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

This bill aims to amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act The amendments would make breakfasts and lunches free for all children The bill was introduced to the Senate and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

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 are required to 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 engaging in breakfast shaming or discriminating against children participating in the breakfast program. The Act removes references to 'reduced price' meals in several sections of the Child Nutrition Act.

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, adjusted annually for inflation. It defines 'locally-sourced farm product' as products 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 to eliminate free lunch eligibility requirements. All children enrolled in a participating school are eligible to receive free lunch. Schools are prohibited from collecting debt owed for unpaid meal charges. Conforming amendments are made to various sections of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and other laws.

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(d) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act is amended by striking ‘or 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.

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. Payments are limited to a maximum of 3 meals and 1 supplement per child per day. The language regarding migrant children has been removed.

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

This section amends Section 13A of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. It modifies benefit amounts for the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children (SEBTC) Program, setting a specific amount of $60 for calendar year 2026. For 2027 and subsequent years, benefit amounts will be based on the prior year's unrounded benefit amount, adjusted for changes in the cost of the diet described in section 3(u) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The definition of an 'eligible child' is revised to include any child residing in a State or on land under the jurisdiction of a covered Indian Tribal organization that participates in the program. The section modifies processes for determining eligibility and benefit distribution within the SEBTC program. It removes the term 'directly certified' and replaces it with 'an economically disadvantaged student (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965)'.

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

This section amends Section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The amendment expands the definition of private organizations providing nonresidential child care. Meals and supplements served under the program are provided for free to participants. Institutions serving meals are reimbursed at specific rates for breakfast, lunch, and supplements. There are limitations on the number of meals and supplements that can be reimbursed per child per day.

Back to bills

Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026

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

Author: Bernie Sanders (I-VT)

TL;DR (AI)

The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 makes breakfasts and lunches free for all children enrolled at participating schools.
Schools are prohibited from collecting debt owed for unpaid meal charges and must continue to accrue debt for reimbursement purposes.
The Act establishes a national average payment of $5.42 for each free lunch and $3.28 for each free breakfast, with annual inflation adjustments.
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 Act also expands the definition of private organizations providing nonresidential child care and provides for free meals and supplements to participants in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 8798(In Committee)Official page

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