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Kansas committee hears debate over bill that would restrict schools' use of federal Community Eligibility meals
Summary
The Committee on Government Efficiency heard competing testimony on SB 387, which would require written income verification for free-meal applicants and require legislative approval before districts could adopt the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Supporters said the bill would protect at-risk funding from overpayments; opponents warned it conflicts with federal law and would impose large unfunded costs and reduce access to meals.
The Senate Committee on Government Efficiency heard hours of testimony on SB 387, a bill that would require school districts to verify written proof of household income for students who apply for free school meals and would bar schools from using the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) without express legislative approval.
Senator Doug Shane (the bill sponsor) and proponents said the measure restores program integrity and protects state "at-risk" education dollars from alleged overpayments. "We know that there is a meaningful amount of overpayment," said State Senator Doug Shane during his proponent testimony, citing a 2023 legislative post audit that he said showed problems with at‑risk fund deployment.
Supporters framed CEP as a vehicle that can allow students from higher‑income households to receive free meals and argued the state should verify eligibility for…
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