FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5759

                              C 239 L 89

BYSenate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Bailey, Rinehart, Lee, Warnke, Talmadge, Moore, Bauer and Stratton)

Establishing a school breakfast program.

Senate Committee on Education

House Committe on Education

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

In October 1988, the Governor's Task Force on Hunger called for increased use 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 meals.  Where 40 percent or more of the children participating in the school lunch program qualify for a free and reduced priced lunch, schools receive $.95 for each free breakfast served.  In the 1989-90 school year that will increase to $.98 per breakfast.  These schools are identified as severe need schools under federal statute, 42 U.S.C. 1773, and federal regulation, 7 C.F.R. 220.9(e).  If the school is not identified as a severe need school, the reimbursement for each free breakfast is $.79 and will increase to $.82 in the 1989-90 school year.

SUMMARY:

The SPI is directed to conduct a study to determine why some schools are not participating in the national school lunch program and shall report its findings to the Legislature before January 15, 1990.

The office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall adopt a schedule for school districts to implement school breakfast programs in severe need schools as defined by federal law as follows:

School districts where 40 percent or more lunches served to students are free or reduced price lunches shall implement a school breakfast program in the severe need schools no later than the beginning of the 1990-91 school year.

School districts where 25-39 percent of lunches served to students are free or reduced price shall implement the breakfast program in all severe need schools by the beginning of the 1991-92 school year.

School districts where less than 25 percent of lunches served to students are free or reduced price lunches shall implement a school breakfast program in severe need schools by the beginning of the 1992-93 school year.

The requirements for a free breakfast program shall lapse if the federal reimbursement rate for breakfasts in severe need schools is eliminated.

SPI is directed to conduct a study of the costs and feasibility of expanding the school breakfast program to include schools where 25-39 percent of lunches served are free or reduced price.  This study is submitted to the Legislature before January 15, 1992.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   46    1

     House 74 21 (House amended)

     Senate          (Senate refused to concur)

     House           (House refused to recede)

Free Conference Committee

     House 76 21

     Senate   47    1

EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989