School MEALS Act of 2021

To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to improve direct certification, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the School Modernization and Efficient Access to Lunches for Students Act of 2021 School MEALS Act of 2021 2. Expanding direct certification Section 9(b)(4)(F)(iii)(II)(bb) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(4)(F)(iii)(II)(bb)) is amended by inserting in not more than 3 school years measures 3. Direct certification improvement grants and technical assistance Section 9(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758(b) (16) Direct certification improvement grants and technical assistance (A) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (I) a State agency; and (II) a Tribal organization. (ii) Indian Tribe The term Indian Tribe Indian tribe 25 U.S.C. 5304 (iii) Rate of direct certification The term rate of direct certification (iv) Tribal organization The term Tribal organization tribal organization 25 U.S.C. 5304 (B) Grants (i) In general The Secretary shall provide grants to eligible entities that administer the school lunch program under this Act to improve the rate of direct certification in the State in which the eligible entity is located. (ii) Priority In providing grants under clause (i), the Secretary shall give priority to States and Tribal organizations with the lowest rates of direct certification. (iii) Use of funds An eligible entity that receives a grant under clause (i) shall use the grant funds to pay costs relating to improving the rate of direct certification in the State or Indian Tribe, as applicable, including the cost of— (I) improving technology relating to direct certification; (II) providing technical assistance to local educational agencies; (III) newly implementing or revising a direct certification system or process in the State (including at local educational agencies in the State) or Indian Tribe, including the cost of equipment; and (IV) coordinating with multiple public benefits programs to increase the rate of direct certification, including by conducting feasibility studies and demonstration projects under section 18(c). (C) Food Distribution Program on Indian reservations (i) In general The Secretary shall provide grants to States and Tribal organizations administering the food distribution program on Indian reservations under section 4(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2013(b) (I) in the case of a Tribal organization, if applicable, to establish a rate of direct certification of children that are members of households receiving assistance under that program; or (II) to improve the rate of direct certification of children that are members of households receiving assistance under that program. (ii) Use of funds A State or Tribal organization receiving a grant under this subparagraph shall use the funds to pay the costs described in subparagraph (B)(iii). (D) Technical assistance The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to assist the recipients of grants under subparagraphs (B) and (C), and other eligible entities, as appropriate, in improving the rates of direct certification. (E) Funding (i) In general On October 1, 2022, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary to carry out this paragraph $28,000,000, to remain available until expended. (ii) Food Distribution Program on Indian reservations Of the funds transferred to the Secretary under clause (i), the Secretary shall use not less than $2,000,000 to carry out subparagraph (C). (iii) Technical assistance Of the funds transferred to the Secretary under clause (i), the Secretary shall use not more than $3,000,000 to carry out subparagraph (D). (iv) Receipt and acceptance The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this paragraph the funds transferred under clause (i), without further appropriation. . 4. Enhancing the community eligibility option Section 11(a)(1)(F) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1759a(a)(1)(F) (1) in clause (iv)— (A) in subclause (I)(bb)— (i) by striking as of April 1 of the prior school year during the period beginning on April 1 of the prior school year and ending on the last day of that school year (ii) by striking as of April 1 of the school year prior subparagraph during the period beginning on April 1 of the covered school year and ending on the last day of the covered school year (B) by adding at the end the following: (III) Definition of covered school year In this clause, the term covered school year ; and (2) in clause (x)— (A) in subclause (I), by striking for the next school year if, not later than June 30 of the current school year, if (B) in subclause (II)(aa), by inserting , based on counts conducted by schools of identified students beginning on or after April 1 of that school year, clause (viii) (C) in subclause (IV)(aa), by inserting , based on counts conducted by schools of identified students beginning on or after April 1 of that school year, clause (viii) 5. Enhancing direct certification Section 9(b)(15)(B)(ii)(III) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(15)(B)(ii)(III) 10 20 6. State performance on enrolling children receiving program benefits for free school meals Section 4301(b) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 ( 42 U.S.C. 1758a(b) (1) in paragraph (2), by striking and (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (4) in the case of a State identified under clause (ii)(I) of section 9(b)(4)(F) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(4)(F) (A) the technical assistance provided to the State; and (B) the progress made by the State in implementing the measures and meeting the goals described in items (aa) through (cc) of clause (iii)(II) of that section. .

Summary: School Modernization and Efficient Access to Lunches for Students Act of 2021 or the School MEALS Act of 2021 This bill establishes programs and revises requirements relating to direct certification processes for the National School Lunch Program. Direct certification allows schools to use data matching procedures to approve school meals without the need for applications for children who receive assistance under other programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program). Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Agriculture to provide grants and technical assistance for states and tribal organizations to improve their direct certification processes, including with respect to children who receive assistance under a food distribution program on Indian reservations. The bill also expands the time frame for schools to elect and gather eligibility data for the Community Eligibility Provision that permits schools in high-poverty areas to serve free meals to all enrolled students without the need for applications.