Amendment #827 to H5500

Hunger Free Campus Initiative

Representatives Arena-DeRosa of Holliston, Domb of Amherst and Vargas of Haverhill moves to amend the bill in section 2 by inserting after item 1596-XXXX the following item:

1596-XXXX For the department of higher education to support a hunger-free campus initiative to address food insecurity at 2- and 4-year public institutions of higher education and minority-serving institutions, as defined by the United States Department of Education; provided further, that the department shall be authorized to award grants to campuses that maximize student enrollment in federal nutrition benefit programs, promote on-campus grocers that accept nutrition program benefits, increase access to meal cards and meal swipe options where feasible, maximize student access to on-campus or area food pantries in collaboration with regional food banks, and support other campus-designed projects to address student food insecurity; provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended for this item; provided further, that the department shall issue a request for proposals to eligible public institutions and award funds based on demonstrated need and implementation plans; provided further, that within 45 days following enactment, the department shall issue such request for proposals; and provided further, that within 90 days following enactment, the department shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on higher education, and the clerks of the house and senate detailing grantees and award amounts distributed to each; provided further that funding for the grant program shall include appropriations from the Education and Transportation Fund established in section 2BBBBBB of chapter 29.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #827 to H5500

Hunger Free Campus Initiative