HR6795-119

What This Bill Does

The School MEALS Act updates the National School Lunch Act and related school-meal reporting law. It gives states more time to implement measures when direct certification rates lag, creates direct certification improvement grants for state agencies and Tribal organizations that administer school lunch programs, and prioritizes the lowest-performing states and Tribal organizations. Grant funds can improve technology, provide technical assistance to local educational agencies, revise certification systems, buy equipment, and coordinate with other public-benefit programs. On October 1, 2025, Treasury must transfer $28 million to the Secretary of Agriculture, with at least $2 million for Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations work and up to $3 million for technical assistance. The bill also broadens community eligibility counting windows, increases the direct-certification demonstration cap from 10 to 20 states, and requires reporting on technical assistance and progress for weak certification rates.

Who Benefits and How

Low-income students benefit when eligible children are automatically certified for free school meals without a separate household application. State school meal agencies and Tribal organizations benefit from grants to upgrade data systems, equipment, and public-benefit coordination. Local educational agencies benefit from technical assistance and improved certification processes. Tribal food distribution programs benefit from a dedicated minimum funding reservation. High-poverty schools benefit from more flexible community eligibility counting windows.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The Secretary of Agriculture and USDA nutrition staff must administer grants, prioritize low certification rates, provide technical assistance, and report on state progress. State agencies and Tribal organizations receiving grants must use funds for system improvements and document results. Federal taxpayers fund the $28 million transfer. Schools and local educational agencies may need to update counts, systems, and coordination processes.

Key Provisions

• Expands the direct-certification corrective-measure timeline for low-performing states.
• Authorizes $28 million in mandatory funding for direct certification grants and technical assistance.
• Provides grants to state agencies and Tribal organizations to improve direct certification systems, technology, equipment, and public-benefit coordination.
• Requires at least $2 million for Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations certification work and allows up to $3 million for technical assistance.
• Expands community eligibility counting windows and raises the demonstration cap from 10 to 20 states.
• Requires reports on technical assistance and progress for states with low direct certification performance.