Healthy Meal Time Act of 2022
Bill: H.R.6526 | Sponsor: Rep. Schrier, Kim (D-WA)
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
Healthy Meal Time Act of 2022
This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into an agreement with an independent, nonpartisan, science-based research organization to carry out a study on the time lunches are served, the time that recess is offered, and the duration of lunch periods at schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.
USDA must also

To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require a 
 study of the time and duration of school lunch periods, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Healthy Meal Time Act of 2022''.

SEC. 2. MEAL TIME STUDY AND GUIDANCE.

    The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769) 
is amended by inserting after section 26 the following:

``SEC. 27. MEAL TIME STUDY AND GUIDANCE.

    ``(a) Study.--The Secretary shall--
            ``(1) not later than 1 year after the date on which funds 
        are first appropriated under subsection (c), enter into an 
        agreement with an independent, nonpartisan, science-based 
        research organization to carry out a study on the time lunches 
        are served, recess is offered, and the duration of lunch 
        periods at schools participating in the school lunch program 
        under this Act; and
            ``(2) not later than 4 years after the date on which funds 
        are first appropriated under subsection (c), publish on the 
        publicly available website of the Department a report that 
        includes the findings of the study required under paragraph 
        (1).
    ``(b) Development and Dissemination of Best Practices.--The 
Secretary shall--
            ``(1) not later than 1 year after the date on which the 
        report required under subsection (a)(2) is published, in 
        coordination with the Secretary of Education, establish a task 
        force to--
                    ``(A) review such report;
                    ``(B) review other research relating to the time 
                lunches are served, recess is offered, and the duration 
                of lunch periods in schools; and
                    ``(C) develop best practices with respect to the 
                time lunches are served, recess is offered, and the 
                duration of lunch periods in schools to ensure student 
                health, including appropriate nutritional intake; and
            ``(2) not later than 2 years after the date on which the 
        report required under subsection (a)(2) is published--
                    ``(A) review the best practices developed under 
                paragraph (1)(C); and
                    ``(B) issue guidance with respect to such best 
                practices to schools participating in the school lunch 
                program under this Act.
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2023, 
to remain available until expended.''.
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