A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-63-715 SO AS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS MUST BE OFFERED THE SAME FEDERALLY REIMBURSABLE MEAL AS INELIGIBLE STUDENTS, TO PROVIDE SUCH MEALS MUST BE OFFERED REGARDLESS OF WHETHER STUDENTS OWE MONEY FOR PREVIOUS MEALS, TO PROVIDE SCHOOLS THAT OFFER FOOD AND BEVERAGES SEPARATELY FROM FEDERALLY REIMBURSABLE MEALS MAY NOT ALLOW STUDENTS TO ACCRUE BALANCES WHEN PURCHASING SUCH ITEMS AND ONLY MAY ACCEPT CASH PAYMENT OR ALLOW FUNDS TO BE ELECTRONICALLY DRAWN FROM PREPAID BALANCES, TO PROVIDE SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY NOT PENALIZE STUDENTS FOR FAILING TO PAY FOR SCHOOL LUNCHES, AND TO PROVIDE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL DEVELOP AND PROVIDE A MODEL POLICY AND TEMPLATE REGARDING THE COLLECTION OF SCHOOL MEAL DEBT TO EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.      Article 7, Chapter 63, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

   Section 59-63-715.   (A) Students determined eligible for free and reduced meal benefits must be offered the same federally reimbursable meal as students not eligible for free and reduced meals as prescribed in 7 C.F.R. Part 215 and the Special Milk Program. Federally reimbursable meals must be offered even if the student owes money for previous meals to receive free lunches and students determined eligible to receive reduced price lunches must be offered the same choice of meals and milk offered to children who pay the full price for their meals or milk, regardless of whether one lunch or type of milk offered meets the requirements prescribed in the National School Lunch Program, found in 7 C.F.R. Part 210, and the Special Milk Program for Children, found in 7 C.F.R. Part 215. The provisions of this section do not prohibit a school from offering an alternate menu item to students who are required to pay full price or a reduced price for lunch but fails to pay as required.

   (B) Schools that offer food and beverages separately from federally reimbursable meals may not allow students to accrue a balance when purchasing items, and only may accept cash payment or allow funds to be electronically drawn from a prepaid balance.

   (C) A school or school district may not penalize students for failing to pay for a school lunch including, but not limited to, prohibiting students from attending field trips, participating in graduation or other recognition ceremonies, or attending other academically related activities.

   (D) The State Department of Education shall develop and provide a model policy and template regarding a collection of school meal debt to each school district.

SECTION 2.   This act takes effect July 1, 2025.

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