Participating schools would serve free federally reimbursable breakfasts and lunches

A qualified school would offer eligible breakfasts and lunches at no cost to every student. This applies to public schools and nonprofit private schools that take part in the federal school breakfast or lunch programs. The meals must qualify for federal reimbursement, in whole or in part. The requirement applies to meals served during the school day.

The State Department of Education would repay qualified schools for part of their eligible meal costs. Payments would go to public and nonprofit private schools that take part in the federal meal programs and follow the bill's rules. Schools must follow the program rules to receive annual payments. The bill states that the Legislature intends to provide General Fund money for the program; it does not expressly make payments depend on an appropriation. Payments would be made yearly for eligible meals served during the second preceding school fiscal year.

A qualified school would use the federal community eligibility option to maximize federal meal payments if its identified student percentage is at least 62.5%. This applies to public and nonprofit private schools that take part in the federal breakfast or lunch programs. The school must meet or exceed the 62.5% threshold calculated under federal rules.