This Amendment incrementally increases the number of students who qualify for a free breakfast and lunch based on a student's household income over 5 years.

Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: S. Moore
Last action: 2025-04-15
Official status: Introduced and Placed With Bill
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Amendment to Expand Free School Meals Over Five Years

This amendment gradually raises the income limits for students who get free school meals over five years until all public school students qualify regardless of household income.

What This Bill Does

Requires public schools to provide a free breakfast and lunch to students whose household income is between 185% and 195% of the federal poverty level in the first year.
Increases the upper limit for free meals each subsequent year, reaching up to 205%, then 215%, and finally 225% of the federal poverty level over four years.
Requires public schools to provide a free breakfast and lunch to any student regardless of household income starting in the fifth year.

Who It Names or Affects

Public school districts that must follow these new meal rules
Students whose family income is between 185% and 225% of the federal poverty level during the first four years
All students in public schools starting in the fifth year

Terms To Know

Federal Poverty Level: A yearly income number set by the government used to decide if a family qualifies for certain benefits.
Household Income: The total amount of money earned by everyone living in one home or apartment.

Limits and Unknowns

The exact start date is not listed because the text uses a placeholder for when the law takes effect.
This amendment only mentions rules for public schools and does not mention private or charter school meal programs.

Bill History

2025-04-15 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced and Placed With Bill

Official Summary Text

This Amendment incrementally increases the number of students who qualify for a free breakfast and lunch based on a student's household income over 5 years. After 5 years, any student, regardless of household income, is eligible for a free breakfast and lunch.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. S. Moore

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

HOUSE BILL NO. 125

AMEND House Bill No. 125 on line 52 by deleting “

income.

” as it appears there in and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“

income, as follows:

(1) For a period of 1 year beginning on [the first day this Act takes effect], a public school shall make available a breakfast free of charge to any student whose household income is greater than 185% and below 195% of the federal poverty level.

(2) For a period of 1 year beginning on [the first day after paragraph (b)(1) of this section ends], a public school shall make available a breakfast free of charge to any student whose household income is greater than 185% and below 205% of the federal poverty level.

(3) For a period of 1 year beginning on [the first day after paragraph (b)(2) of this section ends], a public school shall make available a breakfast free of charge to any student whose household income is greater than 185% and below 215% of the federal poverty level.

(4) For a period of 1 year beginning on [the first day after paragraph (b)(3) of this section ends], a public school shall make available a breakfast free of charge to any student whose household income is greater than 185% and below 225% of the federal poverty level.

(5) Beginning on [the first day after paragraph (b)(4) of this section ends], a public school shall make available a breakfast free of charge to any student, regardless of the student’s household income.

”

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 125 on line 54 by inserting between “

income

” and the period therein the following:

“

income, as follows:

(1) For a period of 1 year beginning on [the first day this Act takes effect], a public school shall make available a lunch free of charge to any student whose household income is greater than 185% and below 195% of the federal poverty level.

(2) For a period of 1 year beginning on [the first day after paragraph (c)(1) of this section ends], a public school shall make available a lunch free of charge to any student whose household income is greater than 185% and below 205% of the federal poverty level.

(3) For a period of 1 year beginning on [the first day after paragraph (c)(2) of this section ends], a public school shall make available a lunch free of charge to any student whose household income is greater than 185% and below 215% of the federal poverty level.

(4) For a period of 1 year beginning on [the first day after paragraph (c)(3) of this section ends], a public school shall make available a lunch free of charge to any student whose household income is greater than 185% and below 225% of the federal poverty level.

(5) Beginning on [the first day after paragraph (c)(4) of this section ends], a public school shall make available a lunch free of charge to any student, regardless of the student’s household income.

”

SYNOPSIS

This Amendment incrementally increases the number of students who qualify for a free breakfast and lunch based on a student's household income over 5 years. After 5 years, any student, regardless of household income, is eligible for a free breakfast and lunch.