New Jersey public schools would serve free breakfast regardless of income

Public schools operating breakfast programs would have to offer breakfast free. This would cover enrolled students age 18 or younger at those schools, regardless of income. For students who do not qualify for federal free or reduced-price meals, state payments would equal each breakfast's full cost minus the federal payment rate for a free breakfast. The free-breakfast requirement would take effect immediately if the bill becomes law.

Every public school would have to run a breakfast program. Districts would submit plans by November 1, 2028 for schools with any pre-K through sixth-grade classes, and by November 1, 2029 for other schools. Programs would start by September 1, 2029 and September 1, 2030, respectively. For schools missing those plan deadlines, a conflicting backup rule requires starts one year earlier.