Hawaii SB1192 ensures students cannot be denied school meals due to unpaid meal fees.

Hawaii SB1192 amends the school meals program to prohibit schools from denying meals to students solely due to unpaid meal fees. The bill mandates that schools must provide meals to students while their applications for free or reduced-price meals are being processed. It also prohibits schools from publicly identifying or stigmatizing students who cannot pay for meals, such as requiring them to wear identifying markers or perform tasks to pay off debts. The bill requires the Department of Education to communicate directly with parents or guardians about unpaid meal balances.

Hawaii SB1192 ensures students cannot be denied school meals due to unpaid meal fees.

Hawaii SB1192 amends the school meals program to prohibit schools from denying meals to students solely due to unpaid meal fees. The bill mandates that schools must provide meals to students while their applications for free or reduced-price meals are being processed. It also prohibits schools from publicly identifying or stigmatizing students who cannot pay for meals, such as requiring them to wear identifying markers or perform tasks to pay off debts. The bill requires the Department of Education to communicate directly with parents or guardians about unpaid meal balances.