SF 5152

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/26/2024 09:58am

A bill for an act
relating to education finance; creating a pilot project to provide school meals to
students attending online school programs; requiring a report; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; SCHOOL MEALS FOR ONLINE STUDENTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sum indicated in this section is
appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education in the fiscal year
designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Online student school meals pilot program. new text end

new text begin (a) For grants for a pilot program
providing school meals for students attending online school programs according to section
1:
new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin ....... new text end

new text begin ..... new text end

new text begin 2025 new text end

new text begin (b) A school district or charter school operating an online learning program may apply
for a grant to partner with an established nonprofit provider of meals to provide free school
meals to its online students in the form and manner specified by the commissioner. The
commissioner must award at least one grant to a program serving students living primarily
in greater Minnesota and at least one grant to a program serving students living primarily
in the metropolitan area.
new text end

new text begin (c) A grantee must provide free meals to students enrolled in the school's online program.
The meals must be ready-to-eat or require minimal preparation. The grantee may distribute
the meals on a weekly schedule or other schedule approved by the commissioner. The meals
may be distributed from central or regional locations.
new text end

new text begin (d) A school district or charter school receiving a grant under this section must report
the number of meals provided to each online student to the commissioner of education. By
January 15 of each fiscal year, the commissioner of education must report to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten
through grade 12 education on the number of grants awarded, the number of online students
receiving school meals from the pilot program, and a summary of the types of food delivered
to the online students. By January 15, 2026, the commissioner must make recommendations
about expanding the program and suggest ways to increase the efficiency of delivery of
meals to online students.
new text end

new text begin (e) Up to five percent of the appropriation may be retained for grant management.
new text end

new text begin (f) This appropriation does not cancel but is available until June 30, 2026.
new text end