S 4518
Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026
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Bill overview
This bill, the Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026, aims to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students enrolled in participating schools. It proposes significant changes to the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, including establishing a national average payment for free breakfasts and lunches, and eliminating debt collection for unpaid meal charges. The bill also incorporates provisions related to locally-sourced farm products and addresses data collection for identifying economically disadvantaged students.
Key provisions
- Provides free breakfast and lunch to all students enrolled in participating schools.
- Establishes a national average payment rate for free breakfasts and lunches, adjusted annually for inflation.
- Requires schools to not collect debt for unpaid meal charges.
- Includes a provision for locally-sourced farm products, offering additional reimbursement to schools using them.
- Eliminates eligibility requirements for free lunch, making all students eligible.
- Modifies the Child and Adult Care Food Program to provide free meals.
- Updates the definition of ‘economically disadvantaged students’ for various programs.
- Includes provisions to ensure school meals are provided without shame or discrimination.
Who is affected
- Students in elementary and secondary schools
- School food authorities
- State educational agencies
- Families of students
- The Department of Agriculture
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
S. 4518
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
A BILL
To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to make breakfasts and lunches free for all children, and for other purposes.
.Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026
Unless otherwise provided, this Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall take effect 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
by striking is hereby
and inserting are
; and
to provide free breakfast to all children enrolled at those schoolsbefore
in accordance.
Section 4(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773(b)) is amended—
in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking subclause (II) and inserting the following:
by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
The national average payment for each free breakfast shall be $3.28, adjusted annually for inflation in accordance with clause (ii) and rounded in accordance with clause (iii).
The annual inflation adjustment under clause (i) shall reflect changes in the cost of operating the free breakfast program under this section, as indicated by the change in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for all urban consumers.
Each inflation annual adjustment under clause (i) shall reflect the changes in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for the most recent 12-month period for which that data is available.
On July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the national average payment rate for free breakfast shall be—
adjusted to the nearest lower-cent increment; and
based on the unrounded amounts for the preceding 12-month period.
by striking subparagraphs (C) and (E); and
by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (C);
by striking paragraphs (2) and (3);
by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and
in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by striking paragraph (3) or (4)
and inserting paragraph (2)
.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.) or any other provision of law, effective beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, as a condition of participation in the breakfast program under section 4 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1773), a school—
shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal charges; and
shall continue to accrue debt for unpaid meal charges—
for the purpose of receiving reimbursement under section 212; and
until the effective date specified in section 2.
A school participating in the free breakfast program under this section shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal charges.
Section 23(a) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1793(a)) is amended by striking school in severe need, as described in section 4(d)(1)
and inserting the following:
school—
that has a free breakfast program under section 4 or seeks to initiate a free breakfast program under that section; and
of which not less than 40 percent of the students are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)))
in paragraph (1)(A), in the second sentence, by striking free or
and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting free to all children enrolled at a school participating in the school breakfast program.
; and
the full charge to the student for a breakfast meeting the requirements of this section or.
physically segregate for the purpose of debt shaming or otherwise discriminate against any child participating in the breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773); or
overtly identify a child described in clause (i) by a special token or ticket, an announced or published list of names, or any other means; and
shall provide the program meal to any child eligible under the program.
Section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) is amended by adding at the end the following:
physically segregate for the purpose of debt shaming or otherwise discriminate against any child participating in the free breakfast program under this section; or
overtly identify a child described in paragraph (1) by a special token or ticket, an announced or published list of names, or any other means.
Section 20(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1789(b)) is amended by striking and shall determine
and all that follows through under this section.
.
by striking or reduced price
each place it appears;
by striking and reduced price
each place it appears; and
by striking a reduced price
each place it appears.
Section 4(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1753(b)) is amended—
by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
The national average payment for each free lunch shall be $5.42, adjusted annually for inflation in accordance with subparagraph (C) and rounded in accordance with subparagraph (D).
is marketed to consumers—
directly; or
through intermediated channels (such as food hubs and cooperatives); and
with respect to the school food authority purchasing the farm product, is produced and distributed—
in the State in which the school food authority is located; or
not more than 250 miles from the location of the school food authority.
$0.21 for each free breakfast; and
$0.08 for each free supplement.
The State agency shall disburse funds made available under this clause to school food authorities eligible to receive additional reimbursement.
The annual inflation adjustment under subparagraphs (A) and (B)(iii) shall reflect changes in the cost of operating the free lunch program under this Act, as indicated by the change in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for all urban consumers.
Each annual inflation adjustment under subparagraphs (A) and (B)(iii) shall reflect the changes in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for the most recent 12-month period for which that data is available.
On July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the national average payment rate for free lunch and the additional payment amount for free breakfast, lunch, supper, and supplement under subparagraph (B) shall be—
adjusted to the nearest lower-cent increment; and
based on the unrounded amounts for the preceding 12-month period.
by striking paragraph (3).
Section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758) is amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
All children enrolled in a school that participates in the school lunch program under this Act shall be eligible to receive free lunch under this Act.
or at a reduced cost; and
in subsection (e), by striking , reduced price,
.
Section 28 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769i) is amended—
by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).
by striking clause (i); and
by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively.
in accordance with section 9(b)(1) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(1).
Section 4301 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. 1758a) is repealed.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) or any other provision of law, effective beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, as a condition of participation in the school lunch program under that Act, a school—
shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal charges; and
shall continue to accrue debt for unpaid meal charges—
for the purpose of receiving reimbursement under section 212; and
until the effective date specified in section 2.
A school participating in the school lunch program under this Act shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal charges.
Section 6 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1755) is amended—
in subsection (a)(2), by striking sections 11 and 13
and inserting section 13
; and
in subsection (e)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking section 4, this section, and section 11
and inserting this section and section 4
.
Section 7(d) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1756(d)) is amended by striking or 11
.
Section 8(g) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1757(g)) is amended by striking and under section 11 of this Act
.
Section 12(f) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(f)) is amended by striking 11,
.
Section 7(a) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1766(a)) is amended—
in paragraph (1)(A), by striking 4, 11, and 17
and inserting 4 and 17
; and
in paragraph (2)(A), by striking sections 4 and 11
and inserting section 4
.
Section 1101(j)(3) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (7 U.S.C. 2011 note; Public Law 116–127) is amended—
or served under section 11(a)(1) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(d), 1759(a)(1))and inserting
of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(d)); and
by striking or reduced price
.
Section 12 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760) is amended—
in subsection (l)(4)—
by redesignating subparagraphs (E) through (M) as subparagraphs (D) through (L), respectively;
by striking subsection (p); and
by redesignating subsections (q) and (r) as subsections (p) and (q), respectively.
Section 13 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1761) is amended—
in subsection (a)—
in paragraph (1)(A)(i)—
have been determined eligible for free or reduced price school meals under this Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.)and inserting
are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)));
in subclause (II), by striking are eligible for free or reduced price school meals under this Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.)
and inserting are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)))
;
in subclause (III)(bb), by striking meet the income standards for free or reduced price school meals under this Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.)
and inserting are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)))
;
in subclause (IV), by striking are eligible for free or reduced price school meals under this Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.)
and inserting are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)))
; and
in subclause (V), by striking are eligible for free or reduced price school meals under this Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.)
and inserting are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)))
;
in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following:
If the Secretary determines that a program requirement under this section limits the access of children to meals served under this section, the Secretary may waive that program requirement.
All children shall be eligible to participate in the program under this section.
in paragraph (5), by striking only for
and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting for meals served to all children.
; and
in paragraph (13)—
in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking eligible for a free or reduced price lunch under this Act or a free or reduced price breakfast under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773)
and inserting an economically disadvantaged student (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)))
; and
eligible for free or reduced price lunch under this Act or free or reduced price breakfast under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773)and inserting
economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)));
in subsection (b)(2), by striking may only serve
and all that follows through migrant children
;
during school vacation at any time during an academic school year;
during a teacher in-service day; and
on days that school is closed due to a natural disaster, building repair, court order, or similar cause, as determined by the Secretary.
A service institution shall receive payments under this section for not more than 3 meals and 1 supplement per child per day.
, except thatand all that follows through
section.
Section 13A of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1762) is amended—
in clause (i), by striking and
at the end;
in clause (ii)—
and each year thereafter; and
by striking and
at the end; and
by inserting at the end the following:
for calendar year 2026, in an amount equal to $60, which may be proportionately higher consistent with the adjustments established under section 12(f) for each eligible child in the eligible household per month during the summer operational period; and
in subsection (c)(1)—
directly certifiedand all that follows through
this sectionand inserting
an economically disadvantaged student (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)));
by striking subparagraph (B); and
processes—and all that follows through
to reliablyin subparagraph (B) and inserting
processes to reliably; and
by—and all that follows through
establishingin subparagraph (B) and inserting
by establishing; and
in subsection (h), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
The term eligible child
means any child residing in a State or on land under the jurisdiction of a covered Indian Tribal organization that participates in the program established under this section.
Section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766) is amended—
in subsection (a)(2), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
an institution that serves those meals and supplements shall be reimbursed—
in the case of lunch, at the rate established for free lunch under section 4(b)(2)(A); and
in the case of a supplemental meal, $1.28, adjusted for inflation in accordance with section 4(b)(2)(C).
in subsection (f)—
in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
by striking paragraph (3); and
by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (3);
by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and
in subsection (r)—
in the subsection heading, by striking Program for at-risk school children
and inserting Afterschool meal and snack program
;
by striking at-risk school
each place it appears and inserting eligible
;
in paragraph (1)—
in the paragraph heading, by striking at-risk school
and inserting eligible
; and
in subparagraph (B), by striking operated
and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting a period; and
in paragraph (4)(A), by striking only for
and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following:
for—
not more than 1 meal and 1 supplement per child per day served on a regular school day; and
not more than 3 meals and 1 supplement per child per day served on any day other than a regular school day.
Section 17A of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766a) is amended—
in the section heading, by striking Meal supplements
and inserting Meals and supplements
;
in subsection (a)(1), by striking meal supplements
and inserting free meals and supplements
;
in subsection (b), by inserting meals and
before supplements
; and
by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
A free meal provided under this section to a child shall be reimbursed at a rate of $5.42, adjusted annually for inflation in accordance with paragraph (3)(A) and rounded in accordance with paragraph (3)(B).
A free supplement provided under this section to a child shall be reimbursed at the rate at which free supplements are reimbursed under section 17(c)(2)(C).
The annual inflation adjustment under paragraph (1)(A) shall reflect changes in the cost of operating the program under this section, as indicated by the change in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for all urban consumers.
Each inflation annual adjustment under paragraph (1)(A) shall reflect the changes in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for the most recent 12-month period for which that data is available.
On July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the reimbursement rate for a free meal under this section shall be—
adjusted to the nearest lower-cent increment; and
based on the unrounded amounts for the preceding 12-month period.
Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769) is amended—
serve a high proportion of economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)));
in subsection (h)(1)(A)(ii), by striking eligible for free or reduced price meals under this Act
and inserting economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)))
;
by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (j).
Section 19(d) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769a(d)) is amended—
in paragraph (1)—
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking paragraph (2) of this subsection and
;
in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking school—
and all that follows through submits
in clause (ii) and inserting school that submits
;
in subparagraph (B), by striking schools
and all that follows through Act
and inserting high-need schools (as defined in section 2211(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6631(b)))
; and
in subparagraph (D)—
by striking clause (i); and
by redesignating clauses (ii) through (iv) as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively; and
by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the following:
Section 21(a)(1)(B) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769b–1(a)(1)(B)) is amended in the matter preceding clause (i) by striking certified to receive free or reduced price meals
and inserting who are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)))
.
In this section:
The term delinquent debt means the debt owed by a parent or guardian of a child to a school—
as of the effective date specified in section 2; and
for meals served by the school under—
the school breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773);
the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.); or
both of the programs described in clauses (i) and (ii).
The term program means the program established under subsection (b)(1).
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
Not later than 60 days after the effective date specified in section 2, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall reimburse each school participating in a program described in clause (i) or (ii) of subsection (a)(1)(B) for all delinquent debt.
To carry out the program, the Secretary shall design and distribute a form to State agencies to collect data on all delinquent debt in applicable schools in the State, grouped by school food authority.
The Secretary shall provide all reimbursements under the program not later than 180 days after the effective date specified in section 2.
Not later than 2 years after the effective date specified in section 2, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress and make publicly available a report that describes the successes and challenges of the program.
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) is amended—
by striking or reduced price
each place it appears;
by striking or a reduced price
each place it appears;
by striking and reduced price
each place it appears; and
by striking a reduced price
each place it appears.
Section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)) is amended—
in subparagraph (A), by striking the number of children eligible for a free or reduced price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.)
and inserting the number of children from low-income backgrounds, identified under subparagraph (D)
; and
by adding at the end the following:
A local educational agency or State agency, for the purpose of identifying children from low-income backgrounds enrolled in a school served by a local educational agency, may—
maintain a record, with respect to each student for whom the local educational agency provides a free public education that contains the information collected from the survey described in clause (iii);
distribute and collect a student survey based on the template developed under clause (iii) to identify children from low-income backgrounds; and
utilize direct certification data described in clause (iv)(I) to identify children from low-income backgrounds.
All individual data collected under this subparagraph shall be protected by the local educational agency or State agency in a manner consistent with all applicable local, State, and Federal privacy laws.
Only aggregated data, which may include data disaggregated at the school, local educational agency, or State level, shall be reported to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may reasonably require.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the
Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026
, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall develop a template survey—The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall have the authority to take such steps as are necessary to provide for the orderly transition to, and implementation of—
activities that are necessary for the continuity of direct certification carried out by local educational agencies and State agencies specified in paragraphs (4), (5), and (15) section 9(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, as in effect on September 30, 2022, for the purposes of identifying any child eligible for free or reduced priced lunch under such Act, as in effect on such date, as a child from a low-income background;
procedures for verification of information collected under this subparagraph, which may include procedures modeled on the requirement specified in section 9(b)(3) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, as in effect on September 30, 2022; and
data privacy provisions for information collected under this subparagraph, in accordance with the requirements specified in section 9(b)(6) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, as in effect on September 30, 2022.
For the purposes of subparagraph (A), a local educational agency may determine the number of children from low-income backgrounds enrolled in a school served by such agency using one or more of the following methods:
Results from surveys specified in clause (i)(II).
Direct certification data specified in clause (i)(III).
Utilization of both methods described in subclauses (I) and (II).
by redesignating subsections (v) through (x) as subsections (u) through (w), respectively.
Section 11(e) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020(e)) is amended—
in paragraph (8)(F), by striking or subsection (u)
; and
in paragraph (26)(B), by striking (x)
and inserting (w)
.
The percentage of students aged 5 through 17 in poverty counted in the most recent census data approved by the Secretary.
The percentage of students in families receiving assistance under the State program funded under the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families established under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
The percentage of students eligible to receive medical assistance under the program of medical assistance established under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
A composite of two or more of the measures described in clauses (i) through (iii).
that has a 7th grade; and
in which—
at least 50 percent of the students enrolled are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965); or
if an eligible entity determines that it would promote the effectiveness of a program, an entire grade level of students, beginning not later than the 7th grade, reside in public housing, as defined in section 3(b)(1) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(1)).
in paragraph (1)(B), by striking qualify for a free or reduced price school lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.)
and inserting are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965)
; and
in paragraph (5), by striking eligible for a free or reduced price school lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.)
and inserting economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965)
.
by striking clause (i); and
by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively.
by striking subparagraph (B); and
Section 6122(3) of the America COMPETES Act (20 U.S.C. 9832(3)) is amended by striking data on children eligible for free or reduced-price lunches under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act,
.
Section 3(36)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(36)(A)) is amended—
by striking clause (iv); and
Section 4(8) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n note; Public Law 107–368) is amended—
by striking subparagraph (A); and
Section 658O(b) of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858m(b)) is amended—
in paragraph (1)(B), by striking school lunch factor
and inserting economically disadvantaged students factor
; and
by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
In this subsection, the term economically disadvantaged students factor means the ratio of the number of children in the State who are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5))) to the number of such children in all the States as determined annually by the Secretary of Education.
Section 1404(b) of the Children’s Health Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 9859c(b)) is amended—
in paragraph (1)(B), by striking school lunch factor
and inserting economically disadvantaged students factor
; and
by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
In this subsection, the term economically disadvantaged students factor means the ratio of the number of children in the State who are economically disadvantaged students (as identified under a measure described in section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5))) to the number of such children in all the States as determined annually by the Secretary of Education.
Section 252(i) of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (34 U.S.C. 11162(i)) is amended to read as follows:
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the
Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026
, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall provide guidance to States relating to the options for school food authorities in the States to apply for reimbursement for free lunches under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) for juveniles who are incarcerated.