HB22-1414 (Gonzales-Gutierrez & Michaelson-Jenet/Pettersen & Fields) Healthy Meals for all Public School Students
Summary
The bill refers a question to voters in November to fund a program to reimburse every meal served by a participating school district, support the ability for schools to purchase healthy and local food, and ensure fair wages to front-line food service employees.
Position
The Children’s Campaign supports this bill. Children need nutritious food to learn and thrive, and during the pandemic, Colorado districts have seen 20-40% more children utilizing school meals. The Healthy School Meals for All Program would make an investment in the public education of all children. It would ensure all students get the food they need to stay healthy; reduce stigma and divisions between students based on income and time in the lunch line; and lower district administrative costs associated with collecting school meal applications and tracking down school meal debts.
Current Status
The bill passed on a vote of 43-22 in the House last week and 23-12 in the Senate. It will now appear as a ballot measure in the November 2022 election.
Previous Status
May 6, 2022
The bill passed out of the House Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee. It now heads to Appropriations.
