1508 AMH ED MOET 863

HB 1508 - H COMM AMD

By Committee on Education

NOT CONSIDERED 03/02/2017

    On page 1, after line 5, insert the following:   

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  (1) The legislature finds that thoughtful and evidence-based school food programs are associated with improved outcomes for students, including fewer disciplinary incidents, better attendance, improved performance on standardized tests, and academic success evidenced through increased graduation rates.

    (2) The legislature acknowledges that while many schools currently offer breakfast before the school day, and that many students have benefited from the elimination of lunch copays for qualifying students in kindergarten through third grade, there are significant numbers of students who come to school hungry or who lack financial resources to pay lunch copays.

    (3) The legislature acknowledges also that existing school-related farm programs play an important role in helping students to better understanding the relationships between academics, food, farming, and good health.

    (4) The legislature finds that the purpose of sections 1 through 11 of this act is to achieve the public policy benefits specified in subsection (1) of this section: improved student outcomes.  To do so, the legislature intends to:

    (a) Expand opportunities for students to have a healthy breakfast by requiring schools with large populations of qualifying low-income students to offer breakfast after the bell programs, a program model that has increased breakfast participation rates in other states;

    (b) Increase support for the elimination of lunch copays for qualifying students in prekindergarten and in grades for which the copay remains; and

    (c) Increase support for school-related farm programs that have proven successful in supporting students through policies that, among other benefits, promote student health and readiness through healthy local foods and school garden projects."

    Renumber the remaining sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

    Correct the title.

EFFECT:  Adds intent language, including specifying legislative intent to: (1) require qualifying schools to offer Breakfast after the Bell programs; (2) increase support for the elimination of lunch copays for qualifying students; and (3) increase support school-related farm programs.

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