Bipartisan Ohio Senate Bill Proposes Free Public School Meals for Students
A new bipartisan bill aims to provide free meals to all Ohio public school students, with State Sen. Bill Blessing (R-Colerain Twp.) and State Sen. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) leading the effort. They hope to have the proposal included in the state’s two-year operating budget, which is due July 1.
The bill, Senate Bill 109, directs the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to reimburse schools participating in the National School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program. The reimbursements would cover the gap between federal funding for free and reduced-price meals and the actual cost of providing breakfast and lunch to all students. Additionally, the bill proposes $300 million in state funding to ensure no child is left out due to income eligibility requirements.
Blessing described the initiative as a “no-brainer” and a public good, emphasizing the importance of ensuring no child goes hungry at school. The proposal builds on a previous effort, Senate Bill 342, introduced in the last General Assembly.
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