as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/01/2010 08:56am
A bill for an act
relating to education; requiring equal treatment of students eligible for free
or reduced price meals; prohibiting certain collection activities; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 124D.111, by adding subdivisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 124D.111, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
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No school
district, charter school, nonpublic school, or other participant in the national school lunch
program that receives state funding under subdivision 1 may:
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(1) physically segregate, discriminate against, or in any way stigmatize any child
eligible for a free or reduced price lunch;
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(2) make any overt or distinguishable identification of a child eligible for free
or reduced price lunch through special lines, tickets, alternative meals, announced or
published lists of names, or any other publicly identifiable means; or
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(3) deny lunch to a child eligible for reduced price lunch who lacks sufficient funds
or has unpaid lunch debts.
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This section is effective July 1, 2010.
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Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 124D.111, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
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(a) No entity attempting to collect
unpaid school lunch debts from households may:
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(1) take any action directed at a child in the household, including withholding
educational opportunities or engaging in any behavior prohibited under subdivision 4; or
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(2) associate or contract with, or in any other way utilize or employ the services of,
a collection agency, as defined in section 332.31, subdivision 3, to attempt to collect
unpaid lunch debts from households.
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(b) An entity collecting or attempting collection of unpaid school lunch debts from
households must comply with section 332.37.
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(c)
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A household alleging violation by a school of section 332.37, has the rights
provided under section 332.39.
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This section is effective July 1, 2010.
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