HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 739        FILED ON: 1/13/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 700

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Danillo A. Sena

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to provide universal school meals to commonwealth virtual schools.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 739        FILED ON: 1/13/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 700

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act to provide universal school meals to commonwealth virtual schools.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Section 94 of chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-

(v) The board shall require commonwealth virtual schools to make free lunches available to all students regardless of household income. Virtual schools shall maximize access to federal funds for the cost of breakfast and lunch by adopting: (i) the federal Community Eligibility Provision or Provision 2, pursuant to section 72A; or (ii) other applicable federal provisions, including, but not limited to, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Public Law 111-296. The department shall reimburse the difference between the amount paid by the United States Department of Agriculture and the free rate as set annually by the United States Secretary of Agriculture under 42 U.S.C. 1759a for each school.