SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1601

BYHouse Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Peery, Schoon, K. Wilson, Cole, Valle, Jones, G. Fisher, P. King, Pruitt, Kremen, Winsley, Wang, Holland, Wineberry, Cooper, Jacobsen, H. Myers, Dorn, Basich and Phillips)

Establishing a school breakfast program.

House Committe on Education

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 27, 1989

Senate Staff:Susan Finkel (786-7483)

AS OF MARCH 24, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In October 1988, the Governor's Task Force on Hunger called for the increased utilization of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program.  The task force recommended that the serving of breakfast be mandated in all schools where more than 25 percent of the students are eligible for free or reduced price school meals.  Currently, in schools where 40 percent or more of the children participating in the school lunch program qualify for a free and reduced priced lunch, schools can receive $.95 for each free breakfast served.  In the 1989-90 school year that will increase to $.98 per breakfast served.  These schools are identified as severe need schools.  If the school is not identified as a severe need school, the reimbursement for each free breakfast served is $.79 and will increase to $.82 in the 1989-90 school year.

SUMMARY:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction is directed to conduct a study of school lunch programs to determine reasons why some schools are not currently participating in the national school lunch program.  The report shall include an estimate of the number of students in each of the schools in the study which would be eligible for free or reduced-price lunches if such lunches were available.  A report on the SPI findings shall be submitted to the Legislature by January 15, 1990.

Each school district shall be required to develop and implement a plan for a school breakfast program in severe need schools.  Each school district shall submit data enabling the Superintendent of Public Instruction to determine which schools within the district will qualify as severe-need schools.  Severe-need schools are ones which qualify for a severe-need school reimbursement rate from federal funds for school breakfasts served to children from low-income families.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall adopt a schedule for implementation of school breakfast programs in severe-need schools as follows:  each district where at least 40 percent of lunches served to students are free or reduced- price lunches shall implement a school breakfast program in all severe-need schools within that district no later than the second day of school in the 1990-91 school year; school districts where at least 25 percent but less than 40 percent of lunches served are free or reduced-price lunches shall implement a school breakfast program in severe-need schools no later than the second day of school in the 1991-92 school year; and, school districts where less than 25 percent of lunches served are free or reduced-price lunches shall implement a school breakfast program in severe-need schools no later than the second day of the 1992-93 school year.

School districts which did not offer a school lunch program in the 1988-89 school year are encouraged to implement a school lunch program and provide a school breakfast program in all severe-need schools when eligible.

Students who are not eligible to receive free breakfasts in the schools which serve breakfasts,  may participate in this program and may be charged for their breakfasts.

School breakfast programs shall be supported entirely by federal funds and commodities, students charges, and available local funds.  If the federal reimbursement rate for breakfasts served in severe-need schools is reduced or eliminated, the requirements for the breakfast programs shall lapse.

The SPI shall conduct a study of the costs and feasibility of expanding the school breakfast program to include schools where more than 25 but less than 40 percent of lunches served are free or reduced-price lunches and submit a report by no later than January 15, 1992.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested