Tribal Nutrition Improvement Act of 2019

To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to improve nutrition in tribal areas, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Tribal Nutrition Improvement Act of 2019 2. Universal meal service in Native American areas Section 11 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1759a (f) Universal meal service in Native American areas (1) In general The Secretary shall identify, for optional use in local educational agencies on or near Indian reservations, alternatives to— (A) the daily counting by category of meals provided by school lunch programs under this Act and the school breakfast program established by section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773 (B) the use of annual applications as the basis for eligibility to receive free meals or reduced price meals under this Act; and (C) the use of universal meal service described in subsections (a)(1)(F) and (g). (2) Use of alternatives Alternatives described in paragraph (1) may be— (A) implemented for use in schools or by school food authorities that agree— (i) to serve all breakfasts and lunches to all students at no cost; (ii) to pay, from sources other than Federal funds, the costs of serving any lunches and breakfasts that are in excess of the value of assistance received under this Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1771 (iii) not to collect applications for free or reduced price meals; or (B) further tested through demonstration projects carried out by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (3). (3) Demonstration projects For the purpose of carrying out demonstration projects described in paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary may waive any requirement of this Act relating to— (A) counting and claiming of meals provided by school lunch or breakfast programs; and (B) determinations of eligibility for free or reduced priced meals. . 3. School lunch program and child and adult care food program Section 12(d) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1760(d) (8) State The term State (A) any of the 50 States; (B) the District of Columbia; (C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; (D) the Virgin Islands; (E) Guam; (F) American Samoa; (G) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; or (H) an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5304 . 4. Summer food service program for children Section 13(a)(1)(E) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1761(a)(1)(E) (1) in clause (vi), by striking and (2) in clause (vii), by striking the period and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (viii) an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5304 . 5. Administrative and start up funds Section 7(c) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1776(c) (1) by striking (c) If any State agency (c) Adjustment in administrative funds (1) Administration by a State agency If any State agency ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (2) Administration by an Indian tribe (A) In general If an Indian tribe agrees to assume responsibility for the administration of the school breakfast program under section 4 or the school lunch program, summer food service program for children, or child and adult care food program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act 42 U.S.C. 1751 (B) Start up funds The adjustment in administrative funds described in subparagraph (A) shall consist of an amount for start up funds, negotiated with the Indian tribe, of not less than $10,000 nor more than $100,000 for each fiscal year. . 6. School breakfast program Section 15 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1784 (1) State The term State (A) any of the 50 States; (B) the District of Columbia; (C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; (D) the Virgin Islands; (E) Guam; (F) American Samoa; (G) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; or (H) an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5304 .

Summary: Tribal Nutrition Improvement Act of 2019 This bill allows an Indian tribe to assume, from a nearby local educational agency (LEA) and in lieu of a state, responsibility for administration of the school breakfast program, the school lunch program, the child and adult care food program, or the summer food service program for children.  The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must identify, for optional use in LEAs on or near Indian reservations, alternatives to current program requirements related to the daily counting of meals by category, the use of annual applications to determine program eligibility, and the use of universal meal service. USDA may implement such alternatives, as limited by the bill, as well as further test them in demonstration projects. The bill also requires USDA to increase the amount of administrative funds paid to an Indian tribe that agrees to assume responsibility for the administration of one of the specified food programs.