Stop Child Summer Hunger Act of 2015

To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to establish a permanent, nationwide summer electronic benefits transfer for children program. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Stop Child Summer Hunger Act of 2015 2. Summer electronic benefits transfer for children program Section 13(a) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1761(a) (13) Summer electronic benefits transfer for children program (A) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) Eligible household The term eligible household Child Nutrition Act of 1966 42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq. (ii) Summer EBT card The term summer EBT card (B) Program The Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall provide to eligible households summer EBT cards for the purpose of providing access to food for children during summer months— (i) to reduce or eliminate the food insecurity and hunger of children; and (ii) to improve the nutritional status of children. (C) Use An eligible household may use a summer EBT card only to purchase food from retail food stores that have been approved for participation in the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq. 7 U.S.C. 2016(b) (D) Amount Each summer EBT card issued shall be in an amount of— (i) for calendar year 2017, $150 in food assistance per child per summer; and (ii) for each subsequent calendar year, the amount specified in clause (i) as adjusted to reflect changes in reimbursement rates for school meals under this Act between calendar year 2017 and the most recent calendar year. (E) Timing Summer EBT cards shall be issued at the end of the regular school year. (F) Funding (i) In general On October 1, 2016, and on each October 1 thereafter, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary such sums as are necessary to carry out this section, to remain available until expended. (ii) Receipt and acceptance The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this section the funds transferred under clause (i), without further appropriation. (G) Regulations (i) In general Not later than October 1, 2016, the Secretary shall issue regulations to carry out this paragraph. (ii) Requirements Regulations issued under this subparagraph shall require that— (I) children shall be eligible to participate and shall be enrolled into the program under this paragraph for a summer without further application if the children are enrolled to participate in the free or reduced price lunch program under this Act or the free or reduced price breakfast program under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq. (II) local educational agencies shall distribute to the families of all children enrolled in schools participating in programs authorized under this Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq. (aa) regarding the program authorized under this paragraph, including eligibility rules and how children in eligible households that are not automatically enrolled under subclause (I) may apply for program benefits; and (bb) to assist households receiving summer EBT cards in making healthy food choices and maximizing resources. (iii) Alternative timing (I) In general In issuing regulations under this subparagraph, the Secretary shall allow alternative plans for the timing of issuance of the summer electronic benefit cards under subparagraph (D) in any part of a State in which the school year does not include a typical summer break, on the condition that the Secretary determines that no alternative plan increases or decreases Federal costs. (II) Considerations In developing regulations under subclause (I), the Secretary shall consider the ability of a State effectively to issue benefits under an alternative schedule. .

Summary: Stop Child Summer Hunger Act of 2015 This bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require the Department of Agriculture to establish a program providing eligible households with summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards in order to give children access to food during the summer months to: (1) reduce or eliminate children's food insecurity and hunger, and (2) improve their nutritional status. An "eligible household" is a household that includes one or more children who are eligible to receive free or reduced price meals under the school lunch or breakfast programs. The amount on each summer EBT card is set at $150 per child in 2017, with adjustments thereafter reflecting changes in reimbursement rates for school meals under the school lunch program. If children are enrolled to receive free or reduced price meals under the school lunch or breakfast programs, they must be enrolled in this program without further application. Summer EBT cards may be used only to purchase food from retail food stores that have been approved for participation in the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program).