What does Preamble of Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 do?

This bill proposes amendments to the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The stated purpose of the bill is to make breakfasts and lunches free for all children. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on May 13, 2026.

What does EFFECTIVE DATE. of Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 do?

This Act will take effect one year after its enactment. Amendments made by this Act will also take effect one year after enactment, unless otherwise specified.

What does FREE SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM. of Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to provide free breakfast to all children enrolled at participating schools. The national average payment for each free breakfast is set at $3.28, adjusted annually for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index for food away from home. States will disburse funds to schools selected by the state educational agency to operate breakfast programs. Schools are prohibited from collecting debt owed for unpaid meal charges and must continue to accrue debt for reimbursement purposes. Schools and school food authorities are prohibited from breakfast shaming or discriminating against children participating in the breakfast program, including overt identification methods. Nutritional and program requirements are modified to ensure free breakfasts are available to all enrolled children. The Department of Defense Overseas Dependents’ Schools provisions are amended.

What does APPORTIONMENT TO STATES. of Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 4(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. It establishes a national average payment of $5.42 for each free lunch, to be adjusted annually for inflation. It defines 'locally-sourced farm product' as a product marketed directly or through intermediaries, produced and distributed within the state or within 250 miles of the school food authority. School food authorities may receive an additional payment if their state certifies they served at least 25% locally-sourced farm products during the previous school year. The additional payment is $0.30 per free lunch and supper, $0.21 per free breakfast, and $0.08 per free supplement, also subject to annual inflation adjustments. Inflation adjustments are based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home. Payment rates will be rounded to the nearest lower-cent increment annually, starting July 1, 2026.

What does NUTRITIONAL AND OTHER PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. of Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to eliminate eligibility requirements for free school lunches, making all enrolled students eligible. The amendments remove references to 'reduced cost' and 'reduced price' in several sections of the National School Lunch Act. Section 17(d)(2)(A) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 is amended by striking and redesignating clauses. Paragraph (7) of Section 1902(a) of the Social Security Act is amended to provide safeguards restricting the use or disclosure of information concerning applicants and recipients. Section 1154(a)(2)(A)(i) of title 10, United States Code, is amended to remove a reference to section 9(b)(1) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. Section 4301 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 is repealed. Schools participating in the school lunch program are prohibited from collecting debt owed for unpaid meal charges, effective upon enactment of this Act. Schools may continue to accrue debt for unpaid meal charges for reimbursement purposes and until a specified effective date. The National School Lunch Act is amended to explicitly prohibit schools from collecting debt for unpaid meal charges.

What does SPECIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. of Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 do?

This section repeals Section 11 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. Several sections of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act are amended to remove references to section 11. Section 7(a) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 is amended to remove references to section 11. Section 1101(j)(3) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act is amended to remove references to meals served under section 11(a)(1) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and to reduced price meals.

What does PRICE FOR A PAID LUNCH. of Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 12 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. Subsection (l)(4) is modified by striking subparagraph (D) and redesignating subparagraphs (E) through (M) as (D) through (L). Subsection (p) is struck. Subsections (q) and (r) are redesignated as (p) and (q), respectively.

What does SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN. of Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 13 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. It modifies eligibility criteria for the Summer Food Service Program for Children, replacing references to 'eligible for free or reduced price school meals' with 'economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965).' The Secretary is granted the authority to waive program requirements that limit children's access to meals. All children are now eligible to participate in the program. Payments to service institutions are now made for meals served during May through September, school vacations, teacher in-service days, and days school is closed due to specific causes. Service institutions are limited to receiving payments for not more than 3 meals and 1 supplement per child per day.

What does SUMMER ELECTRONIC BENEFITS TRANSFER FOR CHILDREN PROGRAM. of Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to modify the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children (SEBTC) Program. For calendar year 2026, the benefit amount per eligible child is set at $60, potentially adjusted higher based on established adjustments. For 2027 and subsequent years, the benefit amount will be the unrounded benefit from the prior year, adjusted based on the cost of the diet described in section 3(u) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The definition of an eligible student is changed to an economically disadvantaged student as identified under section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Certain language within the program's processes is revised to improve reliability. The definition of 'eligible child' is established as any child residing in a State or on land under the jurisdiction of a covered Indian Tribal organization that participates in the program.

What does CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM. of Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to modify the Child and Adult Care Food Program. All meals and supplements served under the program will be provided for free to participants. Institutions serving meals and supplements will be reimbursed at rates established under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. Reimbursement limits are set to a maximum of 3 meals and 1 supplement per day per child. The program's name is changed from the 'Program for At-risk School Children' to the 'Afterschool Meal and Snack Program'. Eligibility criteria are revised, replacing 'at-risk school' with 'eligible'. Meal and supplement limits are adjusted, allowing for a maximum of 1 meal and 1 supplement per child on regular school days and 3 meals and 1 supplement on other days.

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Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026

Last updated: 5/13/2026 · Introduced: 5/13/2026

Author: Ilhan Omar (D-MN)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill mandates free breakfast and lunch for all students enrolled in participating schools, adjusting payment rates annually for inflation.
It establishes a national average payment of $5.42 for free lunches and provides an additional payment to schools utilizing locally-sourced farm products.
The bill eliminates eligibility requirements for free school lunches, making all enrolled students eligible regardless of income.
It creates a 'Reimbursement of School Meal Delinquent Debt Program' to reimburse schools for unpaid meal charges.
The bill modifies eligibility criteria for several food assistance programs, replacing references to free or reduced-price meals with a measure of economically disadvantaged students based on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

119th Congressin committeeS. 4518(In Committee)Official page

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