universal free meals to all K-12 students nationwide.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee

Summary of SCR 138 (Session 222) – New Jersey

Purpose and Intent

SCR 138 is a resolution urging action at the federal level, specifically requesting the United States Congress to pass the “Universal School Meals Program Act.”

The resolution expresses New Jersey’s stance that the federal government should implement a universal school meals program, making free meals available to all students regardless of income or household status.

Key Provisions and Changes Proposed

Declares support for federal legislation titled the “Universal School Meals Program Act.”

Establishes the position of the New Jersey Legislature that universal free meals in schools should be enacted nationwide, advocating for policies that would:

Ensure free meals are provided to all students in participating schools.
Potentially streamline or standardize school meal programs across states.

Serves as a formal request to federal lawmakers, rather than creating or modifying state law or allocating state funds directly.

Who/What Would Be Affected

While the resolution itself is aspirational and does not itself change state statutes or funding, it targets federal policy. If enacted at the federal level, the following would be affected:

All K-12 students in schools participating in the federal school meals program would have access to free meals regardless of income.
School nutrition programs nationwide, with potential implications for federal funding, nutrition standards, and program administration.

The resolution signals the Legislature’s position and could influence state congressional delegation to advocate for this policy.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Status: Introduced in the New Jersey Senate and referred to the Senate Education Committee (as of 2026-06-15).

Sponsorship: Co-sponsor Angela McKnight.

As a concurrent or joint resolution urging federal action, it does not itself allocate state funds or impose regulatory requirements; it serves as formal policy guidance and advocacy.

There is no immediate impact on state law or budgets unless and until federal action is taken and implemented. The timeline depends on the progress of federal legislation (the Universal School Meals Program Act) and subsequent federal enactment.

Additional Context

The measure aligns with broader debates about child nutrition, food security, and the role of government in providing universal access to meals in schools.

By urging federal action, the resolution reflects bipartisan or cross-aisle concern for student support, particularly in the context of rising food insecurity and the lessons of food programs during emergencies.

If you’d like, I can compare SCR 138 to similar resolutions or provide background on the federal “Universal School Meals Program Act” to give fuller context.