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Senate hears support for optional expansion of free school meals to 200% FPL
Summary
SB 517 would let local school boards opt in to raise free meal eligibility to 200% of federal poverty level, with the state sharing half of non‑federally reimbursed costs; hunger advocates and the American Heart Association urged passage while flagging the bill’s fiscal note.
Senate Education Committee heard testimony on SB 517 on Feb. 25, a sponsor‑led proposal to let local school boards opt in to provide free school meals to students up to 200% of the federal poverty level.
Senator Donovan Fenton, prime sponsor, said the bill is optional, targeted and fiscally shared: districts may raise eligibility to 200% of the federal poverty level by local vote; the state would cover 50% of the difference for meals not covered by federal reimbursement; and the Department of…
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