COLLEGE MEAL PLAN EXEMPT ACT

Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB4240

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104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB4240

Introduced 1/14/2026, by Rep. Jed Davis

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the College Meal Plan Medical Exemption Act. Allows a student
to submit to a postsecondary institution a medical exemption statement
from a medical provider indicating that the student has a medical
condition, allergy, dietary restriction, or other health-related need
inconsistent with participation in a mandatory meal plan. Sets forth
provisions concerning the submission of the medical exemption. Provides
that a student who submits a medical exemption may not be charged any
portion of a mandatory meal plan. Prohibits an institution from imposing
other requirements, charges, or fees. Allows the student to voluntarily
purchase an optional meal plan if offered by the institution. Sets forth
certain housing protections, and prohibits certain institutional
practices. Requires each institution to publish its medical exemption
process prominently on its website; sets forth what information must be
published. Provides for refunds and penalties for violations of the Act.
Allows the Board of Higher Education to adopt rules. Contains a
severability clause. Effective June 1, 2027.
LRB104 16700 LNS 30104 b
STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT
MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

HB4240
LRB104 16700 LNS 30104 b
1

AN ACT concerning education.

2

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3
represented in the General Assembly:

4

Section 1.
Short title.
This Act may be cited as the
5
College Meal Plan Medical Exemption Act.

6

Section 5.
Purpose.
The purpose of this Act is to protect
7
students from mandatory meal plan charges if a medical
8
condition prevents safe participation in a college or
9
university meal program. This Act ensures full exemption from
10
such charges and prohibits postsecondary institutions from
11
imposing additional fees, housing surcharges, or other
12
financial conditions to circumvent the exemption.

13

Section 10.
Definitions.
As used in this Act:
14

"Institution" means a public or private college,
15
university, or other postsecondary institution operating in
16
this State that requires a meal plan for some or all of its
17
residential students.
18

"Mandatory meal plan" means a meal plan required as a
19
condition of enrollment, housing, or participation in campus
20
residential life, regardless of label, pricing tier, or
21
structure.
22

"Medical exemption" means a written statement from a

HB4240
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LRB104 16700 LNS 30104 b
1
medical provider indicating that a student has a medical
2
condition, allergy, dietary restriction, or other
3
health-related need that is inconsistent with participation in
4
a mandatory meal plan.
5

"Medical provider" means a licensed physician, physician
6
assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse.
7

"Student" means an individual subject to a mandatory meal
8
plan at an institution.

9

Section 15.
Submission of medical exemption.
10

(a) An institution shall process a student's medical
11
exemption within 10 business days after submission of the
12
medical exemption to the institution.
13

(b) A medical exemption may not be denied, limited, or
14
conditioned by an institution.
15

(c) An institution may not request that additional
16
documentation be submitted beyond the medical exemption
17
submission.
18

(d) A submitted medical exemption remains valid for one
19
academic year, unless the medical provider indicates that the
20
medical exemption is permanent.

21

Section 20.
Full exemption from charges; voluntary
22
purchase.
23

(a) A student who submits a medical exemption may not be
24
charged any portion of a mandatory meal plan.

HB4240
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LRB104 16700 LNS 30104 b
1

(b) An institution may not impose any of the following on a
2
student who submits a medical exemption:
3

(1) Minimum meal requirements.
4

(2) Partial or prorated meal plan charges.
5

(3) Administrative fees.
6

(4) Access fees.
7

(5) Service fees.
8

(6) Wellness or nutrition fees.
9

(7) Infrastructure or dining facility fees.
10

(8) Any other fee or financial obligation, however
11

labeled, that has the effect of charging a student for
12

meal plan participation following the submission of a
13

medical exemption.
14

(c) A student with a submitted medical exemption may
15
voluntarily purchase an optional meal plan if offered by an
16
institution, but no institution may condition housing access
17
or enrollment on voluntary purchase.

18

Section 25.
Housing protections.
19

(a) An institution may not increase housing charges for a
20
student, impose additional housing fees on a student, or
21
require a student to reside in a different or more expensive
22
housing assignment due to receipt of a medical exemption from
23
the student.
24

(b) No student may be penalized in housing priority,
25
placement, or availability due to the student's medical

HB4240
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LRB104 16700 LNS 30104 b
1
exemption.

2

Section 30.
Prohibited practices.
No institution may:
3

(1) bundle meal plan costs with housing charges for a
4

student with a submitted medical exemption;
5

(2) delay processing of a student's medical exemption
6

beyond 10 business days;
7

(3) condition a medical exemption submission on
8

disability classification, federal Section 504
9

eligibility, institutional approval, or additional
10

institutional review;
11

(4) deny housing to a student with a submitted medical
12

exemption; or
13

(5) impose academic, residential, or enrollment
14

restrictions on a student due to the student's submitted
15

medical exemption.

16

Section 35.
Transparency requirements.
17

(a) Each institution shall publish its medical exemption
18
process prominently on its website.
19

(b) The information required to be published under
20
subsection (a) must include:
21

(1) how to request a medical exemption;
22

(2) expected processing timelines; and
23

(3) contact information for assistance.
24

(c) An institution shall provide a student with written

HB4240
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LRB104 16700 LNS 30104 b
1
confirmation once the student submits a medical exemption.

2

Section 40.
Refund requirement.
An institution that
3
charges a student in violation of this Act shall issue a full
4
refund of the improper charges within 30 days after discovery
5
by the institution or notification by the student.

6

Section 45.
Penalty for violation.
7

(a) Any institution that violates this Act is subject to a
8
civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 per violation, to be
9
imposed by the Board of Higher Education after an
10
administrative proceeding is held as determined by rule.
11

(b) Each student affected by a violation of this Act
12
constitutes a separate violation of this Act.
13

(c) The Attorney General may bring an action in circuit
14
court to enforce the collection of any monetary penalty
15
imposed under this Section.
16

(d) A student may file a complaint with the Board of Higher
17
Education for a violation of this Act.

18

Section 50.
Act construction.
Nothing in this Act
19
prohibits an institution from offering an optional meal plan
20
or dining service to a student who voluntarily elects to
21
purchase an optional meal plan or dining service.

22

Section 90.
Rulemaking.
The Board of Higher Education may

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LRB104 16700 LNS 30104 b
1
adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer this
2
Act.

3

Section 97.
Severability.
The provisions of this Act are
4
severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.

5

Section 99.
Effective date.
This Act takes effect June 1,
6
2027.

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