No Shame at School Act of 2025
Summary
The "No Shame at School Act of 2025" amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. It mandates certification for students eligible for free or reduced-price meals and aims to reduce the stigma associated with unpaid school meal fees. The bill prohibits overt identification of children with unpaid meal fees and requires local educational agencies to attempt direct certification or provide application assistance.
Expected Effects
This act will likely increase the number of students certified for free or reduced-price meals. It will also change how schools address unpaid meal debt, focusing on reducing stigma and improving communication with families. Schools will need to adjust their policies and procedures to comply with the new requirements.
Potential Benefits
- Reduces stigma for children with unpaid meal fees.
- Ensures more eligible students are certified for free or reduced-price meals through mandatory certification.
- Requires proactive efforts from local educational agencies to identify and assist eligible families.
- Prevents schools from using debt collectors or directly communicating about debt with children.
- Retroactive reimbursement ensures schools are compensated for eligible meals served before certification.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased administrative burden on local educational agencies to implement mandatory certification and communication requirements.
- Potential for increased costs for schools due to retroactive reimbursement and unpaid meal debt.
- Possible challenges in balancing debt collection with the need to reduce stigma.
- May require additional training for school staff to comply with the new regulations.
- Potential for unintended consequences if communication strategies are not carefully implemented.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). By addressing food insecurity and reducing stigma, the act promotes the well-being of children. There are no apparent conflicts with specific constitutional provisions regarding individual rights or federalism.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).