Subcommittee keeps push for universal free school breakfast alive, continues HB 96
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Summary
A subcommittee hearing on House Bill 96 heard bipartisan patron testimony and numerous endorsements from health and child-advocacy groups; members voted to continue the bill for another year to refine participation and budget details.
Delegate Bennett Parker presented House Bill 96, telling the House Appropriations elementary and secondary subcommittee that the measure would provide free breakfast for all Virginia public school students. "House bill 96 would provide free breakfast for all Virginia public school students," Parker said, arguing the change would improve learning and behavior and reduce truancy. He described the measure as "an investment in their education" and cited pandemic-era universal meals and what he described as "tens of millions of dollars of school meal debt" as reasons the state should act.
Supporters representing more than 80 organizations spoke in favor during the hearing. Emily Moore of the American Heart Association said she and other coalition members back the bill as part of the Healthy School Meals for All Coalition. Other witnesses — including Sarah Steely of No Kid Hungry Virginia, Catherine Haines of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and Hannah Wyatt of the Virginia Poverty Center — urged passage, saying school breakfast improves health and academic outcomes and relieves household economic pressure.
Lisonbee Gilbrett, senior director of policy and programs at Voices for Virginia’s Children, testified virtually that reliable access to breakfast makes a “huge difference” for students, and Kalia Harris, executive director of the Virginia Student Power Project, said student advocates strongly support the bill and hope it advances this year.
Members of the subcommittee expressed support for the policy goal while stressing budget and implementation questions. One member moved to continue HB 96 for another year to allow additional refinement and to develop a sustainable approach. The subcommittee approved that motion by voice vote; the chair recorded no opposition.
The bill was not adopted at this session; the subcommittee’s action preserves HB 96 for further consideration and study during the next legislative cycle.
