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This bill would prohibit schools from publicly identifying or otherwise stigmatizing children participating in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program who either don’t have funds to pay for a meal or have an outstanding credit from a school food authority. Such children couldn’t be forced to wear a wristband or hand stamp, perform chores that other students aren’t generally assigned to, or dispose of food after it has been served to them.

Any communications related to outstanding credit would have to be directed to the child’s parent or guardian. A child may be required to deliver a letter regarding outstanding credit that’s addressed to the parent or guardian if the letter isn’t distributed in a way that stigmatizes the child.

This bill would also express the sense of Congress that schools should be provided with lunch or breakfast at school regardless of their ability to pay, those who can’t pay shouldn’t be provided an alternate meal, and schools should explore innovative ways to improve communications and payments with parents.

","official_title":"To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to prohibit the stigmatization of children who are unable to pay for meals.","short_title":"Anti-Lunch Shaming Act of 2017","popular_title":null,"short_summary":"Anti-Lunch Shaming Act of 2017 \n\nThis bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to establish requirements for the treatment of a child who is a student at a school participating in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program and is unable to pay for a meal at the school.\n\nThe bill applies to a child who either does not have funds to pay for a meal or has outstanding credit that was extended by a school food authority (SFA).\n\nA SFA may not permit public identification or stigmatization of the child, such as by requiring a wristband or hand stamp. The child also may not be required to: (1) perform chores or activities that are not required of students generally, or (2) dispose of food after it has been served to the child.\n\nAny communication related to outstanding credit must be directed to the child's parent or guardian. A child may be required to deliver a letter regarding outstanding credit that is addressed to a parent or guardian if the letter...","summarized":true,"cost":null,"cost_commentary":"A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.","impact":"Children who would otherwise be lunch shamed; parents; school administrators and teachers.","argument_for":"It’s wrong for schools to discriminate against or stigmatize children because their parents haven’t paid their school meal bills. 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Should Schools be Prohibited From “Lunch Shaming” Children Unable to Pay for a Meal?