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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
students; unpaid school meal fees
Purpose
Requires a public school to ensure that a student whose parent or guardian has not paid school meal fees is not shamed, treated differently or served a meal that differs from what a pupil without school lunch debt receives. Prohibits school personnel from taking disciplinary action against a pupil that results in the denial or delay of a meal.
Background
The Arizona
Department of Education (ADE) must develop minimum nutrition standards that meet federal guidelines and regulations for
foods and beverages sold or served on the school grounds of elementary schools,
middle schools and junior high schools (schools) during the school day. School
districts that offer instruction in grades 9 through 12 may adopt nutrition
standards for high school campuses. Food and beverages sold or served on school
grounds or at school-sponsored events during the normal school day must meet
the nutrition standards developed by ADE, including food and beverage
offered: 1) as a la carte items in the food service program; and 2) in vending
machines, snack bars and meal-period kiosks and at school stores. The nutrition
standards may include portion sizes, minimum nutrient values and a listing of
contents (A.R.S
§ 15-242).
A school that participates in the federal National
School Lunch Program or federal School Breakfast Program must follow a set of
regulations regarding the food and beverage items that a school may serve,
including requirements relating to: 1) fruit and vegetable portion sizes; 2)
whole grains;
3) limits on sodium and unhealthy fat; 4) offering low-fat and fat free milk;
and 5) age-appropriate calorie minimums and maximums (ADE).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires a public school to ensure that a student whose parent or guardian has not paid the student's school meal fees is not shamed, treated differently or served a meal that differs from what a student who does not have unpaid school meal fees receives under the public school's policy.
2. Prohibits school personnel and volunteers at a public school that serves meals that meet nutritional standards from taking disciplinary action against a student that results in the denial or delay of a meal that meets the nutritional standards.
3. Specifies that a public school is not prohibited from serving an alternative meal to a student who requires a special meal for a dietary or religious reason.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 12, 2024
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