HB 2769-S - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

Recognizes that hunger and food insecurity are serious problems in the state.

Recognizes the correlation between adequate nutrition and a child's development and school performance. This problem can be greatly diminished through improved access to federal nutrition programs.

Recognizes that improved access to federal nutrition and assistance programs, such as the federal food stamp program, can be a critical factor in enabling recipients to gain the ability to support themselves and their families. This is an important step towards self-sufficiency and decreased long-term reliance on governmental assistance and will serve to strengthen families in this state.

Requires school districts to implement a school lunch program in each public school in the district in which educational services are provided to children in any of the grades kindergarten through four and in which one child or more qualifies for a free or reduced priced lunch. In developing and implementing its school lunch program, each school district may consult with an advisory committee including school staff, community members, and others appointed by the board of directors of the district.

Requires each school district to implement a summer food service program in each public school in the district in which a summer program of academic, enrichment, or remedial services is provided and in which fifty percent or more of the children enrolled in the school qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. However, the superintendent of public instruction shall develop rules establishing criteria to permit an exemption for a school that can demonstrate availability of an adequate alternative summer feeding program.

Requires that, to the maximum extent allowable by federal law, the department shall implement simplified reporting for the food stamp program by October 31, 2004.

Declares that, for the purposes of this act, "simplified reporting" means the only changes in circumstance that a recipient of a benefit program must report between eligibility reviews are a change of address or an increase of income that would result in ineligibility for the benefit program.

Requires that, to the maximum extent allowable by federal law, beginning on October 31, 2005, the department shall provide transitional food stamp assistance for a period of five months to a household that ceases to receive temporary assistance for needy families assistance.

Appropriates the sum of three hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, from the general fund to the office of superintendent of public instruction for the purpose of providing incentive grants to school districts not currently offering breakfast programs in schools that offer educational programs in any grades kindergarten through four.