Universal School Meals Program Act of 2021

To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to make breakfasts and lunches free for all children, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Universal School Meals Program Act of 2021 (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Effective date. TITLE I—School Breakfast Program Sec. 101. Free school breakfast program. TITLE II—School Lunch Program Sec. 201. Apportionment to States. Sec. 202. Nutritional and other program requirements. Sec. 203. Special assistance program. Sec. 204. Price for a paid lunch. Sec. 205. Summer food service program for children. Sec. 206. Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children Program. Sec. 207. Child and adult care food program. Sec. 208. Meals and supplements for children in afterschool care. Sec. 209. Access to local foods: farm to school program. Sec. 210. Fresh fruit and vegetable program. Sec. 211. Training, technical assistance, and Food Service Management Institute. Sec. 212. Reimbursement of school meal delinquent debt program. Sec. 213. Conforming amendments. TITLE III—Elementary and Secondary Education Data Sec. 301. Measure of poverty. TITLE IV—Amendments to Other Programs and Laws Sec. 401. Supplemental nutrition assistance program. Sec. 402. Higher Education Act of 1965. Sec. 403. Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Sec. 404. America COMPETES Act. Sec. 405. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Sec. 406. National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002. Sec. 407. Child care and development block grant. Sec. 408. Children’s Health Act of 2000. Sec. 409. Juvenile justice and delinquency prevention. 2. Effective date Unless otherwise provided, this Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall take effect 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. I School Breakfast Program 101. Free school breakfast program (a) In general Section 4(a) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773(a) (1) by striking is hereby are (2) by inserting to provide free breakfast to all children enrolled at those schools in accordance (b) Apportionment to States Section 4(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773(b) (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking subclause (II) and inserting the following: (II) the national average payment for free breakfasts, as specified in subparagraph (B). ; (B) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: (B) Payment amounts (i) In general The national average payment for each free breakfast shall be $2.72, adjusted annually for inflation in accordance with clause (ii) and rounded in accordance with clause (iii). (ii) Inflation adjustment (I) In general The annual inflation adjustment under clause (i) shall reflect changes in the cost of operating the free breakfast program under this section, as indicated by the change in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for all urban consumers. (II) Basis Each inflation annual adjustment under clause (i) shall reflect the changes in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for the most recent 12-month period for which that data is available. (iii) Rounding On July 1, 2021, and annually thereafter, the national average payment rate for free breakfast shall be— (I) adjusted to the nearest lower-cent increment; and (II) based on the unrounded amounts for the preceding 12-month period. ; (C) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (E); and (D) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (C); (2) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3); (3) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and (4) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by striking paragraph (3) or (4) paragraph (2) (c) State disbursement to schools Section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773 (c) State disbursement to schools Funds apportioned and paid to any State for the purpose of this section shall be disbursed by the State educational agency to schools selected by the State educational agency to assist those schools in operating a breakfast program. . (d) No collection of debt (1) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1771 42 U.S.C. 1773 (A) shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal charges; and (B) shall continue to accrue debt for unpaid meal charges— (i) for the purpose of receiving reimbursement under section 212; and (ii) until the effective date specified in section 2. (2) Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (A) In general Section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773 (d) No collection of debt A school participating in the free breakfast program under this section shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal charges. . (B) Conforming amendment Section 23(a) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1793(a) school in severe need, as described in section 4(d)(1) school— (1) that has a free breakfast program under section 4 or seeks to initiate a free breakfast program under that section; and (2) of which not less than 40 percent of the students are identified students (as defined in paragraph (8) of section 1113(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6313(a) . (e) Nutritional and other program requirements Section 4(e) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773(e) (1) in paragraph (1)(A), in the second sentence, by striking free or free to all children enrolled at a school participating in the school breakfast program. (2) in paragraph (2), in the second sentence, by striking the full charge to the student for a breakfast meeting the requirements of this section or (f) Prohibition on breakfast shaming, meal denial (1) In general Effective beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, a school or school food authority— (A) shall not— (i) physically segregate or otherwise discriminate against any child participating in the breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773 (ii) overtly identify a child described in clause (i) by a special token or ticket, an announced or published list of names, or any other means; and (B) shall provide the program meal to any child eligible under the program. (2) Child Nutrition Act of 1966 Section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773 (f) Prohibition on breakfast shaming A school or school food authority shall not— (1) physically segregate or otherwise discriminate against any child participating in the free breakfast program under this section; or (2) overtly identify a child described in paragraph (1) by a special token or ticket, an announced or published list of names, or any other means. . (g) Department of Defense Overseas Dependents' Schools Section 20(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1789(b) (1) by striking and reduced-price (2) by striking and shall section (h) Conforming amendments The Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1771 (1) by striking or reduced price (2) by striking and reduced price (3) by striking a reduced price II School Lunch Program 201. Apportionment to States Section 4(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1753(b) (1) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: (2) Payment amounts (A) In general The national average payment for each free lunch shall be $3.81, adjusted annually for inflation in accordance with subparagraph (C) and rounded in accordance with subparagraph (D). (B) Additional payment for local food (i) Definition of locally-sourced farm product In this subparagraph, the term locally-sourced farm product (I) is marketed to consumers— (aa) directly; or (bb) through intermediated channels (such as food hubs and cooperatives); and (II) with respect to the school food authority purchasing the farm product, is produced and distributed— (aa) in the State in which the school food authority is located; or (bb) not more than 250 miles from the location of the school food authority. (ii) Additional payment eligibility During a school year, a school food authority shall receive an additional payment described in clause (iii) if the State certifies that the school food authority served meals (including breakfasts, lunches, suppers, and supplements) during the last school year of which not less than 25 percent were made with locally-sourced farm products. (iii) Payment amount (I) In general The additional payment amount under this subparagraph shall be— (aa) $0.30 for each free lunch and supper; (bb) $0.21 for each free breakfast; and (cc) $0.08 for each free supplement. (II) Adjustments Each additional payment amount under subclause (I) shall be adjusted annually in accordance with subparagraph (C) and rounded in accordance with subparagraph (D). (iv) Disbursement The State agency shall disburse funds made available under this clause to school food authorities eligible to receive additional reimbursement. (C) Inflation adjustment (i) In general The annual inflation adjustment under subparagraphs (A) and (B)(iii) shall reflect changes in the cost of operating the free lunch program under this Act, as indicated by the change in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for all urban consumers. (ii) Basis Each annual inflation adjustment under subparagraphs (A) and (B)(iii) shall reflect the changes in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for the most recent 12-month period for which that data is available. (D) Rounding On July 1, 2021, and annually thereafter, the national average payment rate for free lunch and the additional payment amount for free breakfast, lunch, supper, and supplement under subparagraph (B) shall be— (i) adjusted to the nearest lower-cent increment; and (ii) based on the unrounded amounts for the preceding 12-month period. ; and (2) by striking paragraph (3). 202. Nutritional and other program requirements (a) Elimination of free lunch eligibility requirements (1) In general Section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758 (b) Eligibility All children enrolled in a school that participates in the school lunch program under this Act shall be eligible to receive free lunch under this Act. . (2) Conforming amendments (A) Section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758 (i) in subsection (c), in the third sentence, by striking or at a reduced cost (ii) in subsection (e), by striking , reduced price, (B) Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1769 (i) by striking subsection (j); and (ii) by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (j). (C) Section 28(b)(4) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1769i(b)(4) (i) by striking subparagraph (B); and (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking the subparagraph designation and heading and all that follows through the Secretary The Secretary (D) Section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1786 (i) in subsection (d)(2)(A)— (I) by striking clause (i); and (II) by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively; and (ii) in subsection (f)(17), by striking Notwithstanding subsection (d)(2)(A)(i), not later Not later (E) Section 1902(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a) (7) provide safeguards which restrict the use or disclosure of information concerning applicants and recipients to purposes directly connected with the administration of the plan; . (F) Section 1154(a)(2)(A)(i) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking in accordance with section 9(b)(1) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(1) (G) Section 4301 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 ( 42 U.S.C. 1758a (b) No collection of debt (1) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1751 (A) shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal charges; and (B) shall continue to accrue debt for unpaid meal charges— (i) for the purpose of receiving reimbursement under section 213; and (ii) until the effective date specified in section 2. (2) National School Lunch Act (A) In general Section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758 (d) No collection of debt A school participating in the school lunch program under this Act shall not collect any debt owed to the school for unpaid meal charges. . (B) Conforming amendments Section 9(b)(8)(A) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(8)(A) or subsection (d) 203. Special assistance program (a) In general Section 11 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1759a (b) Conforming amendments (1) Section 6 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1755 (A) in subsection (a)(2), by striking sections 11 and 13 section 13 (B) in subsection (e)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking section 4, this section, and section 11 this section and section 4 (2) Section 7(d) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1756(d) or 11 (3) Section 8(g) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1757(g) and under section 11 of this Act (4) Section 12(f) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1760(f) 11, (5) Section 7(a) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1766(a) (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking 4, 11, and 17 4 and 17 (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking sections 4 and 11 section 4 204. Price for a paid lunch Section 12 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1760 (1) by striking subsection (p); and (2) by redesignating subsections (q) and (r) as subsections (p) and (q), respectively. 205. Summer food service program for children Section 13 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1761 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following: (C) Waiver If the Secretary determines that a program requirement under this section limits the access of children to meals served under this section, the Secretary may waive that program requirement. (D) Eligibility All children shall be eligible to participate in the program under this section. ; and (B) in paragraph (5), by striking only for for meals served to all children. (2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking may only serve migrant children (3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following: (c) Payments (1) In general Payments shall be made to service institutions for meals served— (A) during the months of May through September; (B) during school vacation at any time during an academic school year; (C) during a teacher in-service day; and (D) on days that school is closed during the months of October through April due to a natural disaster, building repair, court order, or similar cause, as determined by the Secretary. (2) Limitation on payments A service institution shall receive payments under this section for not more than 3 meals and 1 supplement per child per day. ; and (4) in subsection (f)(3), by striking , except that section 206. Summer Electronic Benefit 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 Benefit Transfer for Children Program (A) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) EBT card The term EBT card (ii) Eligible household The term eligible household (I) an income that does not exceed 200 percent of the poverty line (as defined in section 673 of the Community Services Block Grant Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9902 (II) 1 or more children. (iii) Program The term Program (B) Establishment The Secretary shall establish a national program, to be known as the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children Program (C) EBT amount (i) In general The value of an EBT card provided under the Program to an eligible household shall be $60 per month per child (adjusted for inflation). (ii) Annual limitation No eligible household shall receive benefits under the Program for more than 3 months in a calendar year. (D) Administration (i) In general Except as provided under this paragraph, the Program shall be based on the summer electronic benefit transfer for children demonstration program carried out pursuant to section 749(g) of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 ( Public Law 111–80 (ii) SNAP or WIC (I) In general Subject to subclause (II), a State shall administer the Program through the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2011 (II) WIC option If a State has participated in the demonstration program described in clause (i) before the effective date specified in section 2 of the Universal School Meals Program Act of 2021 42 U.S.C. 1786 (E) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this paragraph such sums as are necessary for fiscal year 2021 and each fiscal year thereafter. . 207. Child and adult care food program Section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1766 (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: (B) any other private organization providing nonresidential child care or day care outside school hours for school children; ; (2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following: (c) Free meals Notwithstanding any other provision of law— (1) all meals and supplements served under the program authorized under this section shall be provided for free to participants of the program; and (2) an institution that serves those meals and supplements shall be reimbursed— (A) in the case of breakfast, at the rate established for free breakfast under section 4(b)(1)(B)(i) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773(b)(1)(B)(i) (B) in the case of lunch, at the rate established for free lunch under section 4(b)(2)(A); and (C) in the case of a supplemental meal, $0.96, adjusted for inflation in accordance with section 4(b)(2)(C). ; (3) in subsection (f)— (A) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: (B) Limitation to reimbursements An institution may claim reimbursement under this paragraph for not more than 3 meals and 1 supplement per day per child. ; and (B) by striking paragraph (3); and (4) in subsection (r)— (A) in the subsection heading, by striking Program for at-risk school children Afterschool meal and snack program (B) by striking at-risk school eligible (C) in paragraph (1)— (i) in the paragraph heading, by striking at-risk school eligible (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking operated (D) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking only for for— (i) not more than 1 meal and 1 supplement per child per day served on a regular school day; and (ii) not more than 3 meals and 1 supplement per child per day served on any day other than a regular school day. . 208. Meals and supplements for children in afterschool care Section 17A of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1766a (1) in the section heading, by striking Meal supplements Meals and supplements (2) in subsection (a)(1), by striking meal supplements free meals and supplements (3) in subsection (b), by inserting meals and supplements (4) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following: (c) Reimbursement (1) In general (A) Meals A free meal provided under this section to a child shall be reimbursed at a rate of $3.81, adjusted annually for inflation in accordance with paragraph (3)(A) and rounded in accordance with paragraph (3)(B). (B) Supplements A free supplement provided under this section to a child shall be reimbursed at the rate at which free supplements are reimbursed under section 17(c)(2)(C). (2) Limitation to reimbursements An institution may claim reimbursement under this section for not more than 1 meal and 1 supplement per day per child served on a regular school day. (3) Inflation; rounding (A) Inflation adjustment (i) In general The annual inflation adjustment under paragraph (1)(A) shall reflect changes in the cost of operating the program under this section, as indicated by the change in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for all urban consumers. (ii) Basis Each inflation annual adjustment under paragraph (1)(A) shall reflect the changes in the Consumer Price Index for food away from home for the most recent 12-month period for which that data is available. (B) Rounding On July 1, 2021, and annually thereafter, the reimbursement rate for a free meal under this section shall be— (i) adjusted to the nearest lower-cent increment; and (ii) based on the unrounded amounts for the preceding 12-month period. . 209. Access to local foods: farm to school program Section 18(g)(5) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1769(g)(5) (B) serve a high proportion of identified students (as defined in paragraph (8) of section 1113(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6313(a) . 210. Fresh fruit and vegetable program Section 19(d) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1769a(d) (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking paragraph (2) of this subsection and (B) in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking school— submits school that submits (C) in subparagraph (B), by striking schools Act high-need schools (as defined in section 2211(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6631(b) (D) in subparagraph (D)— (i) by striking clause (i); and (ii) by redesignating clauses (ii) through (iv) as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively; and (2) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the following: (2) Outreach to high-need schools Prior to making decisions regarding school participation in the program, a State agency shall inform high-need schools (as defined in section 2211(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6631(b) . 211. Training, technical assistance, and Food Service Management Institute Section 21(a)(1)(B) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1769b–1(a)(1)(B) certified to receive free or reduced price meals who are identified students (as defined in paragraph (8) of section 1113(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6313(a) 212. Reimbursement of school meal delinquent debt program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Delinquent debt The term delinquent debt (A) as of the effective date specified in section 2; and (B) for meals served by the school under— (i) the school breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1773 (ii) the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1751 (iii) both of the programs described in clauses (i) and (ii). (2) Program The term program (3) Secretary The term Secretary (b) Reimbursement program (1) Establishment Not later than 60 days after the effective date specified in section 2, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall reimburse each school participating in a program described in clause (i) or (ii) of subsection (a)(1)(B) for all delinquent debt. (2) Form for reimbursement To carry out the program, the Secretary shall design and distribute a form to State agencies to collect data on all delinquent debt in applicable schools in the State, grouped by school food authority. (3) Completion date The Secretary shall provide all reimbursements under the program not later than 180 days after the effective date specified in section 2. (c) Report Not later than 2 years after the effective date specified in section 2, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress and make publicly available a report that describes the successes and challenges of the program. 213. Conforming amendments The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1751 (1) by striking or reduced price (2) by striking or a reduced price (3) by striking and reduced price (4) by striking a reduced price III Elementary and Secondary Education Data 301. Measure of poverty Section 1113(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6313(a) (1) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking the number of children eligible for a free or reduced price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1751 the number of identified students (2) by adding at the end the following: (8) Identified students defined (A) In general In this subsection, the term identified students (i) who are— (I) homeless children and youths, as defined under section 725(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11434a(2) (II) runaway and homeless youth served by programs established under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act ( 34 U.S.C. 11201 (III) migratory children, as defined under section 1309; or (IV) foster children; (ii) who are eligible for and receiving medical assistance under the program of medical assistance established under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 (iii) who participate (or who are part of a household that participates) in at least one of the following: (I) The supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2011 (II) A State program funded under the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families established under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 601 (III) The food distribution program on Indian reservations established under section 4(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2013(b) (IV) A Head Start program authorized under the Head Start Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9831 (B) Multiplier In determining the number of identified students under subparagraph (A), the local educational agency shall multiply the number determined under such subparagraph by 1.6. . IV Amendments to Other Programs and Laws 401. Supplemental nutrition assistance program (a) Agreement for direct certification (1) In general Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2020 (A) by striking subsection (u); and (B) by redesignating subsections (v) through (x) as subsections (u) through (w), respectively. (2) Conforming amendments Section 11(e) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2020(e) (A) in paragraph (8)(F), by striking or subsection (u) (B) in paragraph (26)(B), by striking (x) (w) (b) Nutrition education and obesity prevention grant program Section 28(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2036a(a) (1) an individual eligible for benefits under this Act; . 402. Higher Education Act of 1965 (a) Teacher quality enhancement Subparagraph (A) of section 200(11) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1021(11) (A) In general The term high-need school (i) The percentage of students aged 5 through 17 in poverty counted in the most recent census data approved by the Secretary. (ii) The percentage of students in families receiving assistance under the State program funded under the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families established under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 601 (iii) The percentage of students eligible to receive medical assistance under the program of medical assistance established under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 (iv) A composite of two or more of the measures described in clauses (i) through (iii). . (b) GEAR Up Subparagraph (A) of section 404B(d)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a–22(d)(1) (A) provide services under this chapter to at least one grade level of students, beginning not later than 7th grade, in a participating school— (i) that has a 7th grade; and (ii) in which— (I) at least 50 percent of the students enrolled are identified students (as defined in section 1113(a)(8) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965); or (II) if an eligible entity determines that it would promote the effectiveness of a program, an entire grade level of students, beginning not later than the 7th grade, reside in public housing, as defined in section 3(b)(1) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(1) . (c) Simplified needs test Section 479(d)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1087ss(d)(2) (1) by striking subparagraph (C); and (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) through (F) as subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively. (d) Early Federal Pell Grant commitment demonstration program Section 894(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1161y(b) (1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking qualify for a free or reduced price school lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1751 42 U.S.C. 1771 are identified students (as defined in section 1113(a)(8) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) (2) in paragraph (5), by striking eligible for a free or reduced price school lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1751 42 U.S.C. 1771 identified students (as defined in section 1113(a)(8) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) 403. Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (a) Literacy education for all Section 2221(b)(3)(B) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6641(b)(3)(B) (1) by striking clause (i); and (2) by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively. (b) Grants for education innovation and research Section 4611(d)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7261(d)(2) (1) by striking subparagraph (B); and (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively. (c) Eligibility for heavily impacted local educational agencies Item (bb) of section 7003(b)(2)(B)(i)(III) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7703(b)(2)(B)(i)(III) (bb) has an enrollment of children described in subsection (a)(1) that constitutes a percentage of the total student enrollment of the agency that is not less than 30 percent; or . 404. America COMPETES Act Section 6122(3) of the America COMPETES Act ( 20 U.S.C. 9832(3) data on children eligible for free or reduced-price lunches under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, 405. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Section 3(36)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3102(36)(A) (1) by striking clause (iv); and (2) by redesignating clauses (v) and (vi) as clauses (iv) and (v), respectively. 406. National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 Section 4(8) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 ( 42 U.S.C. 1862n (1) by striking subparagraph (A); and (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively. 407. Child care and development block grant Section 658O(b) of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858m(b) (1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking school lunch factor identified students factor (2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following: (3) Identified students factor The term identified students factor 20 U.S.C. 6313(a) . 408. Children’s Health Act of 2000 Section 1404(b) of the Children’s Health Act of 2000 ( 42 U.S.C. 9859c(b) (1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking school lunch factor identified students factor (2) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows: (3) Identified students factor In this subsection, the term identified students factor 20 U.S.C. 6313(a) . 409. Juvenile justice and delinquency prevention Section 252(i) of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 ( 34 U.S.C. 11162(i) (i) Free school lunches for incarcerated juveniles (1) In general A juvenile who is incarcerated in an eligible juvenile detention center is eligible to receive free lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1751 (2) Guidance Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the Universal School Meals Program Act of 2021 42 U.S.C. 1751 (3) Eligible juvenile detention center defined In this subsection, the term eligible juvenile detention center .

Summary: Universal School Meals Program Act of 2021 This bill revises requirements under the food and nutrition programs of the Department of Agriculture, such as the school lunch and breakfast programs. For example, the bill permanently provides free meals to all school children regardless of income. The bill increases the reimbursement rate for school food authorities participating in the food and nutrition programs. The bill also prohibits school food authorities from (1) physically segregating or otherwise discriminating against any child participating in the free breakfast program, or (2) overtly identifying a child participating in the program with a special token or announcement. Additionally, the bill expands the summer food service program by making all children eligible for participation in the program. Further, the bill revises eligibility determinations for measuring poverty to include runaway or homeless youth, foster children, migratory children, and children participating in specified programs (e.g., Head Start).