School Hunger Elimination Act of 2022

To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to improve program requirements, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the School Hunger Elimination Act of 2022 2. Universal Medicaid direct certification Section 9(b)(15) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(15) (1) in subparagraph (A)— (A) by striking clause (i) and inserting the following: (i) Eligible child (I) In general The term eligible child (aa) (AA) is eligible for and receiving medical assistance under the Medicaid program; and (BB) is a member of a family with an income as measured by the Medicaid program that does not exceed, in the case of eligibility for free meals, 133 percent of the poverty line (as defined in section 673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9902(2) (bb) is a member of a household (as that term is defined in section 245.2 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)) with a child described in item (aa). (II) Other children The term eligible child 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i) (aa) on the basis of receiving aid or assistance under the State plan approved under part E of title IV of that Act ( 42 U.S.C. 670 et seq. (bb) by reason of section 473(b) of that Act ( 42 U.S.C. 673(b) (cc) under subclause (II) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i) of that Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i) ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (iii) Without further application The term without further application ; and (2) by striking subparagraphs (B) through (H) and inserting the following: (B) Agreement For the school year beginning on July 1, 2022, and each school year thereafter, each State shall enter into an agreement described in subparagraph (C) with the 1 or more State agencies conducting eligibility determinations for the Medicaid program. (C) Procedures (i) In general Subject to subparagraph (D) and paragraph (6), an agreement entered into under subparagraph (B) shall establish procedures under which an eligible child shall be certified as eligible, without further application, for— (I) free or reduced price lunch under this Act; and (II) free or reduced price breakfast under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773 (ii) Free meals Each agreement entered into under subparagraph (B) shall ensure that a child who is simultaneously eligible for reduced price meals under this paragraph or based on an income eligibility determination, and for free meals based on documentation provided under subsection (d)(2), shall be certified for free meals. (D) Certification Subject to paragraph (6), and according to an agreement entered into under subparagraph (B), the local educational agency conducting eligibility determinations under that agreement shall certify an eligible child as eligible, without further application, for— (i) free or reduced price lunch under this Act; and (ii) free or reduced price breakfast under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773 . 3. Direct certification for children receiving Social Security income (a) In general Section 9(b)(5) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(5) (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking (2)); (2))); (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking or (3) in subparagraph (E)(ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or (4) by adding at the end the following: (F) a child who receives supplemental security income payments under title XVI of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq. . (b) Data from Social Security Administration Section 9(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758(b) (16) Data from social security administration In the case of direct certification under paragraph (5) or (12)(A) of a child who receives supplemental security income payments under title XVI of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq. .

Summary: School Hunger Elimination Act of 2022 This bill revises requirements under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program of the Department of Agriculture, including by expanding mandatory direct certification of low-income children for free or reduced-price meals.