Committee adopts privacy-protecting amendment for summer EBT data sharing and recommends bill as amended
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Summary
Lawmakers adopted an amendment requiring an opt-in/opt-out checkbox on free and reduced-price lunch forms before addresses are shared with DHHS for summer EBT distribution, then recommended HB 17 27 Ought to Pass as amended by roll call (14—1).
The committee debated House Bill 17 27, which would allow the Department of Education to share addresses of students who receive free and reduced-price lunches with the Department of Health and Human Services to deliver summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits.
Members expressed two competing aims: improving program delivery so eligible children automatically receive summer benefits, and protecting family privacy and autonomy over personal information. The chair proposed — and the committee adopted — a subsequent amendment that places an explicit opt-in/opt-out question on the free/reduced lunch application form so families can authorize sharing their address solely for summer EBT distribution.
Representative Grotta (who moved the subsequent amendment) said the change preserves parental choice while enabling efficient benefit delivery for families that want it. Representative Pearson confirmed in committee testimony that program funds come from the federal government with the state covering administrative costs. After amendment adoption, the committee voted Ought to Pass as amended on a roll call reported 14–1; the committee placed the bill on the calendar and asked agencies to coordinate operational details.
What happens next: the Department of Education will need to modify the free/reduced-lunch form to include the opt-in/opt-out language and develop a secure data-sharing protocol with DHHS; the committee expects agencies to report back if operational issues arise.
