AN ACT CONCERNING SCHOOL MEALS.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill specifies that only certain school districts qualify for grants, and these are those not using the Community Eligibility Provision.

Free School Meals Act

The bill requires all eligible school districts to provide free breakfasts for all students and free lunches for those who qualify under federal programs.

What This Bill Does

• Requires schools to give free breakfasts to all students.
• Provides free lunches to students who are eligible for reduced or free meals based on their family income.
• Eligible school districts can receive grants from the Department of Education to cover these costs.

Who It Names or Affects

• Students in public and charter schools
• School districts that participate in federal meal programs but do not use the Community Eligibility Provision

Terms To Know

Eligible school district

A local or regional board of education, state or local charter school, or interdistrict magnet school operator.

Community Eligibility Provision

The federal meal reimbursement program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill only applies for one fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
• School districts not using the Community Eligibility Provision are eligible for grants from the Department of Education.

Official Summary Text

To provide free school breakfasts to all students in the state and to provide free school lunches for all students who are eligible for free or reduced priced lunches in the state.

Current Bill Text

LCO 1283 1 of 2

General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5214
February Session, 2026 LCO No. 1283

Referred to Committee on EDUCATION

Introduced by:
(ED)

AN ACT CONCERNING SCHOOL MEALS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. ( Effective July 1, 2026 ) Notwithstanding the provisions of 1
sections 10 -215, 10 -215a and 10 -266w of the general statutes, for the 2
fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, each eligible school district shall (1) 3
provide (A) school breakfasts to all students at no charge to such 4
students, and (B) school lunches to all students eligible for free or 5
reduced priced lunch at no charge to such students, and (2) be eligible 6
to receive a grant from the Department of Education for such free school 7
breakfasts and school lunches. As used in this section, "eligible school 8
district" means a local or regional board of education, state or local 9
charter school or an interdistrict magnet school operator that (A) is 10
participating in the federal School Breakfast Program or the National 11
Lunch Program, as the case may be, and (B) is not implementing the 12
Community Eligibility Provision; and "Community Eligibility 13
Provision" means the federal meal reimbursement program 14
administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, as set 15
forth in 7 CFR 245.9, as amended from time to time. 16
Raised Bill No. 5214

LCO 1283 2 of 2

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:

Section 1 July 1, 2026 New section

ED Joint Favorable C/R APP