THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1287

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the food services branch.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that during the early stages of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there was an immediate closure of schools operated by the department of education.  For many students, this closure had the unfortunate effect of not only missing in-person learning, but also missing the meals provided at school.  The United States Department of Agriculture provided Grab N' Go meals as a supplement for students, but students living in rural areas were often not able to participate in this program due to the far commute or lack of available transportation.  For this reason, many administrators, students, and parents have requested to be part of the Emergency Meals-To-You program that sends food to students, but the department of education food services branch has not allowed participation in this program to certain schools that have already been designated as a department of education feeding site.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of education food services branch to participate in available federal meal programs when feasible.

     SECTION 2.  The department of education food services branch shall coordinate with the principals and vice principals of each school operated by the department of education to select the meal plan offered by the United States Department of Agriculture, if any, that best fits the student body and campus of the school.  The department of education food services branch shall not disqualify a school from application or participation in a federal program based on prior participation in any other program.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Student Meals; Department of Education Food Services Branch; United States Department of Agriculture

 

Description:

Requires the department of education food services branch to coordinate with the principals and vice principals of department schools to determine which school meal program offered by the USDA is the best fit for the student body and campus of each school.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.