SECTION 1. Chapter 72 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting the following new section:
Section 72A: School districts shall qualify a student for free meal status if said child is a) under the legal custody or guardianship of a grandparent or other non-parent relative, b) a child with disabilities who receives Supplemental Security Income benefits pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1382, or c) a child with special needs who was formerly in foster care and whose caregivers now receive assistance under Title IV B or IVE guardianship or adoption assistance pursuant to 42 U.S.C.621.
The department of elementary and secondary education shall reimburse school districts for costs incurred under this section . The department shall take reasonable steps to determine whether such children qualify for direct certification of free school meals under 42 U.S.C. 1758 (b) (5), including children in receipt of MassHealth benefits in accordance with Chapter 118E of the General Laws.
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