Hunger Free Summer for Kids Act of 2015

To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require alternative options for program delivery. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Hunger Free Summer for Kids Act of 2015 2. Alternative options for program delivery Section 13 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1761 (1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following: (13) Alternative options for program delivery (A) In general To reach children that do not have readily available access to meals provided under this section, the Secretary shall establish 2 alternative options for program delivery, including summer food service program meals delivered through— (i) an electronic benefit card (referred to this paragraph as an EBT card (ii) off-site consumption in accordance with subparagraph (D). (B) Purpose The Secretary shall design and implement the alternative options described in subparagraph (A) so as— (i) to increase program effectiveness and efficiency; (ii) to improve child nutrition; and (iii) to reduce food insecurity among children. (C) Electronic benefit transfer card (i) In general As an alternative to the meals provided by eligible service institutions and private nonprofit organizations at congregate feeding sites, the Secretary shall establish an option for States, beginning in summer 2018, to issue EBT cards to children eligible to participate in the program. (ii) Amount (I) In general Subject to subclause (III), the value of an EBT card under this subparagraph shall be $30, less administrative expenses, for each child. (II) Annual limitation No child may receive more than $100 under this subparagraph in any 12-month period. (III) Adjustment Each January 1, the Secretary shall adjust the value described in subclause (I) by the same percentage as the adjustment made under subsection (b)(1)(B). (iii) Timing of issuance EBT cards under this subparagraph may be used only when school is out of session for the summer period, as defined by the Secretary. (iv) Use of benefits (I) In general An EBT card issued under this subparagraph may be used only for the purchase of food from retail stores approved for participation in the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children established by section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 42 U.S.C. 1786 (II) Benefit redemption A retail store shall redeem EBT card benefits under this subparagraph in the same manner as benefit redemption under the special supplemental nutrition program described in subclause (I). (v) Administration In administering the alternative option described in clause (i), the Secretary shall ensure that— (I) EBT cards are issued only to children residing— (aa) in a rural area, as defined by the Secretary; or (bb) outside an area in which poor economic conditions exist; (II) EBT cards are not issued in an area in which congregate feeding sites are operating until the date on which the Secretary promulgates a regulation to prevent duplication in benefits received; (III) not more than 2.5 percent of the amount of benefits described in clause (ii)(I) is used for administrative expenses; (IV) EBT cards are issued to children only through an application process developed by the Secretary; and (V) EBT cards are issued only to children who have been determined to be eligible for free or reduced price school meals under this Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq. (D) Off-site consumption (i) In general The Secretary shall establish an option for service institutions, beginning in summer 2018, to provide summer food service program meals for children eligible to participate in the program to consume off-site. (ii) Availability The option described in clause (i) shall be available to children only when at least 1 of the following conditions is present: (I) The child lives in a rural area, as defined by the Secretary. (II) The child lives outside an area in which poor economic conditions exist. (III) The program is available to the child at a congregate feeding site but— (aa) the site is closed due to extreme weather conditions; (bb) violence or other public safety concerns in the area prevent the child from traveling safely to the site; (cc) the site is only open 4 or fewer days a week; or (dd) the site only provides 1 meal per day. (iii) Administration In administering the alternative option described in clause (i), the Secretary shall ensure that— (I) when providing meals under the condition described in clause (ii)(III)(cc), the number of meals served to each child in a single meal service is limited to 2 meals; and (II) any meal served meets the same standards for safety and quality as a meal served at a congregate feeding site. (E) Scope In implementing the alternative options described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall— (i) permit States to operate either alternative option but prohibit States from operating both alternative delivery options simultaneously in the same area; and (ii) permit States to implement either alternative option in some or all eligible areas in a State. (F) Program integrity Not later than October 1, 2017, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations, with an opportunity for notice and comment, to ensure the integrity of the 2 alternative options for program delivery described in this paragraph. ; and (2) in subsection (n)— (A) by striking and (6) (6) (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (7) the plans of the State for using 1 or both of the alternative options for program delivery described in subsection (a)(13).

Summary: Hunger Free Summer for Kids Act of 2015 This bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to establish electronic benefit (EBT) cards and off-site consumption as two alternative delivery options for schools and service institutions in the summer food service program for children. These options shall be available to a child only if the child lives either in a rural area or outside of an area in which poor economic conditions exist, or, in the case of off-site consumption, if the summer program is available to the child at a congregate feeding site but the site is inaccessible, as specified by the bill. A state may not operate the EBT card option and the off-site consumption option simultaneously in the same area. Each state desiring to participate in the summer food service program shall include in its annual management and administration plan the state's plans for using one or both of these alternative delivery options.